CEO’s REPORT
Welcome to our March 2023 newsletter.
A catastrophic life changing event. There is no other way to describe the devastating impact Cyclone Gabrielle has had on many people’s lives and livelihood.
Whilst the daily updates that we see through the media are shocking in their own right, talking to those who are on the ground provides a better understanding of what many are facing, with whole communities obliterated and the constants of thick mud, piled uncollected rubbish and the stench of rotting food, vegetation and often raw sewerage.
Those I have been in touch with all talk in awe about the way communities have come together to assist each other (other than the small minority who have resorted to crime) and what has been achieved, however there is also a growing realisation and resignation that they are only scratching the surface and that the necessary rebuild of infrastructure and property will be a massive task over a considerable number of years.
The other issue at this time is that of mental trauma and stress and the longer-term impacts on residents.
We are pleased that we have been able to provide some support for our members in the impacted regions – helping to facilitate Emergency Licencing requirements through the PSPLA, coordinating offers of additional resources and forwarding 20,000 face masks to the Hawkes Bay region for use by staff, customers and community groups involved in clean up duties.
Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted and our commitment is that they will not be forgotten in coming weeks and months.
On a different note, we have some exciting developments and initiatives covered within our newsletter this month, including the Saved a Life Medal programme, the launch of our OnLine Training Hub, a new short-term contract with MSD supporting the employment of entry level technicians, the commencement of our school visit programme and the development of a Security Awareness Passport for MSD candidates who go through the virtual reality (VR) security scenarios.
See below for more information.
NZSA Saved a Life Medal
As mentioned in our last newsletter, we launched this programme early this year whereby we recognise and celebrate those workers within our industry who have saved a life, or lives, through their actions.
During February we received three qualifying nominations, and we will issue a profile of the individuals and their stories, including photos of them receiving their medals, in coming weeks.
The nomination process is very straight forward with qualification criteria outlined on our website. Nominations can be submitted on the NZSA website.
Launch of NZSA Online Training Hub
We are thrilled to advise that our online training hub is now live and can be accessed via the NZSA website.
The NZSA recognises the importance of continued professional development and the training hub has been designed as a single repository for non NZQA training and learning programmes and materials, that can easily be accessed by our members, their employees and the wider industry.
The training hub currently comprises the following learning and training materials:
- Literacy and Numeracy Modules (free access)
- Electronic Security Good Practice (chargeable with preferential member rates)
- Entry Level Security Technician Foundation Training (chargeable with preferential member rates)
We will continue to add further training and learning programmes and materials, either developed in-house or by external parties, and would welcome feedback from our members with regards to what training resources they would like to be able to access.
Launch of new MSD contract for placement of entry level Security Technicians
Over the last five years, the NZSA has provided our members with in excess of 550 employees through our SFI (Skills for Industry programme). Whilst our programme is non role specific, the focus has been targeted towards Security Officers and Monitoring Operators.
We are very pleased to announce that we have signed a new short-term trial contract with MSD that specifically targets entry level (school leaver or limited work experience) candidates seeking employment in the electronic security sector.
The contract recognises the continued resource shortage for Security Technicians and the importance of developing apprentices locally rather than bringing in workers from off-shore.
Under the contract the NZSA will provide candidates successfully placed into work with a comprehensive tool kit, a laptop, safety boots and enrolment in the NZSA-developed Foundation Training Programme for Entry Level Security Technicians.
The contract also recognises the importance of the employer providing support and pastural care and includes an obligation that they will enrol candidates into the NZCiES Apprenticeship on successful completion of the Foundation Training Programme.
Whilst the contract was signed mid-February and is only for a four and a half month trial, it is pleasing to note that our first candidate placement commenced employment in late February and we are very hopeful that with continued success, MSD will extend the contract for a further year on completion of the trial.
Members support School Career Pathways Programme
Late last year we reported on our attendance at the CATE (Careers and Transition Education Association) Conference and how we would use that as a stepping-stone into developing a formalised program for 2023 where we could match school career advisors (and school career events) with our members.
We are pleased to advise that the initial engagement for this year has been confirmed and both Red Badge Group and Alarm Solutions 2002 will be attending a “speed dating careers event” at St Bede’s College in Christchurch mid-March. Hopefully we will have some photos to include in the next newsletter.
We will be confirming other engagements in coming months as the schools become more active with their students and will contact and arrange representation from our members who have expressed interest in participating.
As a separate project, we are also investigating the opportunity to develop a school Gateway Programme that we can introduce to the schools to promote the security industry as a career pathway.
Development and launch of MSD Security Awareness “Passport” Certificate
Traditionally MSD have hosted regular Job Expos around the country where those seeking employment can talk to a range of industry and employer representatives about career opportunities and potential job openings. Whilst the expos have been valuable in matching candidates with employers, they are “low touch” and provide the candidate with very limited information on what the jobs entail.
