NZSA CEO’s May Newsletter

In his May update, NZSA CEO Gary Morrison discusses Fair Pay Agreement, PSPLA processing delays, vulnerable workers, school career pathways promotion NZCiS Level 3, online training hub, and more.

I’m sure that like me you will be wondering where this year is disappearing to!

Before documenting some of the more important developments within the industry, I would just like to take the opportunity to thank all of those NZSA members who have renewed their membership for the 2023/2024 year. I appreciate that many businesses are finding conditions challenging at the moment and it certainly validates our efforts to provide value, and the worth of a strong and effective peak body, when we see an exceptional level of renewal.

Gary Morrison is CEO of the New Zealand Security Association (NZSA). A qualified accountant, Gary was GM of Armourguard Security for New Zealand and Fiji prior to establishing Icon Security Group.

FPA (Fair Pay Agreement) update

As we have reported in earlier communications, Etū has formally applied to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to commence the process of bargaining a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for Security Guards/Officers.

It is important to note that the application is for an occupation based FPA (being Security Guards/Officers) rather than industry based, which would have entailed excluding nonrelevant roles.

Whilst the application was filed in late March, the reality is that the process will take quite some time.

On receipt of the application MBIE needs to verify and validate that the application meets all legislative requirements, including contacting at least 25% of the 1000 plus workers who signed in support of the application. As an indication, earlier applications have taken about four months to complete this phase.

MBIE then has to ensure that the proposed coverage clause is clear and if required, may seek public feedback on the application.

Once the application has been approved, MBIE will liaise with the respective bargaining parties (Etū for employees and NZSA for employers) and the parties will have a threemonth window in which to formalise their respective bargaining teams. Only at that time can bargaining commence and, in our estimation, it is unlikely that this will occur prior to early 2024.

It should also be noted that both National and Act have stated they will repeal the FPA legislation if in government following the election in October this year.

This is a significant issue for the industry, and we will ensure that we provide comprehensive updates as required.

PSPLA processing delays

The PSPLA has advised that they have experienced recent processing delays with CoA applications and renewals. The issue related to glitches in the IT Case Management System which created a significant backlog. The issues have been addressed and we are advised that applications for Temporary Licences are back to being processed within two working days of receipt and full CoA applications within 6 to 7 working days, providing there are no objections, and the applicant passes the criminal history check.

Should any further issues occur, the PSPLA has committed to posting alerts on their website and emailing the NZSA and larger security companies advising of the delay and outlining what can be done for urgent applications that need processing.

Schedule 6A – Vulnerable Workers (employer obligations)

On 1 July 2021 changes were made to the Employment Relations Order 2021 that extended Part 6A Protections to Security Officers.

Under these protections, if a business is sold, transferred or contracted out to another employer, or if the business lost the security contract or the client decides to move the security function in-house:

– Continuity of employment: security officers can choose to transfer their employment to the new employer.

– The same employment conditions: security officers can keep their existing terms and conditions, and any types of leave that they may have left, as if there was no change of employer.

Security officers can also decide not to transfer to the new employer, but this could mean they may be made redundant by the original employer.

We remind employers that it is a legal requirement that they comply with the legislation and that failure to do so may result in prosecution and significant penalties.

If employers are uncertain of the requirements, I strongly recommend that you contact us on nzsa@security. org.nz and request a copy of the restricted document Member Guidance for Part 6A Vulnerable Workers –Transfer of Undertaking – Best Practice Guideline.

Members support School Career Pathways promotion

In our last newsletter we mentioned that representatives from Red Badge Group and Alarm Solutions 2002 were attending a “speed dating careers event” at St Bede’s College in Christchurch. Feedback from those in attendance has been very positive and with significant interest in security career opportunities being registered by a large number of students.

Developing School Gateway Program

We are pleased to advise that we are currently forming a partnership with The Learning Place training organisation to provide an opportunity for Year 13 secondary students to gain work in the security industry, including both the protective security and electronic security sectors.

Students will complete their CoA and additional health and safety training before undertaking work experience with an NZSA member. Conditions will be applied to ensure compliance from a licensing perspective.

This is a great opportunity for students to gain a valuable insight into the security industry and a great opportunity for NZSA members to provide work experience and potentially an opportunity to recruit new people to their business.

We look forward to keeping you posted as we move towards launching the program.

Delivery of NZCiS (New Zealand Certificate in Security) Level 3

We recently distributed an update from Te Pūkenga detailing the delivery of the NZCiS Level 3 qualification – Te Pūkenga information.

This is a great opportunity for employers to develop and upskill their staff and we encourage our members to contact Sean Hennessy on security@ earnlearn.ac.nz for more information.

For clarification – the delivery excludes the Mandatory/CoA Training and employers can still conduct this training through existing PTE relationships however the training will not be funded.

NZSA and MSD Contract for placement of entry level Security Technicians

In our last newsletter we announced that the NZSA had entered into a short-term trial contract with MSD targeting the placement of candidates on the Job Seeker Benefit into fulltime employment as entry level Security Technicians. As part of the support being provided, the NZSA will be able to use contract funding to provide successful candidates with a laptop, a comprehensive range of tools, work boots and enrolment into the Foundation Training programme for entry level Security Technicians.

Our first placement under the contract commenced employment with ICE Security in early March and has excelled in his role.

To date we have identified a further 7 potential candidates and from feedback received, a number of those candidates are currently progressing with interviews and will hopefully receive employment offers in the coming weeks.

NZSA Online Training Hub

A reminder to members, and wider industry, that the NZSA Online Training Hub is live and can be accessed via the NZSA website. Training resources currently available on the Training Hub are:

– Literacy and Numeracy Modules

Electronic Security Good Practice

– Foundation Entry Level Security Technician Training Programme

We are currently looking to include a Foundation Training Programme for Security Officers and will have more information on this within the next month.

NZSA Saved a Life Medal

We were thrilled to announce our inaugural winners of the NZSA Saved a Life Medal last month. Congratulations to:

– Leitualamavae Vaa and Shelley Herbert from Armourguard Security

- Lily Wilson from Alpha Security

Also congratulations our Highly Commended recipient Mike Fairbrother from Alarm Solutions.

To read the full story of their outstanding efforts see the NZSA website.

We also remind our members that nominations can be submitted via the NZSA website.

OSPA (Outstanding Security Professional Awards)

I have been asked by several of our members why the NZSA supports a rival awards event and whether it is intended that the OSPA’s will eventually replace the New Zealand Security Awards event hosted by the NZSA.

The NZSA is committed to promoting a thriving security industry that operates professionally and ethically, where best practice and continuous improvement are recognised and rewarded, and where our employees are provided with opportunity and professional development.

For those reasons we fully support all opportunities to celebrate the achievements and successes of those who work within the security industry and our view is that events such as the OSPA’s complement our efforts rather than being a competitor.

I can also assure our members that the New Zealand Security Awards event will only get bigger and better! We will continue to host the awards event at a date later in the year (normally September or October) and will take the hosting to regions outside of Auckland every second year. The New Zealand Security Awards also feature significantly more award categories with a stronger focus on the individuals providing the service.

On that note, please ensure that you have 15th September locked into your diary for this year’s Awards event being held at the stunning Te Pae Events Centre in Christchurch.

As always, we welcome all comments and feedback on NZSA or industry issues and activity.

Keep safe and well.

Kind

Regards

Gary Morrison CEO