‘Security screening certificates are not for sale’

Companies in the freight forwarding industry want to pay for specialised security screening training certificates without ensuring that their staff members comply with the course requirements, according to Bill Whitehead, security specialist at HAB-Scan Fire & Security in Midrand. “One of the biggest problems I have is that companies want me to sell certificates. Our training is not cheap, and in many instances, firms have asked that their representatives attend courses after putting in hours at work before being released for training – and they say I’ll pay you. I would not do that,” he says. Whitehead says he is strict about keeping a register of participants for every training course and submits this to the Civil Aviation Authority – the statutory body overseeing aviation in South Africa – since most participants are employed at airports as well as ports and customs points in the country. Whitehead says companies have to make time available for staff to attend every session of training, adding that the programmes offered at HAB are accredited locally and also meet international standards. “A number of people have come from abroad claiming they have been certified in security screening when it was clear they had no clue about the industry.” Whitehead says on occasion he has reported to the Civil Aviation Authority companies who booked courses and expected students to leave without finishing the requisite number of hours. He says the number of people trained for security screening must be increased as the international requirements for freight forwarders now puts added pressure on security personnel. “When people complete our courses, I tell them what they have in their possession is the equivalent of a driver’s learner’s licence, and the real test is ensuring that nothing escapes your eyes at the X-ray machine. Always remember, if someone wants to hide something it is easy, but trained eyes know what to look for.”