Frequently Asked Questions

Are the courses certificated?

Yes, all students attending our training courses receive a certificate. For those students successfully completing the 50 hour basic foot and mobile course, they will receive either a BTEC Advanced Award at Level 3 accredited by Edexcel or a Customised Award at Level 3 accredited by the Northern College of Further Education (NCFE) depending on which assessment they wish to take.

Completion of our 5 day progressive course and our 10 day advanced course entitles you to a BTEC Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Mobile & Foot Surveillance accredited by Edexcel. This is the first qualification of its kind in the UK.

Our training is also endorsed and accredited by Skills for Security.

What backgrounds do the students have?

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

What do the costs involve?

The course fees include all training facilities, vehicles and equipment. Accreditation body registration and assessment fees vary and they are to be added to the costs. The NCFE certificate is currently £20.00 and Edexcel £60.00. Students only have to bring with them suitable clothing and an enthusiastic approach to learning. Accommodation and evening meals are not included in the costs. We do provide lunches and 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 £50.00 per night. For the 10 day course, we can normally negotiate self catering accommodation at £25.00 per night.

If you book early enough (currently with 21 days notice) accommodation can be obtained at Skipton Travel Lodge for £15.00 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. We teach skills that are necessary for gathering evidence by covert means which will be accepted by the Courts. We do not make false statements or unrealistic statements to glamorise our courses in order to make them more attractive to potential students.

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. Be aware of training providers who claim to carry out live surveillance work. The target may not leave their house / premises and you will have wasted your money watching a property all day without having received any beneficial training.

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

Our course 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. 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 known to us that are looking for surveillance operators. Be aware of any training providers that promises you with work after the course.

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 Europe 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 and the USA. 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 or cheque. 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.

Do I have to attend the basic Part 1 Course before I attend the 5 Day Part 2 Course?

Ideally yes. We decided to split this course into two parts as this was recommended by many of our previous students who could not attend training for 2 weeks.

The 5 day course picks up where the Part 1 Course finished and so does not interrupt the flow of training. This second phase of training is accredited by Edexcel to qualify for a BTEC Certificate (120 hours) in Advanced Mobile & Foot Surveillance.

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. 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 surveillance instructors.

What is Skills For Security?

Skills for Security (formerly SITO), is the skills and standards setting body for the security industry. The organisation aims to work with employers to raise skill levels within the sector and provide a workforce that is highly trained and fit for purpose. Our five day foot & mobile surveillance course has been accredited by Skills For Security.

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. Be aware of training providers who mislead by claiming to provide surveillance training approved by the SIA, this is a false statement.

In a similar manner, be aware of training companies that offer Edexcel accreditations. They may teach several subjects but only one or two will be accredited. Check if their surveillance training is accredited, you only have to ask.

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

The easy answer to that is, we do not know, nor does anyone else. The SIA have not yet decided on whether Private Investigators or Surveillance Operators have to display 'competency' as part of the licencing process. Should they decide that you have to prove or display competency in surveillance then our awards and certificates will prove this.

We run surveillance training courses in order to train you in surveillance, not to obtain licences. We recently had an enquirer who stated that if our qualification did not help her obtain a licence than she will not waste her money by attending on a course. It would appear that this person only wants a licence but not do the training. As a consequence (if the SIA have their way), she would be licenced to carry out something that she is not trained to do as she had no previous experience!

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