WDA allots $2.7 million for security industry trainings

Government wants to boost the quality of the security professionals in Singapore.

In a release, the Workforce Development Agency said it will set aside $2.7 million to provide an additional 2,500 security officers with the opportunities to upgrade and gain specialised skills through new training programmes under the Security Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework and help employers defray training costs.

Three new programme partners, APRO Training Centre, AETOS Training Academy and KnowledgeTree Training Centre have been appointed to run training programmes.

Also, two new Security WSQ modules on security screening will be available for screening professionals, and will be made mandatory by the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD) for security officers performing specialised security screening functions. 

This new initiative by WDA and the PLRD allows security officers, especially those who are largely involved in screening procedures at highly secure places such as airports, to be equipped with the relevant skills so that they are able to perform quality security checks and to better detect dangerous weapons.

“Security professionals play a vital role in ensuring Singapore’s and Singaporeans’ safety and well-being. Therefore, it is essential that they are always equipped with the most advanced knowledge and competencies against the backdrop of an increasingly unpredictable climate. WDA is therefore pleased to work closely with partners from the private and public sectors to upgrade the skills of our security professionals, and will continue to do so to ensure that Singapore’s safety is not compromised,” said Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Chief Executive, WDA.

The two WSQ modules are namely, “Conduct Security Screening on Persons and Bags”; and “Conduct Security Screening using X-ray machines” and will be offered under the Certificate for WSQ Security Operations programme. The ‘Conduct Security Screening on Persons and Bags’ module is for security officers handling Hand-Held or Walk-Through Metal Detectors. The latter module, `Conduct Security Screening using X-ray machines’ is for security officers operating X-ray machines. The two specialised modules will enhance the security officers’ competencies to effectively perform security screening using these specialised equipment.