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The head of a Ghana Airport Company arrived in Doncaster to take part in the official opening of the of UK’s National Security Training Centre (NSTC), which has now opened its doors for business.

 

Caroline Flint MP officially opened the centre, based at Robin Hood Airport, and toured the new training centre, which will provide the United Kingdom with a National centre of excellence for the provision of high quality aviation security training.

 

Redline Aviation Security, founders of the NSTC, invited key figures from Ghana to the opening of their state of the art facility. Redline maintains an office in Accra along with strategic partners, Yahuda Security. Redline and Yahuda are planning on running courses in Ghana and are pioneering an aviation security instructor exchange programme.  

 

Mayor Peter Davies also attended, after speaking about how Robin Hood Airport is an important asset to Doncaster and went on to explain how the new facility will create quality jobs in the area as well as business opportunities for other locally based aviation companies.

 

All training and support services are regulated and directed by the Department for Transport and are under the auspices of the UK National Aviation Security Programme.

 

Paul Mason, Managing Director of the NSTC said: “We are delighted to open a world class training centre which is the start of a different era of security training available in the UK.”   

 

Helen Gripton, the Redline Threats Officer and veteran of recent air campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan went on to explain “It is our belief that the aviation security industry needs both the facilities and the training equipment that allow for robust, reliable and repeatable training in scenario-led situations to prepare them adequately.”

 

“Through the centre, we aim to ensure the best possible security training by thinking ahead regarding what the real threats are and giving appropriate and holistic training, ensuring everybody is working from the same policies.”

 

The size and capacity of the NSTC caters for such training where real x-ray equipment and Walk Through Metal Detectors (WTMD) are utilised for practical exercises and role-play. This aspect of the training is where Redline believe the fundamental difference in security officer competence occurs.

 

The ability for trainees to actually experience a situation and allow it to develop, safely, to a conclusion that assesses the trainee’s ability to recognise, act and contain a threat situation is fundamental was demonstrated when the team at the NSTC re-enacted a situation for the benefit of their guests present at the opening.

 

James Termini, the Business Director, was also especially proud to welcome the delegates from Ghana to Doncaster and hoped that their visit will assist the Ghanaians in their desire to become the leading hub for aviation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Caroline Flint MP said, “I’m delighted to welcome everyone to the National Security Training Centre in Doncaster, especially our international visitors.

 

“Everyone at Redline has shown a huge amount of vision and insight by establishing such a facility which will be of huge benefit to Doncaster, where professionals will be trained to the highest possible standards.”

 

Chris Dungworth, Manager of the Doncaster Council Invest in Doncaster team said:

“We have worked with Redline Aviation for the last three years and have provided funding and other assistance and support to help them to get where they are now.

Aviation is an opportunity to bring a new cluster to Doncaster, one which creates quality jobs, and we’re glad to be a part of it.”

 

Redline Aviation Security founders of the NSTC intend to broaden their field into the areas of rail and sea travel with a view to supporting the security aspirations of the 2012 London Olympics.