Mitie Security launches UK’s first Store Detective qualification

• Mitie has launched the security industry’s first specialist Store Detective qualification, a Level 3 certificate which is equivalent to an A Level
• Including five mandatory modules, colleagues will learn every aspect of working as a retail Store Detective, including gathering evidence and legal requirements
• Mitie will put at least 50 colleagues through the training a year, starting with existing Store Detectives before expanding to its Security Officers

Mitie Security has become the first security provider to develop a formal Store Detective qualification. Independently regulated and Ofqual approved, the Level 3 certification is equivalent to an A Level and has been developed to provide long term careers and development opportunities in the security sector.

Having identified that there was no formal qualification available to retail Store Detectives, Mitie took the opportunity to invest in creating the training, which is the first of its kind. The qualification has been designed using the knowledge of Mitie’s retail security experts, alongside the National Open College Network (NOCN), a leading regulated awarding organisation.

The course content has been designed to give Store Detectives the skills they need to perform their role and covers five mandatory units, including ‘Understanding dealing with offenders and evidence’, ‘Understanding the legal aspects of a retail Store Detective’s role’ and ‘Understanding the use of self-scan shopping systems in a retail environment’. Each unit is then reviewed and discussed in weekly face-to-face coaching and development sessions. To achieve the qualification, each colleague must successfully complete all five units which include practical assessments, such as role play scenarios, as well as passing a closed book invigilated exam.

With around 250 Store Detectives in the business, Mitie will put at least 50 colleagues per year through the new training, as well as supporting Security Officers who want to take the next step in their career. Colleagues who complete the course then have the opportunity to progress onto a further qualification, such as the Level 3 Security First Line Manager Apprenticeship. The first cohort of 10 colleagues started their course in the beginning of September and are expected to achieve their qualifications by late October.

“We’re proud to be leading our industry with the development of the UK’s first Store Detective qualification. We’re committed to offering not just a job, but a long-term career full of development opportunities for our people. The demand for security personnel throughout the pandemic has been unprecedented, particularly in the retail sector. Through initiatives such as this, we can attract the very best talent to our sector.”

Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Mitie to develop the Level 3 Certificate for Store Detectives which underpins their commitment as an employer in relation to developing their staff and creating career opportunities within the security industry.”

Stuart Galloway, Security Product Manager, National Open College Network (NOCN), said:

Notes to editors

The NOCN Level 3 Certificate for Store Detectives is available to those 18 and over, with Security Industry Authority (SIA) accreditation, and prior experience as a Security Officer or Store Detective in a retail environment.

About Mitie

Founded in 1987, Mitie’s job is to look after places where Britain works and is the leading facilities management company in the UK. We offer a range of services to Central Government and Defence customers; Communities (Healthcare, Education and Local Authorities); and Technical Services (Engineering Services, Energy, Water and Real Estate Services) and Business Services (Security, Cleaning and Office Services) to Private Sector clients in Financial Services, Manufacturing, Transport, Retail and Telecoms and increasingly to the public sector. Finally, our Specialist Services (Care & Custody, Landscapes and Waste Management) division serves both the public and private sector in higher margin niche businesses.

Mitie acquired Interserve’s FM business in December 2020 and now employs 75,000 people we are the champion of the ‘Front-Line Heroes’ who have kept Britain working during the COVID-19 pandemic. We take care of our customers’ people and buildings, through the ‘Science of Service’, delivering essential services and deploying industry leading technology to create safe and effective workspaces.

The business continues to execute its technology-led strategy and in the past six months has received multiple awards.