Frequently Asked Questions

Why are your courses set at Level 3 and not Level 4?

In our opinion, its a sales gimmick.

Level 3 could be best described as 'boots on the ground doing it' whilst Level 4 would be best described as 'managing those on the ground'. There is no possibility that a person with a Level 4 certificate will be more effective or proficient on the ground carrying out surveillance than a Level 3 operative, having had the same length of training. A Level 4 operative is likely to have spent more time in a classroom learning about management rather than be on the ground carrying out live training.

ISS Training Ltd were the first company to accredit surveillance training with Btec Awards and Certificates with Edexcel, other training providers then followed suit. If we thought there was an advantage to you having a Level 4 Award, we would be teaching it. Potential employers will look at your skills and what you can do competently on the ground regardless of a Level 3 or 4.

What backgrounds do the students have?

The backgrounds differ, we teach students with no experience at all who wish to make a career in the security field together with experienced investigators and Close Protection Officers.

A recent course, nine students had the following backgrounds: 1 Close Protection Officer, 2 Foreign Enforcement Officers, 1 Corporate Investigator from a major brand company, 2 Military Resettlement soldiers and 3 newcomers to the industry.

We do not rely on or overload our courses with military resettlement personnel. This gives the students the opportunity to network with other students who may already be in the security industry and hopefully lead to an exchange of employment.

We teach both male and female students.

I am a Close Protection Officer, will the course compliment my current skills?

Most definitely. Many close protection officers carry out surveillance work during their 'down time' or when their CP work is quiet. Our course will provide you with the skills to do this and ultimately make you more qualified and more employable.

In addition, by learning our surveillance skills, you will be familiar with anti-surveillance and counter surveillance measures, which will enable you to carry out your CPO duties more effectively. Our Counter Surveillance course is specifically designed for the CPO.

How many students are there per course?

We attempt to run the courses with a maximum of eight or nine students. We are not a surveillance 'factory' that wishes to churn out as many students as we can. We endeavour to provide first class training by providing a suitable student : instructor ratio. The foot and mobile surveillance courses have three trainers.

What do the costs involve?

The course fees include all training facilities, vehicles, fuel and equipment. Our course vehicles are rented from a reputable supplier to ensure that they are safe, reliable and roadworthy at all times.

We use the latest digital covert communication systems suitable for the purpose

Accreditation registration and assessment fees are optional and have to be added to the costs if required. The Edexcel certificate is currently £90.00. Students only have to bring with them suitable clothing and an enthusiastic approach to learning. Accommodation, lunch and evening meals are not included in the costs. We do provide refreshments throughout the course.

We accept payments using the MOD ELCAS Scheme

What about accommodation and the costs?

Accommodation is available at the training venue, there are also plenty of guest houses in the area as our training facility is located in Skipton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. We provide a list of accommodation together with a map of the area with your course joining instructions. Costs for accommodation can range between £25.00 and £60.00 per night.

If you book early enough (currently with 21 days notice) accommodation can be obtained at Skipton Travel Lodge for £19.00 per night but please check as this is a Travel Lodge promotion not ours.

Is the course content realistic?

Yes, the trainers practice what they preach. All the trainers are practicing commercial investigators and trainers with experience in either a regular Military, Intelligence or Police surveillance background, whilst we are not teaching, we are still carrying out surveillance related investigations for a variety of commercial clients. We teach skills that are necessary for gathering evidence by covert means which will be accepted by the Courts.

The 5 day course is split 60% practical and 40% classroom theory, whilst the 2 week course is 80% practical. Our experience in teaching surveillance tells us that this is the right balance to absorb and pracstice what is taught.

Do you carry out 'Live' surveillance jobs on the course?

No, our training exercises are realistic enough, structured and controlled to gain the most benefit to the student and their particular learning curve. The training targets are able and qualified to test the class progressively throughout. We do use targets that are unknown to the class in order to create realism and to obtain realistic feedback.

Will I be able to get a job in Private Investigation or on the Surveillance Circuit?

Our courses will train you to be a proficient surveillance operator. After learning the fundamentals on our course, you will require practice and experience to further your skills (as in any subject). We are members of the Association of British Investigators (ABI) and the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI) and have a reputation for high standards.

