The 2008 Skills for Security Conferences, kindly sponsored by City & Guilds, with the theme “Time to Change Gear” focused on the future of the security industry and how it can move forward.

The England and Wales Conference took place at Williams F1 Conference Centre and included a keynote address from Baroness Henig of the SIA and then continued with some very thought provoking and controversial presentations from Noel Walsh, Weightmans, Professor Martin Gill, Perpetuity, Jude Brimble, GMB and Guy Mathias, Huntingdon Life Sciences, to name a few. The afternoon continued with a debate, based on the ‘Make the Change’ campaign started by Stuart Lowden of Wilson James and broadcast by Brian Sims, Editor of SMT and Bobby Logue editor of Infologue.com.

In Belfast, the keynote address was provide by Mike Wilson of the SIA and presentations for the Belfast audience were provided by Jane McKenna from TQ Training, Jill Brunt, NOCN, Brendan Flynn, Federal Security Services and the Minster of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Goggins, MP.

Congratulations go to the award winners, VSG and Federal Security Services who both achieve the Skills for Security Award, sponsored by NOCN for Contribution to Skills Development and Training. 

Industry support is crucial for Skills for Security and the success of these conferences is due to the support we receive from industry stakeholders and employers. We would like to thank all of the speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and award judges for their time and expertise. We would also like to thank all that attended the conference, we hope you enjoyed the events and look forward to welcoming you at our next conference.