‘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.”