Tavcom Training raises £3,000 for Naomi House and Jacksplace

Tavcom Training, which is part of the Linx International Group of companies, has succeeded in raising £3,000 over the last 12 months for its nominated charities: Naomi House and Jacksplace. As part of the company’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, Tavcom Training pledged to make a financial donation for every training course booked between October 2020 and October this year in order to help make a difference to local families and children dealing with life-limiting illnesses.

Angus Darroch-Warren CSyP, managing director of the Linx International Group, said: “Tavcom Training and the Linx International Group are delighted to support the Naomi House and Jacksplace hospices and we look forward to developing the relationship over the coming years. These inspiring charities offer so much to local families who benefit greatly from the care given to family members faced with life-limiting and life-threatening circumstances. We’re all extremely proud of this achievement and hope that it will make a positive difference to many children and their families.”

Tavcom Training delivers accredited security systems training courses for installers, operators, managers and designers of video surveillance systems (ie CCTV), network IP solutions, intruder alarms, access control systems, fire alarms and all other types of electronic security systems.

The business offers a wide range of technical and non-technical courses within all security systems-related fields including security management, Control Room operations, system planning, project management, structured cabling, disaster recovery, counter eavesdropping, PAT testing and covert CCTV.

Expert hospice care

Naomi House and Jacksplace provide expert hospice care to more than 600 life-limited and life-threatened children, young adults and families from central southern England. Their nursing, care, play and family support teams are experts in delivering crucial emotional, spiritual and developmental as well as clinical and holistic care that children and young adults with some of the most complex medical needs require. They also offer vital respite support for families, giving them the chance to recharge their batteries and regroup in a calm and welcoming environment.

Connor Phillips, fundraising officer for Naomi House and Jacksplace, stated: “Everyone at the hospices has been completely blown away by Tavcom’s support. The company’s wonderful donation of £3,000 could fund many hours of a nurse’s vital care at Naomi House and Jacksplace. It’s only thanks to supporters like Tavcom that we’re able to be there for our families on the good days, difficult days and last days. Thank You so much to Tavcom Training.”

*For more information about Naomi House and Jacksplace, and the services they offer, visit https://www.naomihouse.org.uk/

**Further detail concerning Tavcom Training may be accessed online at www.tavcom.com

Tavcom Training introduces virtual classroom training courses

Tavcom Training is launching the first in a series of virtual classroom training courses to add to its existing classroom training portfolio. The programme kicks off with two fundamental courses: the BTEC Level 3 course focused on Intruder Alarm System Design and the BTEC Level 3 course concentrating on CCTV System Design and Planning.

Delivered via Zoom through online interactive lectures and workshops and guided by the same expert instructors as the physical classroom courses, learners will have the chance to gain an accredited certification in a live environment without having to travel.

Andrew Saywell, business development manager for Tavcom Training, informed Security Matters: “We understand that a lot of our learners come to us for the high standard of training we deliver here at Tavcom. We wanted to find a way in which to provide that high standard of classroom learning to the many individuals who cannot travel at present. Our new virtual classroom courses are a solution to this problem. Delivered by and in partnership with our lead tutors, they’re fully interactive and designed to provide practising professionals with the necessary skills required to carry out the key elements of their role.”

Saywell continued: “The launch of our accredited virtual training courses is just one element in a series of developments that we’re implementing in order to increase the accessibility of Tavcom Training courses to learners on a global footing. Now more than ever, it’s easier for security professionals to gain a worldwide recognised qualification.”

Not only will learners be able to interact with other members of their class and ask questions as they would in a normal classroom situation, but they can also expect to receive all of the typical benefits of traditional face-to-face training including full tutor support, training resources and protected soft copies of the learning material distributed prior to course commencement.

Essential course

The BTEC Level 3 in Intruder Alarm System Design is the first course in the portfolio to be delivered virtually. This is an essential course for technical specifiers, sales engineers and consultants who wish to work lawfully within the new legislative guidelines and determine the risk assessment of each installation on which they’re working.

Learners on the course will be taught the skills required to carry out risk assessments and surveys in accordance with current British Standards and their European equivalents in combination with design and planning exercises that will introduce all of the necessary new grading requirements.

