For the past twelve months it has become fashionable to take a pop at the Security Industry Authority. This has been with good reason; first we had the illegal workers issue, followed by the Panorama expose, and finally the log jam in the licensing process. The words annus horiblis come quickly to mind. Underlying the bad news is some good news, foremost is the SIA Stakeholder Strategy with a mission to seriously engage and listen to all stakeholders. This initiative is starting to show signs of success.

The success of the Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS) is debatable with some detractors claiming the standard is too low whilst others complain that the standard is too high. We are of the opinion that the ACS is at a crossroads and the direction its takes over the next two years will determine its success or otherwise. The current ACS format may have been compatible in the formative years of security industry regulation, but the time has come to use the ACS as a catalyst to re-energise the security industry. If structured correctly, using a multi tiered approach, the ACS could assist in addressing the challenges referred to by the Chairman of the SIA, Baroness Ruth Henig, when she commented: "Four years on, there are still challenges that need to be tackled. There is still cut-throat bidding over contracts, wafer thin margins, wages are still very low, hours long and working conditions far from ideal."

The soon to be established ACS Strategy and Standards Forum will discuss and propose how and ... Click to read further