Providing security training in China – the challenges and gains

The partnership between security providers and training companies supporting the professionalization of the security industry in Asia and the Asia Pacific region is evolving at an increasing rate, with increasing training and professional development opportunities now available that will make the region internationally competitive in providing high quality security services and technology to clients.

At a recent training program in Beijing, where Chinese security operatives completed class work to achieve the Australian qualification of Certificate IV in Security & Risk Management, the overarching theme of improving the status of security through education, training and professionalization was most evident, through questions from students and their attitude towards the training.

Conversations with senior officials of the China Security Association and Beijing Security Association reflected a move in China towards increasing both security management and security officer’s skills and knowledge for the benefit of the individuals, their companies and China. This, of course creates a challenge for non-Chinese national security professionals, who engage with Chinese companies to train up their management and security officer’s.

My time in Beijing, conducting a three-week Certificate course of class work to be followed by individual project work that would be assessed was a challenging and most professionally enjoyable experience. Training students who have all come from military and police backgrounds in subjects that related to business management, security and risk management required an adaptable training style, working closely with my translator (who was also an educator) to ensure that students were able to take in the knowledge required to meet the course requirements.

Course training involved subjects such as:

• ·         Coordinate business resources.
• ·         Promote innovation in a team environment.
• ·         Lead effective workplace relationships.
• ·         Establish effective workplace relationships.
• ·         Lead team effectiveness.
• ·         Implement continuous improvement.
• ·         Develop work priorities.
• ·         Manage a safe workplace in the security industry.
• ·         Implement effective communication techniques.
• ·         Advise on security needs.
• ·         Monitor and review security operations.
• ·         Facilitate workplace briefing and debriefing processes.
• ·         Assess risks.
• ·         Assess threat.
• ·         Identify and assess security of assets.

I found Chinese students to be receptive to new ideas and, at the course closing ceremony, took great pride in watching them conduct presentations of their new found knowledge to officials of the China and Beijing Security Associations and local security companies, in the presence of their Company, Group Chairman, where they exceeded the expectations of Directors and officials in providing security risk assessment analysis and reports on three projects covering VIP protection, anti-piracy security and critical infrastructure security.

Some lessons learnt during my stay in China.

Conducting training in China requires a transition of mindset for those coming from western orientated countries. The business culture in China has idiosyncrasies that, if not well understood, can create a barrier to undertaking business in the nation. It cannot be assumed that all students have equal levels of education and can understand, what in many cases is western concepts in business and security education. Students can come from backgrounds of being well educated to that of not being literate in reading Chinese.

Trainers must spend preparation time, prior to commencing any course, understanding their audience and becoming well acquainted with their translator (if needed). Any Chinese translation of study material or overhead slides must be done in the language of the target audience. 

Although educated Chinese who may have regular dealings with Hong Kong or Taiwan may be able to read Cantonese or Mandarin, it cannot be assumed that all students can do so. It should be recognised that China has 297 living languages, however mainland China now relies on standard (or simplified Chinese) for their written work.  All material for mainland China students should be written in simplified Chinese to avoid misunderstandings.

Unless students can fully understand the written Chinese on an overhead slide, a translator that translates word for word what is said or may be stated on a presentation slide, may lead to mis-translations and errors that create confusion in students minds and can lead to not caring to listen any further. We must be critical in ensuring technical terms and western concepts are translated properly or can be explained and understood through having a translator that can go that extra mile to ensure he, or she, understands the term sufficiently to explain it to students.

The educator and translator must be as one in being able to explain the context and provide examples to reinforce the message that is trying to be imparted to ensure that students understand what is being stated and can relate it to their own situation of prior experiences. This requires a sound inter-personal relationship being built up between the trainer/educator and translator.

Training styles must be adaptable to ensure students clearly understand the material being provided. Some testing adjustments may be required and desk-top exercises may provide enhancements to the learning that questions and answer style testing cannot replace.

Using western academic models on slides will cause students to hold back as they attempt to interpret the multitude of information that often are included in such models.  The use of straight forward slides that provide the information necessary is recommended to allow easy interpretation by students.

As China is becoming more engaged in protecting Chinese interests internationally, trainers/educators must be well informed on a wide range of international laws and protocols that impact on the operations undertaken by many Chinese companies outside of mainland China. Compliance with international law and United Nations protocols and agreements is critical in ensuring security companies are seen as ethical and credible entities in the countries in which they operate.

The success of training to date has reinforced Chinese companies desire to source training and knowledge from countries that are honourable partners. My recent trip allowed me to introduce the International Business Director of our client to the Chinese security industry becoming involved in raising the profile of the security industry in China through the ‘Outstanding Security Performance Awards’.

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) is an international initiative to recognise and reward companies and individuals across the security sector. The OSPAs are designed to be both independent and inclusive, providing an opportunity for outstanding performers, whether buyers or suppliers to be recognised and their success to be celebrated. Current countries involved are Australia, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, the UK, the USA and Nigeria.  

With the support of the China Security Association, China may soon join this international initiative.

China, like other nations in the Asia, South East and Asia Pacific region, is open for business and there are opportunities for partnerships that can be mutually beneficial, if managed properly and respectfully.

I found the experience of conducting training in China to be positive and professionally enlightening. Coming from Darwin, Australia, which is the Australian gateway to Asia; I see future cooperation and partnerships with the many countries in our region as being the bedrock for a great future for our region. Our industry in the region has much to gain and little to lose through our inclusive society of security professionals and practitioners.