TRAINING NOTES

Quality Through Training | Quality Trained Officer | Certified Security Manager

The class always received high praise from the attendees because it teaches our Supervisors about the nuts and bolts of our business and trains them to be better at everything they do. The subjects taught in this class include: Account Standards, Performing Employee Appraisals, Leadership, and Managing the Disciplinary Process.
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QUALITY THROUGH TRAINING
Apollo has created two distinct training programs: the QUALITY TRAINED OFFICER^TM and the CERTIFIED SECURITY MANAGER^TM. The primary goal of each program is to prepare our employees to provide quality security services. Each level has a prerequisite program, which reinforces and enhances the previous level. Once an officer completes Levels I through III, he/she will be awarded the status of QUALITY TRAINED OFFICER^TM and be eligible to move into a supervisory position. Once in a supervisory position, the person will then start to complete the courses in the CERTIFIED SECURITY MANAGER^TM Program. The ultimate goal is to have all Area Managers and above awarded the status of CPP.

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QUALITY TRAINED OFFICER
The QUALITY TRAINED OFFICER^TM introduces a security officer to the necessary aspects of the security profession. The New Hire Orientation (Level I) is mandatory for all new employees. The class reviews the basic function of the security officer and provides instruction in report writing, human relations, legal issues, emergency response, blood borne pathogens, as well as an orientation to Apollo Security and its culture.

We recognize that every client is unique, therefore one training program will not fit all, and to do so would leave us significantly deficient in our Quality Service. Our level II training is our site specific Training Program. The OJT program is based upon detailed site-specific post orders that are created at the account start up, and maintained by the Account Manager and Area Manager. A training officer, who reviews the procedures with a new officer, uses a detailed training checklist, which mirrors the post orders. Once that new officer has completed the checklist and become comfortable with the procedures, he/she is given a test to review the training. As we score this test, we don’t look at it as a reflection upon the officer, but upon the trainer. The goal is to have the test serve as a safety net. Questions that are answered incorrectly are reviewed by the officer until the supervisor and trainer are comfortable that he/she knows and understands the procedures. Level II training is mandatory for all officers at all sites where they work. Level II testing is renewed annually.

Unlike Level I and Level II, Level III is voluntary. We feel that the first two levels provide excellent instruction for all security officers. The purpose of having Level III voluntary is to help in differentiating the employees who are interested in career advancement within the organization. Level III is a self-study program that expands upon the topics found in Level I. Each officer is given a series of booklets that, combined with online resources and supervisor assistance, provides the officer with an extensive review of emergency response, customer service awareness, and report writing.

As the officer completes each category, he/she will take an examination on that subject. Once all category tests are satisfactorily completed, the officer will have completed Level III, and will be awarded a bonus and a certificate as a QUALITY TRAINED OFFICER^TM. The focus of Level III is not just on detailed security training, but also on customer service training. The QUALITY TRAINED OFFICER^TM Program is a key component in determining eligibility for promotion to a supervisory position. Once a security officer is promoted into a supervisory position, that individual will become eligible to enter the Certified Security Manager Program.

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CERTIFIED SECURITY MANAGER^TM
The CERTIFIED SECURITY MANAGER^TM program is unique in the industry. It prepares an employee to manage within the organization, as well as to be security professionals. Therefore, each site supervisor, account manager, and area manager can provide our clients with expertise and assistance as an experienced security professional.

The Supervisor Leadership Class (Level IV) is mandatory for all shift supervisors and above. The focus of the Supervisor Leadership Class is not just on developing their base supervisory/ management skill, but on developing their leadership ability as well. We believe that in order to provide the best level of quality service, we need supervisors and managers who exhibit exceptional leadership skills.

The class covers many important topics: leadership, managing the disciplinary policy, legal review of anti-harassment laws, handling performance reviews, quality account standards, and the importance of security officer training. The account standards required by Apollo are how to motivate, reward and improve employees through the performance appraisals. The program was created and is taught by Senior Apollo Management. This program requires all participants to pass an extensive examination. Participants must score 75% or better to complete the class. Those who score less must retake the class.

The Security Manager Training (Level V) is more than just a class; it is a program all to itself. Unlike previous levels, all participants must be nominated by their Area Manager, approved by the Vice President of Operations and must meet the following requirements:

1. Worked for Apollo for more than one year;
2. Have completed Levels I-IV; and
3. Be in an account manager’s position with 336 hours or more.

The Security Manager Class consists of 40 hours of instruction over nine weeks. Each class is overseen by the Senior Vice President and taught by managers who have completed the CSM program and obtained the CPP designation. CCTV and access control are taught by Team AVS, a leader in electronic security and system integration.

The focus of Level V is to teach our managers the security profession. The outline of the class is similar to the CPP program with instruction in:

1. Legal issues for the security manager
2. Physical security
3. Security management
4. Emergency planning
5. Workplace violence
6. Investigations
7. Controlling sensitive information
8. CCTV and access control
9. Completing a security survey

Upon successful completion of the program, candidates must complete a 150 question exam. Those who score 85% or higher are awarded the designation of Certified Security Manager. Once a manager achieves their CSM, Apollo Security encourages and sponsors them to prepare and take the CPP exam.

SUMMARY:
We believe that our pyramid of training programs is one of the best in the industry. It is more than just a marketing program. It is a great training program. It gives our security officers and managers the skills they need to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations of quality security services. "Quality through Training" is the motto of our program. We consider training to be our highest priority and that is why our Senior Vice President oversees the training operation. It is our dedication to training which has guided and led "Our Tradition: Quality Security."

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