Thieves, vandals and trespassers may find it tougher to outsmart Central Alberta businesses that have taken a new online security course from Red Deer College.
The college has launched a Security Awareness Training program designed to help businesses stay more safe and secure. The introductory course will take an hour to complete.
The training will help people to identify, respond and report on suspicious activity.
Darrell White, program co-ordinator for Business and Leadership within the college’s Continuing Education division, said the course is the first proactive step in dealing with smaller but important safety and security issues that organizations deal with frequently.
“Security is an important part of effective management,” said White. “Criminal activity such as break-ins, theft, vandalism, bomb threats, trespassing, threats of violence to employees and those types of issues are more likely to affect local businesses than terrorism on a larger scale, like the world saw on Sept. 11 (2001).”
The course was created because there is demand, he added.
Pipeline bombings in northeastern British Columbia have raised alarm among a number of companies.
“I think everybody is more aware of it and watching it a lot more closely, whether it’s trespassing or the real simple things,” White said.
The course would serve not only Central Alberta businesses, but those that have operations beyond the region and even overseas. Other businesses in other parts of Canada may also take an interest in the online course, White said.
White said having one hour of training will offer a good solid base for “what you need to be aware of.” Depending on the demand, White said it could be expanded.
The training is being done in co-operation with Calgary-based consulting firm Directed Business Concepts, which has expertise in security issues.
RDC’s new safety and security training will comply with new Canadian Standards Association rules. The National Energy Board helped create the new rules to help lessen threats to energy supplies.
“With this program, you can take security awareness to the shop floor, the field, to the receptionist and to each person in the organization,” said White.
Cost is $39 plus GST per participant. Group pricing is available.
Participants earn a Red Deer College certificate. To check out this new program, go to www.rdc.ab.ca, seek the Continuing Education link and find Business and Leadership. For more information, call 403-342-3550.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com