If you are approaching established agencies for work, your certificate and qualification will display a level of competency in surveillance, ISS Training Ltd have an unrivalled reputation in the industry, which should also assist you. We do not and cannot promise any student with work after they have finished the course. However, many students often 'network' after having met on the course and provide mutual work.

We can also point students in the direction of organisations that ask us to 'talent scout' for surveillance operators.

Is the course suitable for those that have no experience?

Yes, the less you know - the better! We have trained those with no experience at all and often they perform very well on the course. Inexperienced students may arrive with some pre-conceived ideas but they will have no bad habits or bad practices, which can be an advantage.

I do not have a driving licence, can I still attend the course?

Yes. You will carry out the same duties as the other students, except that you will obviously not drive a vehicle. You will still learn and practice the same skills. We do not teach driving skills as part of the course but you are required to understand basic map reading and navigation. We often receive students from abroad who are concerned about driving on 'the other side' of the road, this should not put you off as you can still qualify for the Level 3 qualification if you choose not to drive (its optional).

If you operate mainly in London or large cities, our 3 day course purely on foot surveillance may be of interest to you. This course is very testing and involves surveillance on tube trains, buses with a taxi or motorbike in support of the team.

Are you able to teach advanced driving techniques?

No, but we can put you in touch with someone that can. In surveillance you have to be a confident, proficient and safe driver. Surveillance is carried out in a manner which is relaxed, controlled and un-noticeable. Hand brake turns and wheel spins only attract unwanted attention which goes against the grain in surveillance. If you are training for surveillance in a hostile area, it would be recommended that you advance your driving skills with a reputable company.

Do you provide an 'after sales' service?

Yes, the trainers are always happy to remain in contact with students and will answer any queries that you have regarding surveillance related projects. Advice comes free.

Can you run a course for our team of investigators at our company premises?

Most definitely. We regularly run courses tailored to our corporate clients needs at their own premises in the UK, throughout Europe the Middle East, Far East and the USA. Our mobile training team is also experienced in teaching Enforcement, Intelligence and Military units in their host country.

We can tailor a course to suit your needs, costs and time frame.

How can I pay for a training course?

A deposit is required in order to secure a place and then joining instructions will be sent. The remaining fees are due upon joining the course and we can accept payment by cash, credit card, cheque or bank transfer. We are VAT registered and a VAT receipt will be issued upon payment of fees.

We are Preferred Suppliers to the MOD Career Transition Partnership and accept payment by ELCAS.

Can I send you a CV/Resume for consideration of employment?

CV's are only accepted by post, any documents sent by email or as attachments are not opened. We are not just a training company but also carry out operational surveillance. All CV's are responded to.

If you have experience in teaching surveillance at a military, police or government level we would like to hear from you. At present we have a base of 8 qualified male and female surveillance instructors.

Are You an SIA Approved Supplier?

No. The SIA only approves suppliers for training ONLY if that subject/activity is licensable such as Close Protection and Door Supervisors. Because surveillance and private investigation is not yet a licensable activity, there are no Approved Suppliers under the SIA.

Will the qualification help me get an SIA licence when it is introduced?

At the SIA conference held in Manchesteron 20th May 2009, in response to a question from the President of the Association of British Investigators, the acting CEO of the SIA, Andy Drane stated that licensing of Private Investigators was being held back by the Home Office until "at least 2012," as it was felt that “private investigators were not perceived as a threat to the public" (which includes surveillance operators) and that the licensing of them is not considered a priority by the government.

Therefore licencing has been put on the back burner and we will have to wait another two years before this issue is raised again.

We run surveillance training courses in order to train you in surveillance, not to obtain licences.

Why don't you have student testimonials on your website?

Client testimonials can often be fabricated and our clients do not wish their private details to be listed on our website and thus advertise the fact that they have undergone surveillance training. The fact that we have been trading since 1990 and have an international client base at government, enforcement and military level is sufficient. We are also inspected annually by the British Standards Institute to ensure our standards are of the highest possible.

If you would like to speak to a past student, we will be happy to pass their details to you after checking if it is okay with them.

Please contact us if you require any further information or a course booking form.

Our Promise

To provide training which is realistic, factual and beneficial to surveillance in the real world.

Frequently Asked Questions - ISS Training Limited