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Job: security
OVER the past few weeks, the country has been witness to several terrorist attacks, and become acutely aware of the need for better and more efficient security systems. The safety of human lives and of our assets, both individual and national, has become a matter of increasing concern. And while the police services and paramilitary and other security forces have been entrusted with this task, the enormity of the responsibility has brought in many more players, particularly private expertise and manpower. With the spurt in the growth of infrastructure, shopping malls, business houses, industrial installations as well as individual and private establishment in the metros and other urban and suburban places, there has been an increase in the need for security personnel and services to ensure safety at all times. Threats from terrorist organisations, disgruntled elements, vandals, and personal enmities as well as political instability have all been causes for the destruction of vital installations and property. It is not possible for the police in any state to deploy security personnel everywhere and so, private security agencies have been making their presence felt, and their effectiveness is being valued. Some work along with the police forces, some independently.
Security concerns cover a variety of services. From the simple guard outside the door to sophisticated electronic surveillance, today’s security services are trained to handle them all. Today's threats are increasingly complex and intense at a time when business development operations are becoming more interrelated and global. Every major public service, and infrastructure installation is constantly under threat. In business, this is of great importance as investment in security can significantly reduce a company's vulnerability to many factors that threaten performance. Manned security is probably the only true effective form of reducing vandalism, theft and criminal damage to property and threats to staff. Today, there are over 10,000 private security agencies operating in the country. Most organisations provide a comprehensive spectrum of security services from a one man-guarding contract to a multi-manned security team. This can include guarding, electronic security, and corporate intelligence and investigations for industrial houses and business establishments. The advance of technology has transformed the perception of security and provided a new dimension to the traditional guarding business. Combining the services of men and machines, today, any establishment can be monitored and protected from intruders. Most security systems are software driven and customised to suit the client's requirement and complement the manpower security, or function independently. There are access control systems that restrain the access of people into private or secure environments, and video door phones help to recognise and identify the visitor before he can enter. Other than the closed circuit TVand burglar alarm systems, many agencies also utilise perimeter protection systems, explosive detectors and other electronic surveillance devices to ensure protection. Modern technology can detect fire in all weather conditions and control it optimally. Those working in security services therefore range from the simple security guards at the door to sophisticated software engineers and management experts who handle the design, implementation, maintenance, and coordination of all services. With newer kinds of crime evolving every day, technology and manpower have to be constantly upgraded to meet the challenge. Comprehensive training to its human resource and quality improvement are often a large part of the ongoing work at most agencies. Many agencies also cover investigation and detective services, as crime could cover pirating and information theft. Companies hire detectives to get information about other organisations, infringement of trademarks and copyright, piracy of goods or to verify the assets of someone who has applied for a loan. The scope of the information gathering operation can even be global, as business itself covers continents. Pre and post-employment verifications are also often conducted by various companies, with the help of private detectives. With the range of services being provided by security agencies one can get into this career at the very basic level of a security personnel, or that of an expert with intelligence training. Most security agencies recruit hundreds of candidates who have cleared Class X and XII and meet the physical requirements for training in security. Before being placed on an assignment, most agencies conduct their own training which includes skills in threat detection, protection, combat, fire-fighting, materials control and accounting, as well as soft skills such as courtesy, a positive attitude and loyalty towards a client. This is because security guards not only handle physical security requirements, but also situations that call for intelligence and judgment. While the physical training could include a drill, physical conditioning and unarmed combat, professional training is imparted to effectively handle any kind of emergency like personal protection, security patrolling, industrial unrest, as well as liaison with the police, filing of an FIR, record keeping of men, materials and vehicles. People skills training to handle all aspects of industrial relations with government departments, customer care and so on are also often part of the course. Many of the larger security agencies have set up their own private institutes to train personnel for security duties. Such programmes will be of great help in establishing this relatively new career field as a professional pursuit. Senior entries from the defence services and other paramilitary and security services are also possible, and many of the security agencies have been set up by former defence personnel. Graduates can enhance their prospects in this field by appearing for the Certified Security Professional (CSP) certification exam, conducted by the International Institute of Security and Safety Management. With security threats looming large over the country, there is a huge manpower requirement for security personnel, in the urban and rural areas. With so many multinational companies basing themselves and setting up operations in India, all of them look for trained security people. The sector has also seen the entry of foreign security companies bringing in sophisticated technology and training systems into the country. Moreover, it is estimated that the Commonwealth Games itself will need over 10,000-15,000 certified security guards. So, if you have completed school and are looking for immediate employment, here is as assignment which can help you grow. By studying and acquiring experience you can upgrade yourself to the level of a general manager in a couple of years. If you are a graduate or working professional looking for a career change, here is a career with a lot of thrill and adventure. So, ensure your future security and that of others by opting for the security services. The writer is a noted career expert