The Intruder Alarm System Design course is scheduled to take place virtually on 15-17 February and will cover the following core topics: completing security risk assessments, an overview of detection devices, control and indicating equipment, signalling devices and considerations, the planning and design of systems, European Standards, insurance requirements, alarm verification techniques, equipment grading criteria, producing system proposals and information on how to conduct practical site surveys.

Learners can expect to undertake focused morning and afternoon sessions interspersed with project work requiring a level of independent research.

Designing CCTV

The CCTV System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3 course is designed for all those who have the task of designing and planning small or large CCTV systems while ensuring compliance with the latest international standards. This course will provide learners with the experience and knowledge necessary to offer solutions for a variety of clients’ CCTV requirements.

The course will be of particular interest to specifiers, consultants, sales personnel and CCTV system project managers.

It’s scheduled to take place virtually between 15-18 March. Throughout the course, learners can expect to cover the following core topics: an overview of CCTV technologies and products, developing an Operational Requirement, risk assessments and site surveys, CCTV system design and product selection, effective lighting for CCTV applications, legislation, industry standards and Codes of Practice, system planning (costing, installation, commissioning and maintenance), system documentation (specification, drawings, commissioning and handover), writing system proposals and, last but not least, the tender process (with a keen focus on pre/post tender meetings and presentations).

High standard of learning

Kevin Matthew, operations director for Tavcom Training, explained: “Delivery in a live virtual classroom has many of the benefits of face-to-face learning without the inconvenience of travel. This is a very important consideration for those whose need for accredited and quality training hasn’t changed, even if their ability to join a classroom course has due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

Matthew continued: “Learners will participate in the same way that they would in the classroom, interacting with each other and the qualified course tutor, as well as receiving the high standard of learning and support associated with Tavcom Training’s courses.”

In conclusion, Matthew observed: “This is just the start of a series of virtual classroom courses that we’re looking to develop in order to meet the ever-changing needs of security industry professionals.”

*Course prices start from £395 (excluding VAT). This includes a formal BTEC accreditation. Upon completion of the course, learners will also receive formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. **Further information is available online at https://www.tavcom.com/

Tavcom Training celebrates 25 years of professionalising global security industry

Tavcom Training, the Linx International Group company providing accredited security systems training courses, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. Since 1995, the company has trained and certified upwards of 50,000 learners in over 100 countries by way of its extensive portfolio of more than 100 classroom and online courses.

With the mid-to-late 1990s growth in the number of manufacturers producing security technology including CCTV, access control, intruder alarms and IP networking, there was a burgeoning demand for expert vendor agnostic training regarding the design, installation, management and use of these increasingly complex safeguarding systems.

As a result, Tavcom Training was founded by Mike Tennent to meet this need. Tennent rapidly established the company’s international reputation as being the benchmark for training excellence. Today, the pace of technical innovation is faster than ever and Tennent’s commitment to delivering relevant and high-quality training continues to be a significant factor in Tavcom’s ongoing success some 25 years later.

Kevin Matthew, operations director at Tavcom Training, recalled: “In 1995 there were training courses accredited by a variety of industry bodies, but no standardised vocational qualifications universally recognised by employers in the UK and overseas.”

A key milestone came in 2001 when Tavcom’s BTEC courses were accredited by the Edexcel Foundation. Matthew added: “This proved to be a game-changer for the security industry, with quantifiable and accredited qualifications available for the first time.”

Forging strong ties

The commitment to professionalising the industry and improving standards through recognised and accredited training has continued for 25 years, with Tavcom Training forging strong ties with the British Security Industry Association, the Security System and Alarms Inspection Board, the CCTV User Group/NASCAM, the National Security Inspectorate, Skills for Security and the Career Transition Partnership, as well as other certification bodies including City & Guilds.

The company has also taken the lead in other industry-defining initiatives, notably so the Register of Certified Technical Security Professionals. Launched in 2017 and managed by Tavcom, this professional public register recognises the competency of individuals fulfilling technical roles in the electronic security and fire sectors.

Tavcom continues to make significant long-term investments in its training provision, seeking out world-renowned subject matter experts and trainers, developing new courses in response to the changing requirements of security professionals and also the rapidly evolving technology accessible to them.

The business has also made significant upgrades to its state-of-the-art and future-proofed Training Centre in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, as well as opening a new facility in Shipley, West Yorkshire and delivering courses at a purpose-built Training Centre in Singapore.

