Showsec

Becoming Showsec’s long-term learning partner

Leading event security company, Showsec, were looking for a strategic partner who could help with building a career path for its employees and professionalise within the sector. We were thrilled when the company chose us to develop a bespoke online learning platform to support their staff skills development programme. 

Their brief

Showsec had the vision to professionalise its sector by creating a structured career path from steward level into junior management, through an innovative work-based curriculum. 

Having already established a Level 2 qualification and a Management Academy, it was now looking for one strategic partner that could help it refine the work done so far, and complete the career path.

Our solution

Showsec chose to work with us for a number of reasons, including:

We helped the company develop a tailored two-stage, work-based Foundation Degree. 
We also built a bespoke online learning platform so that this, and other programmes, could be easily and consistently delivered whilst providing an auditable record of individuals’ training and development. 

Stage one was to redesign Showsec’s 9-month Management Academy and accredit it at Level 4. 

Stage two was to co-design a Level 5 programme, which would combine with the Level 4 programme, to give successful individuals a Foundation Degree in Crowd Management (FdA).

The blended learning and work-based approach meant participants could study modules and complete assignments around their work commitments, giving them ultimate flexibility.

Showsec also became one of our approved collaborative partners. This meant it could deliver a significant part of the FdA itself, covering the skills and knowledge its staff needed, while our tutors made sure the material was underpinned with academic concepts.  

Although Showsec’s tutors were already very skilled, they undertook our Supporting Work-Based Learning programme. A required step in the process of becoming a collaborative partner, this programme enables in-company experts to understand the context of supporting learners in higher education, and the underlying principles of design, delivery, assessment and quality assurance in a work-based context.

The results

Our partnership with Showsec has grown and strengthened over several years. The company now has a suite of learning programmes for a number of management levels: from operations executives, right up to senior regional manager roles. 

In addition, the learning platform we provided has become a critical tool for the business, enabling it to deliver bespoke blended learning in a timely and flexible manner. 

For example, Showsec were able to deliver Counter Terrorism training to 632 people in only three months – these were staff working at BT London Live during the London Olympics 2012. 

Graduates from the Foundation Degree now manage significant parts of the business and are making a real impact. 

For example, Tim Chambers ran Showsec’s largest single venue. He took over from a more experienced employee during the busiest period and was able to maintain margins, saving on salary and recruitment costs. Tim has progressed further still – he was recently appointed Area Manager for Liverpool.

“Recognising my own strengths and weaknesses through constant team working and analysis has made me a more conscientious person and has improved my organisational skills.”

Tim Chambers, learner

“The University listened to our needs and came up with solutions that met our needs…In particular, we found the Manager to Leader element so beneficial that we’ve rolled it out to all existing junior managers.”

Keith Hackett, Learning and Development Manager, Showsec

“It has been a unique and groundbreaking achievement within the industry. The commitment and relationships of both parties have been fundamental to its success. Showsec has witnessed ongoing commercial expansion since 2007 – undoubtedly related to the quality of its management development programme.”

Mark Harding, Managing Director, Showsec