Qualifications

General information on qualifications

The term “qualification” is defined as “A skill, quality, or attribute that makes somebody suitable for a job, activity, or task”.

Validation of a qualification is in the form of a unique certificate issued by an independent third party, the Security Institute.

There are three routes to acquiring a qualification, by Taught Programme (assessment as part of a course of study), Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), or by Direct Assessment.

(a) Taught programme.

Where an applicant attends a course of study and satisfactorily completes all assessments under the direction of a qualified registered trainer.

(b) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Where an applicant feels they have substantially achieved and can provide evidence of having achieved the main requirements already. This can be through formal, informal or non-formal learning acquired over time. This includes workplace testimonials / letters, written evidence of courses and subject matter. Evidence must be current and in context.

(c) Direct Assessment.

This is a form of RPL where an applicant with proven informal training and substantial experience acquired over time may opt to attempt all assessments, with limited intervention, as required within the module.

It is not mandatory for applicants to attend a course of study, they may have sufficient skills and knowledge already or may have attended other courses in the past, the results or evidence of which can be used.

The Security Institute does not run courses or carry out assessment directly. It, as the certification body evaluates the evidence of achievement as presented by either the applicant or a trainer or assessor on behalf of the applicant. The ultimate responsibility rests with the applicant.

An evaluation is carried out by an Institute evaluator to ensure that the requirements of the scheme have been met. It is only based on this evaluation, that a decision on certification is made. This evaluation is based only on the requirements of the certification scheme specification, no other criteria is used or required.

A certification scheme specification is the document agreed between the certification scheme committee and the Security Institute. It includes entry criteria, terms and conditions, a module or series of modules, guidelines on requirements, delivery, assessment and evidence of achievement. Certification scheme specifications are the property of the Security Institute and are copyright protected.

The Institute charges a set fee per module at each level. The current fees are available on request. Trainers and assessors set their own fees. In most cases training organisations incorporate all fees in the price quoted for courses. The training organisation then processes the documentation and pays the certification fees directly to the Institute on behalf of the applicant.

Development and consultation

Requirements for qualifications are identified by those operating within the relevant industry or sector, by public demand, or government, or regulatory authorities, or training organisations, or through study or research in the area. A scheme committee is appointed to develop and maintain a scheme. The committee is representative of, and / or will consult with parties with an interest. The committee will represent all views presented without any particular interest predominating.

Through a process of consultation with those parties interested in development, a scheme is agreed. The Institute agrees the standard with the relevant scheme committee, a certification scheme specification is published by the Institute, the specification states the standard and provides some guidelines on how the standard may be reached and the qualification acquired.

Applicant information

Qualifications are individual achievements and the substantial responsibility to comply with the conditions of certification rests with the individual throughout the process. The applicant identifies the qualification most suited to their needs. It is the ultimate responsibility of the applicant to ensure correct choice of qualification, satisfactory completion of documentation, signatures, meeting deadlines, providing information, providing evidence, appropriate behaviour, co-operation, payment of fees, training and assessment support.

The Security Institute, employers, trainers or assessors may all advise, support and assist the applicant.

The Institute provides information on all qualifications available and the process of acquiring each qualification. A summary is available on the website, including entry requirements and other conditions. A list of approved trainers and assessors is also provided. Application forms are available directly from the Institute or from the approved trainers and assessors. Further information is available from trainers and assessors.

It is the responsibility of the applicant or qualified / certified person to keep the Institute informed of changes in individual status relevant to the conditions of the certification scheme. Applicants or certified persons must also verify and respond immediately to published information relevant to them if that information is incorrect.

The Security Institute reserves the right to withdraw any applicant from the process at any stage where in its view the applicant, trainer or assessor has provided false or misleading information, has engaged in plagiarism or fails to comply with the conditions of certification. The Security Institute further reserves the right to withdraw or suspend certification where the ongoing conditions of monitoring, surveillance or re-certification are not met. This includes removal or suspension from the register.

How to acquire a qualification

The process of acquiring a qualification is straightforward. It is not always a mandatory requirement to attend a course of study to satisfy the requirements of a certification scheme. The National Qualifications Register was launched in 2008 and the Institute recognises that substantial training activity has taken place throughout the sector over the past few years.

For example those who hold a FETAC level 6 award in Security Operations and Administration will already satisfy most of the requirements of the certification scheme for the Security Management category of the National Qualifications Register. In these cases an application process and administration fee is all that is required. Individuals are advised to contact an approved commercial trainer or the Institute directly if they feel they already meet the criteria.

In most other cases applicants will need to attend a course of study or apply through Recognition of Prior Learning. This is done by contacting an approved commercial trainer from the list published.

About Modules

A module is a document, which states in the form of learning outcomes the skills and knowledge required to be competent in a specific defined field. Each module will also include assessment criteria and an expiry date.

Within The Security Institute process a module is presented in one of four levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced or Higher.

Modules are graded by marks awarded at Pass, Merit or Distinction level. A Certification Scheme Specification may contain a series of modules at different levels, the satisfactory completion of which leads to the overall qualification.

View Modules list here

Qualifications currently available

From the link below you will find a list of currently available Qualifications, click on the individual qualifications detail for a brief summary. A link to approved trainers and assessors will shortly be available.

Qualifications list here

Recognition of qualifications external to Ireland

Supplementary options are available where for example qualifications are already held from another jurisdiction, the Institute will assist with identifying the gaps and trainers / assessors will have in place systems for top up courses or Recognition of Prior Learning processes to fill these gaps.