Matthew observed: “One of the biggest transformations in terms of how we deliver training has taken place in the past few years, with demand for online courses growing exponentially. Our portfolio of accredited online security training courses, bite-size training and interactive courses enables practising security professionals to access the training and qualifications they need from anywhere in the world.”

Online education programme

Tavcom’s established online training programme has proven invaluable for many security professionals this year given restrictions on travel and national lockdowns imposed as a result of COVID-19. This has allowed many industry professionals to improve upon their knowledge and skills. Matthew concluded: “We’re immensely proud of our rich 25-year heritage. As the security market and technology continues to evolve and grow, Tavcom is committed to being a trusted and respected training partner for learners at every stage of their career, whatever their training needs, circumstances and requirements may be at any given moment.” 

Linx International Group expands team with new Group marketing manager and marketing co-ordinator

Linx International Group – the global provider of security, risk management, consultancy and training services – has announced the appointment of Group marketing manager Jerry Alfandari and marketing co-ordinator Victoria Carter.

Fluent in both English and German, Alfandari has a proven track record of managing international marketing campaigns including social and digital content strategies. He’s joined by Victoria Carter, who brings expertise in social media, public relations and video production to the team.

On his appointment, Alfandari explained: “I’m excited to be part of a team that’s working with security practitioners at all levels around the world to develop and launch new courses along with innovative training methods.”

Victoria Carter and Jerry Alfandari

Carter added: “Training and education has always been central to my own career progression, so I’m excited to be joining a company that shares my ethos and is committed to professionalism across the security sector.”

Led by director of sales and marketing Sarah Hayward-Turton, the marketing team will promote the Linx International Group brand and the work of its companies – Tavcom Training (including the CTSP Register), PerpetuityARC Training and the Linx Consultancy.

Hayward-Turton stated: “It’s an exciting time to be part of the Linx International Group. We’re bringing new talent into the organisation, as well as nurturing and developing the skills of those that have been with us for many years.”

Alfandari and Carter are based at the Linx International Group’s Training Centre in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.

Sarah Hayward-Turton promoted to role of director of sales and marketing at Linx International Group

Linx International Group, the global provider of security, risk management, consultancy and training services, has announced the promotion of Sarah Hayward-Turton to the role of director of sales and marketing for constituent companies Tavcom Training, PerpetuityARC Training and the Linx Consultancy. 

Joining the Linx International Group in 2014 as client relationship manager, Hayward-Turton was leading the sales team within two years and now takes the lead as director of sales and marketing. Her dedication to the security industry sees Hayward-Turton taking an active role in supporting the work of ASIS UK’s Young Professionals, an initiative that supports security professionals under the age of 40 and with less than five years’ experience in the industry. Hayward-Turton has also successfully completed PerpetuityARC’s Security Co-ordination and Management BTEC Level 4 course.

Sarah Hayward-Turton

“This year, not only are we continuing to develop highly relevant courses and pioneering how they’re delivered in the classroom and through e-learning, but also expanding our global presence for training and consultancy,” stated Hayward-Turton in conversation with Risk Xtra.

Ciaran Barry, director of Linx International Group operations, added: “Through our training businesses, we’re wholly dedicated to nurturing and developing talent in the security industry. Sarah’s career trajectory at the Linx International Group is a great example of us practising what we preach.”

Tavcom Training expands distance learning and account management teams with duo of new appointments

Tavcom Training has announced the appointment of e-Learning developer Peter Panayi and account manager Effie-Mae Sims. Both will be based at the Tavcom Training Centre in Hampshire and focus on growing the success of the company’s rapidly expanding prospectus of classroom and distance learning training courses.

Tavcom Training boasts a wide range of award-winning security systems training courses and an extensive tutor-led distance learning portfolio that includes its popular CCTV System Design BTEC Level 5 Diploma and the Professional Practices of Security Network Design BTEC Level 5 Certificate. Earlier this year the company also launched its Tavcom Bite Size electrotechnical and electronic security systems courses.

Peter Panayi stated: “I’m looking forward to incorporating new technologies into Tavcom Training’s courses to make them even more interactive and engaging, while learning all there is to know about the security sector.”