Late last year MSD introduced VR (Virtual Reality) Job Expos where the candidates have the opportunity to register interest in a range of industry roles and to then through the VR headset to actually experience what the roles entail. Where appropriate, candidates can also receive a “Passport” or certificate verifying their participation and completion of the industry experience.
Utilising materials from the NZSA CoA VR Training Platform, one of the industry experiences covers security officers and guarding roles. Participants are provided with an overview of the industry and an understanding of the principles around managing conflict before they are placed into two real life work scenarios that include identifying risks and dealing with aggressive individuals. Participants are required to utilise appropriate skills, but the platform provides corrective guidance when necessary.
To date, Security has been the third most popular industry, closely behind Tourism and Kiwifruit picking.
Moving forward, those candidates who undertake and complete the Security VR experience will be provided with an NZSA Security Awareness Passport Certificate that confirms that they have an awareness of security roles and duties.
The Security Awareness Passport Certificate is not a NZQA qualification or evidence of competency, but it does provide potential employers with the knowledge that the candidate has shown the initiative to undertake the experience and has an awareness of what a role in security will entail.
NZSA website resources
It was pleasing to recently receive a LinkedIn communication from one of our members, complimenting us on the quality and breadth of resources available on the NZSA website.
In the words of our member ”it is a fantastic resource for all who work in, or engage with, the security industry and provides comprehensive information on standards, guidelines, training, licensing and much more. I’m happy to direct my colleagues to the site for any security related matter”.
The reason for mentioning this is that whilst our website statistics show the site is well utilised, it is evident from the number of the email and phone enquiries that we receive that many members are unaware of the information that they can access directly.
With recent updates to include the Saved a Life Medal programme and the Online Training Hub, it may be a good time to check that your member details are correct, ensure that you are utilising the range of member benefit programmes, review the information available and remind your teams that they can access the resources available.
PSPLA complaint process and outcomes
We regularly hear comments that the PSPLA complaint process is ineffective and has no teeth. Whilst those comments might have been valid some years ago, our current Registrar, Trish McConnell, has implemented a number of changes and improvements that have resulted in a far more effective and transparent complaint process. In conjunction with this, the CIPU (Complaints, Investigation and Prosecution Unit) team within the Department of Internal Affairs that is tasked with investigating complaints has had its resources strengthened and is adopting a more proactive approach, including random checking of staff at venues and events.
For those who are interested, it is possible to see a record of all complaints received, and resulting outcomes, detailed on the PSPLA website under “Decisions”.
We would also like to pass our thanks onto Trish and her team at the PSPLA for their responsiveness in enacting emergency licensing procedures to assist with Covid, and more recently the flooding events in the North Island.
Increase in Membership fees
As an industry association we are very mindful of the difficult trading environment that many businesses are facing and the ongoing pressures of cost increases.
We have been able to avoid any increase in our membership fees for the last five years through a combination of cost controls and additional revenue generating activities, such as the MSD SFI Programme. However, we do need to advise our members that we will need to apply a 7% increase to the membership fees for the upcoming 2023/2024 subscription period.
We are confident that our members will view our contributions positively and recognise the importance of having a strong and effective peak body representing the industry. Should any member have concerns, we are happy to discuss those directly.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
As always, we welcome all comments and feedback on NZSA or industry issues and activity.
Keep safe and well.
Kind Regards
Gary Morrison
CEO
NZSA Saved a Life Medal
The NZSA has launched a new award initiative that will recognise and celebrate those workers within our industry who have saved a life, or lives, through their actions.
This builds on the well-received and very successful Covid Guardian award programme that we ran during the lockdown periods.
Nominations for the Saved a Life Medal can be made online on the NZSA website.
The medal will be specific to either an individual security worker or a team, where their actions have directly saved a life, or lives. Examples include:
- Assisting or removing a person, or persons, from life threatening situations
- Providing care to a person, or persons, that has resulting in their surviving life-threatening injuries
- Preventing a person, or persons, from causing life threatening harm to others
- Preventing a person, or persons from causing life threatening harm to themselves
- Identifying and removing risks that if unmitigated, could have caused life threatening harm to others
Nominations must be received within four months of the incident and be supported by evidence such as media reporting, letters of acknowledgement or witness statements.
All winners will be presented with an attractive medal which they get to keep, and their actions will be profiled within the bi-monthly NZSA Newsletter and on NZSA social media platforms.
Recipients will also be recognised in a roll call at the Annual Security Awards event and will automatically be nominated in the appropriate award category for each year.
NZSA HR Advisory Service
A reminder to members that SuccessHR are human resource consultants available for any employment support regarding your employees.
Support offered at no expense to our members is telephone communication support eg. disciplinary, performance. You also have access to individual employment agreements. Any additional support would be charged to you accordingly.
