The NZSA has been invited by MBIE to make a security industry submission on this year’s minimum wage review, refer to the MBIE_letter.
To ensure that we are representing our members effectively and correctly, we would welcome input from members by completing the MBIE_minimum wage questionnaire and returning to us at [email protected] by no later than Monday 12 October.
Thank you for your assistance.
Kind regards,
Gary
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are looking for suitably qualified and experienced Security Guard and associated services throughout New Zealand. They are looking for multiple suppliers across the geographical spread and are open to suppliers collaborating together to provide services across a range of regions.
The range of services include:
MBIE is looking for credible suppliers who can offer high quality security services that have a proven background on delivering similar services, and can evidence their staff have current certification and ongoing training development. It is important that MBIE are meeting broader outcomes in improving conditions for New Zealand workers and increasing access for New Zealand business.
Regions to be covered are:
Members are directed to GETS (Government Electronic Tender Service) for RFP details.
From the NZSA Team
Police have released a strategy to assist owners and operators increase the safety, protection and resilience of crowded places across New Zealand.
Protecting Our Crowded Places from Attack: New Zealand’s Strategy sets out a consistent approach to promote the safety of crowded places. It explains what crowded places are, the risks they pose, and how businesses, event organisers, sports clubs, charities, community and religious groups, central government agencies and local government can help to keep people safe. The strategy highlights that:
– As New Zealanders we need to work together to protect ourselves against the possibility of an attack to ensure the safety of those working in, using and visiting crowded places.
– Owners and operators of crowded places have a particular responsibility to ensure protective security measures are in place as part of their emergency planning and health and safety practices.
The strategy sets out a consistent approach to protecting crowded places throughout New Zealand. It introduces guidelines and tools to help owners and operators of crowded places reduce the chance of an attack occurring, and lessen its consequences, using methods that are proportionate to the threat. It will help owners and operators to:
– better understand how to Deter, Detect, Delay and Respond to an attack,
– conduct self-assessments of the risks of an attack at their location or event, and
– assess the appropriate level of protective security needed.
What else is happening?
– The Police want everyone to know and understand a simple message in case they are involved in an attack at a crowded place: ESCAPE. HIDE. TELL. Posters in 15 languages for display at appropriate sites are available on their website.
– Building stronger partnerships and better information-sharing are key elements of the strategy. National advisory groups, representing businesses and communities will be established to facilitate collaboration, with the objective to increase the capacity across New Zealand to Deter, Detect, Delay and Respond to an attack or similar incident.
– The strategy, guidelines, planning tools and answers to common questions are available on the website.
Please share this information with your staff, any organisations that you engage with, friends and family.
In an emergency everyone should call 111.
If you want to report suspicious or unusual behavior:
– Complete a report at https://www.police.govt.nz/105support or call Police’s non-emergency number 105
– Visit your nearest Police station
– Phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
To report information of national security concern, contact the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service on 0800 747 224 or complete an online form at https://providinginformation.nzsis.govt.nz.
Multiple agencies have contributed to the strategy, representing many sectors that have specialist expertise in this area. There is collective agreement on the content and approach outlined in the strategy and associated documentation. Contributing agencies in the Crowded Places Advisory Group are:
– Combined Threat Assessment Group
– Department of Internal Affairs
– Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
– Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
– Ministry of Transport
– New Zealand Police
– New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
– Protective Security Requirements
– Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency
Keep safe.
From the NZSA team.
Hiring workers as either employees or contractors can be lawful provided that the correct type of working arrangement is used in each situation. Employees work for you while contractors work for themselves.
You need to know whether your worker is an employee or a contractor because your responsibilities as a business will be very different. The courts have developed some legal tests to help you tell the difference.
How to decide – the legal test
– Intention test – what the parties intended relationship will be.
– Control vs independence test – the greater the control exercised over the worker the more likely they are an employee.
– Integration test – if the work performed by the worker is fundamental to the organisation they are more likely to be an employee.
– Fundamental/economic reality test – looking at the full circumstances of the work relationship to determine its economic reality.
Consequences of getting it wrong
If you hire someone as a contractor when they are actually an employee you may be liable for many costs. These potentially include unpaid PAYE, minimum wages, holidays and leave entitlements, penalties from Inland Revenue and/or penalties from the Employment Relations Authority, and being banned from bringing in workers from overseas. Also, you may get negative publicity that could harm your customer goodwill, reputation and potentially the value of your business.
For more information please see the Inland Revenue update.
