The First Security Group (FSG) and Safety Training Awards (STA) a UK awarding and accreditation body have extended their international partnership agreement until 2012. FSG confirms that we plan to increase the range of qualifications we deliver over this period, which will include more of the STA’s specialist swimming teaching and pool management certificates.
The significance of this joint venture means that thousands more people working and living in Dubai, the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have the opportunity to access the full range of STA’s QCA accredited lifeguarding, swimming, first aid and pool management qualifications; and with FSG, as part of this agreement, committing to provide added professional instruction, standards of swimming and water safety on beaches, and at hotel and municipal pools will ultimately be raised in these regions.
STA’s partnership with FSG first began in 2005, and to date thousands of STA qualifications have been delivered, ranging from lifesaving, pool and spa plant operations, to first aid and swimming teaching.
Roger Millward, STA’s Chief Executive says: “Our relationship with FSG is strategically very important. The success of the last three years has illustrated that by working in partnership and providing proven training programmes and qualifications, we can improve water safety awareness in economically developing countries, and in turn help to save many lives in the process.”
“To date we have only really scratched the surface, and this is what makes this announcement so exciting. The potential opportunity for swimming and lifeguard training in these regions is immense, and we are thrilled that FSG has committed to a long-term partnership with STA. Together we can directly raise standards in the leisure industry throughout the region for the benefit of all – local residents, businesses and tourists.”
Robert Chandler, General Manager for Training and Development at FSG adds: “On retiring from more than 35 years each of active police service in Dubai the ten Major Generals came together to form a company that had the enhancement of Dubai’s safety and security as its core responsibility. Preservation of life and personal safety was one of the aspects incorporated in the company vision. Dubai started out with a beach front of a mere 165 kilometres and it is planned to extend this to more than 1 500 kilometres by means of innovative reclamation, channelling and construction methodology. Thus it stands to reason that water safety must feature highly on programs addressing personal safety. Our partnership with STA is entrenching a Global brand within our organisation with the accompanying skills and expertise to lead the community in our objective to save lives and prevent injury.
The commitment from both the STA and FSG to forge this long-partnership also comes at a very significant and important time for the region. Dubai’s magnitude as an all year-round international tourism destination is growing, resulting in a demand for enhanced safety and security measures at pools and beaches.