Peter Panayi and Effie-Mae Sims

Effie-Mae Sims will focus on supporting Tavcom Training’s clients to ensure they find the right courses to meet their professional development needs. “From the outset, I have been very impressed by the morals and beliefs of the company,” explained Effie-May. “My intention is to make a real impact within the company, helping its growth, customer relationships and everyday performance, as well as making a real difference to security professionals who choose us to help them meet their training needs.”

Paul Tennent, executive director at Tavcom Training, stated: “We’re dedicated to be using the very latest technologies and teaching methods to ensure that all of our courses, whether in the classroom or online, provide the knowledge and skills needed for professionals to perform in the ever-evolving security sector.

Tennent added: “To achieve this, we invest in the very best personnel to develop how training is delivered and ensure the right people are booked on the right courses. I’m delighted to welcome both Peter and Effie-May to the business.”

Certified Technical Security Professionals Register shortlisted for prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Awards 2018

Tavcom Training, a subsidiary of the Linx International Group, has announced that the Certified Technical Security Professionals (CTSP) Register is one of the shortlisted finalists for the prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Awards 2018 in the Contribution to Standards in the Security Sector category.

Currently celebrating its first anniversary, and with more than 500 professionals either registered or going through the application process, the CTSP Register aims to raise standards in the security and fire industry.

Operated by Tavcom Training, the Register has the support of the British Security Industry Association, the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board and Dubai’s Security Industry Regulatory Agency.

Paul Tennent, Group sales director at Tavcom Training, commented: “The CTSP Register was established to recognise the competency of professionals working in the security and fire systems sectors. As the most respected awards scheme in our industry, the Security & Fire Excellence Awards is the perfect platform to raise awareness among security professionals that there’s now an opportunity to have their technical expertise publicly recognised.”

Now in its nineteenth year, the Security & Fire Excellence Awards has consistently broken new ground in highlighting the very best people, projects and processes that the security and fire sectors have to offer. The 2018 winners will be announced on Wednesday 21 November at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

*For more information about the Certified Technical Security Professional register visit http://www.ctsp.org.uk

Tavcom Training and Banham Academy offer BTEC Level 3 training pathway to Trailblazer apprentices

Tavcom Training has partnered with the Banham Academy to provide a professional training pathway for apprentices on the new Trailblazer scheme. The Trailblazer apprenticeship standard for the fire, security and emergency systems industry is approved by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Now, Banham Academy and Tavcom Training are going further with the inclusion of professional qualifications.

The BTEC Level 3 courses developed by Tavcom Training deliver comprehensive security training during the three-year apprenticeship through a combination of online and classroom teaching, practical exercises, assessments and examinations.

Paul Tennent CTSP, executive director at Tavcom Training, stated: “Working in partnership with the Banham Academy, we’re ensuring that apprentices gain an essential understanding of theory combined with practical industry experience to kick-start their careers. Meanwhile, the security industry benefits from a steady stream of fully-trained and qualified engineers at the end of the process.”

Kevin Faulkner (left) and Paul Tennent

The first cohort of Banham Academy Trailblazer apprentices has already embarked on the BTEC Level 3 training pathway. Kevin Faulkner, the Banham Academy’s operations director, explained: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Tavcom Training to ensure quality materials and practices are available to support the delivery of our apprenticeships. Achieving the Tavcom qualifications is a great way to measure the progress of our learners, while the accreditation provided motivates them on the pathway towards completing their apprenticeship. ”

Paul Tennent concluded: “We’re proud to be supporting young engineers and helping to bring new and fully-qualified talent to the sector. We also believe it’s vital that, ultimately, all Trailblazer participants have a level playing field on which to compete. Our aim is to raise standards in general across the scheme.”

*For further details on the Banham Academy Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme visit www.banham.co.uk/banham-group-trailblazer-apprenticeship/

Linx International Group to deliver security management programmes at new SIRA Training Centre in Dubai

The Linx International Group has announced that it will be delivering its award-winning security management programmes from the new training centre of the Security Industry Regulatory Authority (SIRA) in Dubai.

SIRA was created in 2016 and is the Government department responsible for setting the regulations, training and enforcements of security within Dubai.

Training will be delivered to international students by expert tutors at SIRA’s new Training Centre, which includes state-of-the-art technical workshops designed in collaboration with Linx International Group company Tavcom Training.