As a member you can also contact Livewire HR for further advice:
Phone: HR LIVE (0800 475 483)
Email [email protected]
Welcome to our September 2020 newsletter.
Similar to many of my associates and colleagues, I take great pride in our industry and the people who work within it.
Over the last six months I have observed the industry as a whole, including employers and employees, stand up and deliver essential services to a high standard despite what have been extremely difficult economic and social conditions.
My views were further reinforced by the number of quality nominations that we received for the Covid-19 Guardian Awards and the New Zealand Security Awards over recent months.
I have found it very difficult and challenging therefore to deal with and respond to the recent negative coverage targeted at the industry in relation to the provision of security services at the Managed Isolation Facilities (MIF’s).
There is absolutely no doubt that perceptions and opinions, be it of politicians, the press or the public, are influenced by wider issues and events that are largely inconsequential to the matter at hand. In our situation we faced a backdrop of major shortfalls and deficiencies in the delivery of private security providers in Melbourne. The security model used in Melbourne was however significantly different to that used in New Zealand – in Melbourne all security at the MIF’s was delivered by three private security providers using a multitude of subcontractors. Locally, private security makes up approximately 25% of those on site at the MIF’s and services are delivered by a number of providers rather than subcontractors.
Opinion was also influenced by regular press reports of guards being found asleep and working dual roles as uber drivers. The reality is that there was a handful of security staff caught sleeping early in the commencement of services, several of whom were employed by Aviation Security, but allegations of staff working dual roles appear to be unfounded. What also goes unseen and unrecognised are the efforts made by security providers to address any shortfalls and seek continuous improvement, such as implementing 15-minute welfare checks during night hours and implementing new technology to monitor staff locations and welfare.
Whilst supporting the efforts of our providers and their staff, I am also aware that there is a need to accept and acknowledge that there is much that the industry needs to do if we are to change existing perceptions and consistently deliver a quality level of service.
It is evident that a significant number of private security staff working at the MIF’s are still on their blue “temporary” licenses. Whilst some of these staff will have had delivery of the green “full” licenses delayed by Covid-19 restrictions, the reality is that many will not have completed the mandatory training requirements since commencing employment. This is not acceptable and must be addressed urgently by those security providers concerned.
Similarly, there is a clear need for some security providers to lift their recruitment standards and processes to ensure that workers are fit for purpose. This also includes electronic security providers and the need to cultivate and develop new entrants into the industry rather than the traditional bringing in workers from overseas and poaching between providers.
From an association perspective it is clear that we need to further improve our relationship with government and government agencies and to look at strategies and initiatives that will further promote best practice within the security industry.
The events over the last six months haven’t dented my pride in the industry but they have been a timely reminder that while we have achieved a lot over recent years, we still have much to achieve.
New Zealand Security Awards
Due to Covid-19 restrictions this year’s event was live streamed on the NZSA website from the Vidcom recording studio in central Auckland. Our MC Te Radar was again superb in the role and together with DJ Lo Key brought a high level of professionalism and entertainment to the evening.
Our winners on the evening are provided later within the newsletter but congratulations to all who were nominated and to those who took the time to submit nominations.
Our viewing statistics show 290 live views and 150 post-event on demand views, however with the number of employer hosted parties with multiple viewers it is probable that individual viewer numbers were well in excess of 750 – a fantastic number by all measures. It is our intention, restrictions allowing, to host next year’s event at the Christchurch Town Hall but with live streaming of the awards presentation so that we can involve those unable to be present on the night.
Special mention and thanks to our Event Sponsor – Gallagher, Support Partner – Skills and all of our Award category sponsors.
New Zealand Security Good Practice Guideline
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, the Good Practice Guideline was launched in June. It has been very pleasing to receive positive feedback on the document from a range of stakeholders including security providers, training organisations, industry customers and government agencies. We currently have a working group developing an additional section specific to Event Security and expect to have it available for release within the next few months.
NZSA member benefit programmes
This year we have launched four new benefit programmes, once specifically targeted around business advice and support re Covid-19, however the others are intended to provide long term and quantifiable benefit and value to our members.
Each of the HR Advisory Service, Speak Up Line and Business Continuity Plan benefits are provided free of charge to our members and with the intention of ensuring our members have access to best practice advice and support across areas that are critical to business.
For more information on member benefits please refer to later details within this newsletter.
Virtual reality training platform
This is a joint initiative between the NZSA and MSD and whilst the development of the VR training platform for delivery of the COA mandatory training has taken some time, it is nearing completion and we are still confident of an October launch.
