Securitas BH increases service quality through education of its 1,850 employees

Securitas BH d.o.o., the largest group of private security companies for the protection of persons and property in BiH, started in 2012 with General Education for certified employees, and last year with the second cycle of education, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The latest education for group leaders was held in Sarajevo at Hotel Sarajevo on 24.02.2015, attended by all group leaders, members of the Management Board, and external associates. Lectures were given by the director of Securitas BH Mirsad Ćatić, who explained the importance of their work and the organizational structure, Samir Softić and Valdin Jažić, as operations directors who presented operational activities and tasks of group leaders.

The Director of the Risk Department Zlatko Prndelj presented the importance of adhering to work procedures, and Lejla Pašalić, Director of the Human Resources Sector, spoke about communication and cooperation between the Human Resources Department and group leaders. The Marketing Director, Daniela Gogić, shooting instructor Nermin Sukić, and Prof. Dr. Safet Kapo presented the Education activities completed so far, as well as the plan for 2015.

During 2012 and 2013, employees attended lectures on business standards: knowledge of the Law on Protection of Persons and Property, work procedures, local code of conduct, values and principles of Securitas AB, basics of techniques, fire protection, and first aid.

Lecturers in these areas include professors, retired MUP inspector Munib Kasapović, Daniela Gogić, Director of Marketing and Communications at Securitas, and Lejla Pašalić, HRM Director, experts from INZA, while first aid education was conducted by a medical doctor, who has also been a Securitas security guard for ten years.

Second cycle of education

Last year, a lecture was held for all new employees, and from August to December 2014, the education was expanded to include three new areas: minor conflicts and effective solutions (lecturer Prof. Dr. Safet Kapo), handling firearms – theoretical and practical (lecturer Prof. Nermin Sukić), crisis situations, security guard response, and report writing (lecturer Munib Kasapović). In addition to Sarajevo, the education was conducted in Tuzla, Zenica, Travnik, Mostar, and Banja Luka, writes NAP.

After the completed education, as many as 42% of security guards singled out the part related to minor conflicts and effective solutions as the most useful, which ultimately aims to prevent more serious conflicts.

Special tests that both current and future Securitas employees undergo are psychometric tests (personality test, cognitive ability test), similar to those used in the military and police, and these are eliminatory.

Plans for the upcoming period

In March and October, general education for new employees is held, as well as the second level of education for team leaders. In the second cycle of education, smaller groups of up to 30 employees are planned, to whom team leaders will transfer the necessary knowledge and skills.

All certified employees, in cooperation with the shooting club „Black Wolf“ which has created a training plan and program, undergo checks on weapon handling, as well as mandatory physical fitness tests. The Securitas Management pays special attention to weapon handling, so additional hours have been organized to perfect breathing techniques, weapon holding, and familiarization with the types of weapons available to Securitas BH (pistols, long guns).

The new rulebook also provides for professional training consisting of the application of martial arts, demonstration exercises, and training through seminars and workshops, defense against firearms and cold weapons, holds, strikes, and restraint.

Psychometric testing of employees will also be carried out (general ability test, understanding of spatial relations, and personality test).

Results and goals of the education

As stated by Securitas, after the conducted education, the number of disciplinary cases decreased, the number of commendations for certified employees increased, and better results were recorded on legal checks of weapon handling, which is an indicator that the education was successful. 

Through quality education and constant investment in employees, acquiring new knowledge and skills, Securitas is working long-term on raising awareness and providing quality service to its clients, writes Patria.