Security professionals will study and complete internationally-recognised and fully-accredited (BTEC and City & Guilds) security management courses including: Security Management, Risk Crisis and Disaster Management, Managing Security Surveys, Managing Security Risks in the Oil and Gas Sector, Kidnap and Ransom Management and Sea Port Security Management.

SIRA’s Training Centre director Ahmed Albalooshy commented: “Through partnership with the Linx International Group we are providing Best-in-Class training at SIRA’s new state-of-the art Training Centre. Together, we’re delivering an exceptionally high-calibre of training to create experts whose talents are in demand in Dubai, as well as the wider Middle East.”

David Gill CSyP, managing director of the Linx International Group, added: “Dubai is a major global hub and well respected as a Centre of Excellence, and particularly so in the areas of technology, security and policing. The Linx International Group is proud to be working with SIRA to provide security professionals and those seeking to develop a career in security management in the Middle East with the UK’s premier security management training.” 

IFSEC organiser UBM previews ‘The Future of Security’ Seminar Theatre powered by Tavcom Training

In partnership with Tavcom Training, the provider of accredited security systems training courses, IFSEC International organiser UBM has unveiled some of the detail behind ‘The Future of Security’ Seminar Theatre. Sponsored by Panasonic UK, this will deliver a range of essential CPD-accredited presentations on the very latest in security technology design and integration when IFSEC 2018 runs at London’s ExCeL from 19-21 June.

Physical security systems are now heavily dependent on IT-based platforms. This intersection of technologies has opened up significant potential for security installers and engineers to offer even better solutions for their end customers. To reflect this demand, ‘The Future of Security’ Theatre will focus on these opportunities in offering a full set of free seminars. The sessions will expertly target key areas addressing cyber security, IT Best Practice, practical IP networking, integration and system design plus a wide range of additional core areas. All sessions will be delivered by specialist Tavcom trainers.

Delivering insight into the major security challenges, the cyber security sections will look into how robust approaches can strengthen an existing physical security system, providing the end user with even greater resilience to cyber threats.

From an IT security aspect, the sessions will include sessions on understanding firewalls and identifying vulnerabilities which can be inherent in the installation process. In addition, there will be exclusive sessions on the use of drones in security and how this technology is both a benefit and a hazard.

‘The Future of Security’ Theatre will be a major element in the new ‘Show Me How’ project at IFSEC International 2018, which will identify education opportunities and exhibiting companies as key destinations where visitors can go to learn about Best Practice and capabilities. Exhibitors will host technical experts on their stands to ensure visitors gain a direct understanding of the products and solutions and making sure they leave fully equipped with the right knowledge.

At the event, all ‘Show Me How’ areas and exhibitors will be clearly signposted to help visitors make the best possible use of their time at IFSEC 2018.

With cyber crime being an ever-present threat exploiting business weaknesses around storing data in multiple locations, Panasonic UK is proactively taking action to thwart such threats by expanding its cyber offerings. In particular at IFSEC International 2018, the business will focus on how integrators and installers can bring additional value to end users by providing ‘cyber safe’ environments.

Paul Tennent, sales director at Tavcom Training, stated: “As a leading training provider for the security and fire installer sectors, Tavcom is excited to be part of the new position IFSEC is taking as a major education provider. Its been interesting to see the insights and research IFSEC has gained over the past year, particularly so in regard to the expectations and direct needs of the installer community. It’s also acutely apparent that growth areas and technologies in and around cyber security are becoming critical, so we’re happy to lend our expertise to the wider IFSEC audience.”

Gerry Dunphy, brand director for IFSEC International, responded: “We’ve been through an extensive research programme over the past 12 months which has provided IFSEC with a clear set of directions, matching the direct needs of our customers. They’ve told us they have a need to understand the future. They need guidance on areas such as how cyber security impacts on physical systems and they need to hear from specialists they can trust. Working with Tavcom Training on ‘The Future of Security’ Theatre is the perfect solution given Tavcom’s history and expertise in these core areas. Our customers have told us what’s keeping them awake at night and it’s IFSEC’s duty to help them rest more comfortably.”

*IFSEC International 2018 is co-located with FIREX International, Safety & Health Expo and The Facilities Show, offering a strategic blend of related business to business events focusing squarely on the protection and management of people, property and assets