We have had the opportunity to view screen versions of the first cuts from the virtual reality scenarios and even without the benefit of the headsets that fully immerse the learner in the situation, the training delivery provides a marked difference and improvement on the role play simulations traditionally used for training purposes.
The next few months will involve further input from a small group of subject matter experts, including Skills, to ensure both content and delivery are 100% throughout. We will also be formalising the rollout programme and pricing models.
Watch out for further announcements over the coming month!
MSD and NZSA Skills for Industry Programme
As advised in our last newsletter, we are pleased to have signed a new contract with MSD under the Skills for Industry initiative that will see the NZSA team tasked with placing 200 candidates into full-time employment within the security industry over the coming year.
A key change in our contract sees our focus shift from working with those on benefits, to the newly unemployed, or likely to become unemployed, due to the impacts of Covid-19. Many of the candidates we are now working with have come from roles within the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors and they bring with them considerable customer service ethos and skills.
We can also announce that following the launch of the VR training platform, the NZSA will ensure that all candidates receive their mandatory training on the platform and have their full licence, at our cost, as part of the placement service.
If you require any staff on a full-time basis (30+ hours per week), contact Andrea at [email protected] to discuss how the programme works and the support payments that we can offer to assist with additional training and induction costs.
Security career pathway website
Our work with candidates seeking employment opportunities has highlighted an industry weakness in that we have very limited resources that talk to the different roles and opportunities that exist within the security industry, or the career pathways that can be followed.
For many individuals, mention of the security industry immediately brings to mind a mental picture of a burly guard outside a bank or tackling a pitch invader at a football match.
This detracts from our ability to attract a diverse and skilled workforce that can meet our resource demands going forward, including our ability to attract school leavers and graduates.
The NZSA is currently working to develop a stand-alone website, securitycareers.co.nz, that will provide a comprehensive and structured introduction to roles within the industry and career pathways. It will also include information on skill set requirements, training requirements and options, indicative pay scales and possible pathways into other industry sectors such as Corrections, Police and cyber. Development timelines are still be to finalised however we are confident of a launch this calendar year.
As you can see, we have a lot on the go currently with the VR training platform and career pathways website development but I’m sure you’ll agree that these will provide a significant step forward for the industry and hopefully go some way towards influencing public perceptions and lifting service delivery standards as mentioned within my opening comments.
As always, we welcome all comments and feedback.
Keep safe and well.
Gary Morrison
CEO
Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year
Jeremy Horne, Alarm Watch
The recipient of this year’s Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year is Jeremy Horne of Alarm Watch. Jeremy had multiple letters of recommendation sent in, all highly praising his fantastic work ethic, incredible knowledge and outstanding service.
Accolades flooded in from customers and colleagues alike, who spoke highly of their interactions with Jeremy and the time and care he dedicates to each customer. Described as always professional, polite, efficient and trustworthy, he is known by name and reputation by almost every bureau he works with. His enthusiasm for his work hasn’t waned, even after 16 years on the job.
A true team player, Jeremy makes it his goal to absorb knowledge and impart this on to others to help them succeed. He has selflessly devoted himself to improving the work ethic and skills of those around him by teaching others to find passion in their work and to never stop reaching to upskill and learn new things.
Such high praise and dedication cannot be overlooked and it is our pleasure to say congratulations to Jeremy!
2020 Award winners
Congratulations to all the winners of the New Zealand Security Awards:
Cash Services Professional of the Year
Ben Carr – Armourguard Security
Communication Centre Operator of the Year
Jeremy Horne – Alarm Watch Ltd
Customer Champion of the Year
Dee Wakelin – Red Badge Group
Design and Support Electronic Sector Professional of the Year
Matt Collins – Advanced Security Group
Electronic Trainee of the Year
Mikee McLeod – Advanced Security Group
Guarding Sector Trainee of the Year
Vicky Roberts – Red Badge Group
Install and Service Electronic Sector (Corporate) Technician of the Year
Blair Courtier – Advanced Security Group
Install and Service Electronic Sector (SME) Technician of the Year
Zane Stephenson – Alliance Fire & Security
Michael Pepper Award for Outstanding Security Training Initiative
Hard Target
Outstanding New Product or Service of the Year
Gallagher – Proximity and Contact Training Report
Outstanding Skills for Industry Employee of the Year
Knikita Tarawa – Red Badge Group
Outstanding Staff Retention/Staff Development Programme
Advanced Security Group
Patrol Officer of the Year
Michael McCormack – Matrix Security Group Ltd
Security Administrator of the Year
Sabrina Crowe – Red Badge Group
Security Consultant of the Year
Andy Gollings – Red Badge Group
Security Integrator of the Year
Mark Chessum – Advanced Security Group
Security Officer of the Year
Anton Kritzinger – Armourguard Security
Security Supervisor/Operations Manager of the Year
Simon Ward – Red Badge Group
Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year
Jeremy Peake – Advanced Security Group
Visionary Leadership Award
Hayden George – Advanced Security Group
Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year
Jeremy Horne – Alarm Watch
Submitted by Andy Gollings, Chairperson
The Special Interest Group for Security Training and Professional Development within the security industry was able to convene on Friday 28 August. Given the restrictions in place this was a shortened zoom call but great to see wide representation at a busy time for our industry. We focused on gathering as much information as we could to share with the industry and also started assessing the survey results.