For any support or further information please contact:
Susan Beange
Human Resources Team Lead
[email protected]
021 929 528
Emma Johnston
Human Resources Specialist
[email protected]
021 659 456
NZSA Membership
We welcome the following new Corporate Members:
B Alert NZ Limited
SECPRO Limited
Wellington Investigations Limited
and the following new Associate Individual Member:
Shahjahan Amiry
Events
COA Conflict Management Training – Train the Trainer and Refresher Training for Trainers
As the industry peak body, the NZSA has appointed Bespoke Security and Hard Target to deliver the Conflict Management Train the Trainer and Refresher Training programmes around the country. These providers are subject matter experts in their own right and will ensure that those who are approved to deliver the Conflict Management Training meet necessary standards.
The following training is being conducted by Bespoke Security Group in Auckland:
Train the Trainer Training – Auckland – 18 & 19 April – $750 + GST
Refresher Training – 18 April – Auckland – $395 + GST
For further information and to register please email [email protected].
Women in Compliance Conference 2023
Wednesday 29 March 2023 – Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Facilitated by Rosemary (Rosie)Killip, Director, Owner and CEO, Building Networks NZ Ltd
If you work with building and fire rules at any level this conference is for you.
This includes, administrators, sales people, facilities coordinators, facility managers, building trades and designers, BWOF agents and consultants, and of course local authorities staff.
This conference is an opportunity to:
- Step back from the day to day grind
- Connect with other women from across the industry
- Learn new skills, update or refine others
- Plan your next career steps
- Gain some technical knowledge
- Be encouraged and inspired
For further information and to register please see the website.
NZISF breakfast meeting
Topic: Can we trust Artificial Intelligence?
The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) has existed for well over 35 years, with the University of Auckland offering a course on this topic in the late 1980s. Since then, this topic became less popular and almost disappeared from the world’s attention. With recent developments in information technology, both in software and hardware, has brought this topic to the forefront. Perhaps the most visible aspect of AI was the launch of ChatGPT last year. This issue is applicable to a wider range then educations processes. How do we adopt this powerful technology not only to education processes but to all aspects of our lives?
When: 8:00am Thursday 9 March 2023 via zoom
For further information and to register please see the NZSA website.
Member Benefits
Building Networks Compliance Guidance
Building Networks are the leading authority on building compliance and they are offering a 20% discount for members: Building Networks website
For industry news, updates, tips and opinions from the frontline, sign up to the Building Networks newsletter or visit their YouTube channel.
First Aid and Refresher Training
Life Care Consultants have extensive experience with first aid training in the security industry and are offering NZSA members a 10% discount on all first aid and refresher training.
For further information please email Russell Taylor [email protected].
Mobilcard
NZSA have an agreement with Mobilcard offering members fuel discounts
Key Benefits:
- Up to 16 cents per litre (including GST) discount off the pump price for all diesel and petrol purchased at a discounted Mobilcard acceptor sites. Minimum discount of 12 cents per litre (including GST).
- Available at 330+ sites nationwide. View www.mobilfuelfinder.co.nz to find an acceptor site near you.
- No card or transaction fees.
- No need to manage receipts for tax purposes, all managed under one account.
- Costs can be tracked easily with one monthly invoice. You can also have online access to multiple reports including the fuel consumed by individual vehicles.
- PIN number and purchase restrictions for added security.
- You must be a member of the NZSA to qualify for this offer.
A vehicle consuming 100 litres per week using a discount of up to 6 cents per litre = $6 discount per week.
A vehicle consuming 100 litres per week using the NZSA MOBILCARD discount of up to 16cents per litre = $16 discount per week
For a company fleet of 20 vehicles that’s potentially an annual saving of over $10,000 per annum.
The discount level is dependent on volume of fuel used per annum.
For further information please email [email protected].
simPRO Software
simPRO is a leading operations management solution for service, maintenance and project contractors. Connect the office to the field, delivery exceptional customer service and gain invaluable insights with automated processes, streamlined workflows and in-depth business reporting.
NZSA members are eligible to receive a 20% discount on initial implementation costs of simPRO and for the month of November two months free!
For further information visit the simPRO website.
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/nzsa
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.
Keeping your team up to date
Like many organisations we are constantly looking for ways to ensure we can communicate effectively with our members and their teams. The best way to stay up to date on NZSA and industry news is via our newsletter. The more people from each company who receive our newsletter, the higher the chance of updates being communicated within the industry.
With this in mind, we welcome you to send us any company contacts who would like to receive our newsletter and we will add them to our distribution list.
Please email any contacts to [email protected].
NZSA member referral – strength in numbers
NZSA’s membership has grown strongly over the past year and each new member not only strengthens the Association and the security community, it also enables us to provide you with more benefits and services and a greater voice for the industry. So help grow your community and strengthen your Association by referring a prospective new member.
To refer a prospective member please email details to [email protected]. For details on member benefits please see the NZSA website.
