The why

Why should employers and employees consider the upgrade from CPP20212 Certificate II in Security Operations to CPP20218 in Security Operations? 

It’s very simple.  Under the Security Providers Act 1993, the qualifications listed in the old training will no longer be accepted.  Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is not an option under the restrictions of the Certificate II in Security Operations. 

The biggest change from CPP20212 to CPP20218 is the removal of elective units and the increase of core units.  All 14 units in the upgraded qualification are core units.  New units were written and added, some units were combined to prevent repetition and to align to industry.  Some units were removed.

Security Officers

Security Officers may be at a disadvantage with the older qualification when they apply for new roles or want to add licences to their current registration.  Each licence has its own specific units that must be completed as part of the eligibility criteria. For example, applying for a Crowd Controller function to be added to an existing licence requires the upgrade to the new qualification.  Keeping up to date also reflects a commitment to remaining up to date with current industry practices.  This includes changes to legislation.

Employers

The older qualification is losing its industry relevance because it does not contain units that the security industry believes mirror real practice.  (See reasons for change below). This can leave them financially vulnerable and liable because their staff have not been appropriately trained and are doing tasks in areas in which they have little or no real experience.

How to upgrade

Units must be trained in full, or Credit Transferred from the older qualification.  If you have Credit Transfers (and anyone holding CCP20212 should have at least 5), there should be no requirement to complete the entire qualification again, just the units you can’t Credit Transfer. Discuss options with a reputable RTO. 

Reasons for the change:

From time to time, training packages are reviewed to identify any areas in which they no longer meet the required skills and knowledge specific to the job roles or qualifications.  Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) and Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) work together to identify the skills required for the jobs, new risk factors for both employers and those undertaking the jobs, and other factors influencing modern work practices.  The changes to the training packages are overseen by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), who ensure a national industry-based perspective to the changes.