Conflict management training – Skills approved trainers
Skills have published a list of approved security instructors for conflict management (COA) training, which is available on their website. It is important that security providers ensure those providing their training are approved, as non-approved trainers will not be able to register NZQA credits on trainee records of learning.
Security industry training survey
In July the NZSA conducted a survey of industry stakeholders seeking feedback on a range of industry training based questions. The response was very pleasing with 97 responses from a wide cross-section of industry providers, trainers and customers.
Due to Covid-19 related distractions we are still analysing the data, however several key responses include:
– 54% of respondents state they are NOT fully aware of training available within the industry.
– 77% of respondents state current industry training either only partly meets industry needs (48%) or does not meet industry needs (29%).
– 32% of respondents state that the accessibility of industry training is a significant barrier to the effective delivery of training.
– 35% of respondents state that funding is a barrier to the effective delivery of training.
– 92% of respondents would like the capability to train and assess staff internally.
– 80% of respondents support the introduction of a refresher training requirement in conjunction with the five yearly COA licence renewal.
These are concerning statistics which demonstrate that our industry has a significant opportunity to improve and a need for greater collaboration to ensure that we do so.
COA resource refresh
Skills are in the process of completing a refresh of the COA training resources and train the trainer resources. The refresh is largely focused on addressing minor issues, creating a better flow, making the materials easier to read and providing clarity on document use for learners and assessors. The date for release of the refreshed resources is still to be confirmed but expected to be within the next one or two months.
Call centre qualifications
The NZ Certificate in Contact Centre (NZCiCC) Level 3 qualification is available for delivery to Monitoring Centre Operators, including those new to their roles and more experienced operators. The qualification covers core skills such as techniques for listening, technical skills and how to gather information with content specific to a monitoring centre environment.
The qualification is delivered in-house at a cost of $350 + gst using an external assessor or $150 + gst for those with approved internal assessors.
For more information contact [email protected].
Comments from the Chair
Over recent times we have seen demand for security services grow. This has seen people repurposed from other industries who are stepping up and helping us raise the standards.
Key users of security services appear to be seeing the value in paying a living wage. This is an area of opportunity for our industry to make a significant shift. If we are able to create real career pathways and have security staff see the value in growing within the industry, we will be able to provide that trusted level of professional security officer that New Zealand needs. We need to work together to improve the conditions and opportunities available to our teams and in return demand the professionalism that our clients expect.
We are committed to raising industry standards and your feedback and input is essential. Please direct any questions or concerns that you have to the NZSA so that we can work together to ensure our customers and our staff are provided the quality support that they deserve.
A small research team from the AUT school of Sport and Recreation is working in partnership with the Ranfurly Veterans Trust to help identify and improve the health and wellbeing of those in post-service employment in New Zealand, especially those aged between 25-50.
They are currently reviewing and redesigning the current weserved.nz website so that it meets the needs of those who served in the NZ Army, Navy or Airforce during the years 2000 to 2020.
To achieve their goals they are looking to engage with as many contemporary veterans as possible, to partake in focus groups or one-on-one interviews, where they get to share their personal experiences and expectations of life post-service.
If you would like to participate in the survey, or have any employees who may be interested, please contact Richard Wright at Auckland University of Technology at [email protected].
Advanced Security currently have government contracts that need to be fulfilled.
If you know of any technicians that may be out or work, or business owners that may need to lay off staff, please contact Hayden George, General Manager of Advanced Security, who would be interested in a conversation.
Please contact [email protected] to discuss.
Please note that the NZSA are happy to promote similar communications from members actively seeking additional staffing.
NZSA Speak Up Line
The NZSA Speak Up Line is free to members and provides access to a confidential service where staff can report issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, poor employment conditions, illegal practices such as theft or drug dealing and other matters of concern that may be occurring in the workplace and not being reported.
Phone 0800 775 775
Online reports www.integrityline-nz.org
The NZSA will provide posters, business-sized card to go into wallets, stickers and introductory letters for your staff. They are designed for members to include their own corporate branding prior to distribution.
The service is particularly valuable where employees may be reluctant to speak up or report matters due to fears that by doing so it may affect their employment or risk further victimisation.
It is also important to note that such services meet government procurement requirements around providing a voice for staff.
This service is provided by Crimestoppers who obviously have considerable experience in handling sensitive calls in a confidential manner. They log the calls or online reports and forward to the NZSA for further investigation if required. The staff member can remain anonymous if they wish to do so.
Register for the NZSA Speak Up Line by emailing [email protected]. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
NZSA HR Advisory Service
NZSA is partnered with Livewire HR to provide access to free HR advice as well as templated key documents and policies.
There are testimonials below from some members who have utilised the service:
“We have used Livewire for a while now and the documents are great to use and easy to download and save. We have implemented some policies based on the designed ones here and have good responses from our team. We will continue to use them for a long time to come. Would highly recommend.”
“I had a very good experience with Livewirehr, especially with Rebecca. She was approachable and patient with our questions. The advisory service is a big help and I would recommend using this great service”.
“When we had inquiries the response was very quick and super helpful. Some the security companies do not have a big HR team or Lawyer team and this is such a great service to use if something out of the ordinary appears and you want to be sure you are working within the regulations.”
Call HR LIVE (0800 475 483)
Email [email protected]
Business Continuity Planning
NZSA is partnered with BCP Builder to provide access to a free Business Continuity Plan Template.
Members who join BCP Builder will be able to create their own personalised Business Continuity Plan following the simple instructions and training available through the BCP Builder website.
BCP Builder is based on the Business Continuity Institute Good Practice Guidelines and the requirements of ISO 22301. This means you can write your plan with confidence, knowing that you are meeting all requirements.
Members can request a BCP Builder discount code by emailing [email protected]. This will give you access to a free BCP Builder subscription to prepare your business continuity plan. Please note that this benefit is available for corporate and associate company members only.
Communication in the Workplace – an NZSA HR Advisory Service update
If communication feels a bit like this at work sometimes then you are not alone!
Hearing others accurately, and in turn getting your meaning across, can sometimes feel like you’re running in circles. Yet good communication is so important as it is a sign of a high-performing workplace. Meaning, that if employers and employees don’t know what each other are saying or aren’t speaking up, then workplace performance is suffering.
For more information about this topic please see the Livewire HR blog.
If you have any workplace questions, the NZSA HR Advisory service can assist.
Phone: HR LIVE (0800 475 483)
Email: [email protected]
The NZSA has received a delivery from the Ministry of Health for face masks from government stocks. These masks are Ministry of Health approved for essential services.
The masks are available to order in boxes of 50. The price of one box is $50 + gst plus the cost of delivery to your premises.
If you would like to place an order can you please email us at [email protected] with your requirements.
Scholarships of up to $5,000 for current and aspiring female leaders
Scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 are currently available to women working in the security sector to help support their participation in a range of online career building leadership development programmes.
The initiative is providing junior through to executive women managers with scholarships to support their growth and development via participation in one of three flagship courses. Participants will benefit from course content such as Emotional Intelligence and Conflict, Career and Professional Growth, Team Dynamics, Leading Innovation and Change, and Empowering Teams.
Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form prior to Friday 11 September: Women and Leadership.
Xero are offering access to free and confidential counselling, support and resources to their subscribers, their staff and their families.
Whilst the NZSA does not usually promote a non-member benefit or product we believe that at this time people need all the support that is available to them. Many of you may already be using the software and may not be aware of the access to this service. To access the Xero Assistance Programme please see their website
We welcome the following new Corporate Members:
– ADS Security Ltd
– Impact Alarms Ltd
– Lion Mode Security Ltd
– Nextro LP
And the following new Associate Individual members:
– Dean Chandler
– Paddy Browne
– Ryan Jones
Annual General Meeting
ASB Showgrounds, Auckland
25 November 2020
The NZSA AGM this year will be held in conjunction with Facilities Integrate. As we did last year we will provide a breakfast for members followed by the AGM. More details will be made available closer to the date.
Facilities Integrate
ASB Showgrounds, Auckland
25-26 November August 2020
Facilities Integrate is a trade-only exhibition for people who design, construct and manage New Zealand’s buildings and facilities. For more information please see the website.
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