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Career Hotline Q. I have done my Bachelor’s in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS). I wanted to know whether it is possible for me to work as a spa trainer as I am very interested in health and fitness. — Yogesh Batra
Medical assistance is necessary to treat certain ailments. With people becoming aware of the benefits of the age-old healing techniques, ayurveda specialists are more in demand. A BAMS degree, preferably with a couple of years of hands-on experience in wellness or beauty-related field, can get you a position in a spa. Due to a lack of awareness, not many people choose this field, resulting in a dearth of professionals and of opportunities for those interested. There are several certificate and diploma courses offered by health and beauty centres that can get you a position in a spa. An initial training programme / certification from a reputed institute followed by hands-on experience will gear you for the task. Spa trainers can expect a starting package of around Rs 8,000-10,000 a month. The writer is a noted career consultant
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Classroom apart
— Pammi Singh A. Unlike your teachers in school, university professors in the USA rarely check attendance or day-to-day homework. You are expected to be responsible for yourself and your obligations as a student (you’ll be treated as an adult and, in turn, will be expected to behave as one). But don’t worry — you won’t be left completely on you own. Universities have a sophisticated service infrastructure to help you. There are counselling centres, residence advisors, medical services, placement offices, etc Sure, the freedom at college can be difficult to get used to. Immense study load with an emphasis on self-study vs rote learning, on the one hand, and the numerous distractions, including a new multi-cultural environment, on the other hand, may pull you in opposite directions. One of the most important things you can learn during your first months at university is “balance”.
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It also launched the NCDEX Commodity Professional Programme, a 50-hour part-time programme that combines e-learning, classroom training and online simulated trading. The course, which at present is available only in Delhi, commenced the first batch in the national capital, a release issued in New Delhi said. It is a self-study, distance learning course aimed at equipping learners with both academic and applied knowledge pertaining to commodities training. The course material blends theoretical understanding of concepts and practical application of commodity trading strategies, it added. Students would be provided with two study manuals, access to online e-learning modules, an academic help-desk via phone or e-mail, as well as a testing facility across the country for an all-inclusive fee of Rs 2,750. It includes 30 hours of classroom training and 20 hours of simulated trading exposure using live commodity exchange data spread over four-weeks besides online e-learning and self-study required for the certification course. The fee for the programme is Rs 15,000, the release said. The programme is aimed at students as well as executives already working in the commodity sector, who wish to acquire a deeper understanding of the commodity markets in India and abroad.
— PTI
Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at
careers@tribunemail.com
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Preparing quality IT professionals
"... our engineering graduates, mostly churned out by private colleges, are often found to be unemployable primarily due to their weak appreciation of existing and upcoming IT and ITES tools & technologies," IIIT-A director M.D. Tiwari says. Also, India's leadership in the IT and IT-enabled services domain was being challenged by "...emerging powers like China and SAARC countries," he says. The government has sanctioned Rs 5-crore project for setting up the country's "First North Zone Resource Centre (NZRC) of generating Manpower Development for the Software Export Industry at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad," he adds. "The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has approved this three-year project...with the objective of generating contents, mentors, teachers, etc, by conducting specialised short term HRD courses for IT / ITeS sector," Tiwari, who has been appointed as chief investigator of the project, says. "Under the project, the IIIT-A has initiated integrated human resource development programmes, besides conducting specialised courses and organising training workshops in order to groom the faculty, knowledge workers, etc, covering all professional, engineering, MBA, science and art colleges in the entire north zone," adds Tiwari. The IIIT-A director says that training would be imparted in batches of 30 candidates per course. Universities and colleges recognised by the UGC would also be invited to send their teachers and mentors to benefit from this scheme. Besides, institutes of higher education abroad, with whom IIIT-A has signed Memoranda of Understanding like the EPLF Switzerland, would be invited for collaborations. Tiwari further states that the ongoing ITeS Computer Operator's Courses at eight Village Resources Centres (VRCs) under IIIT-As extension campus at Amethi, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Information Technology, will also be augmented through this project.
— PTI
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uphill task
IN an innovative way to beat attrition, which has hit 30 per cent across industry, LG Electronics India is taking up a five-year programme to nurture the career of its white-collared employees. The company, which, over the years has managed to keep its attrition rate at 6 per cent, kicked off the new programme for its executives this month. "Traditionally, we have had low attrition rates but we are also aware of how to make our employees grow along with the company. The career planning programme is aimed at achieving that objective," LG Electronics India HR director Yasho V. Verma said in New Delhi recently. The company has made the programme mandatory for its white-collared employees that number about 1,900. "In this initiative, all our employees will have to undergo an assessment by experts who would help them identify their weak points," Verma said, adding that during the course of the next five years they would be given thorough training in those areas. He said a batch of 12 persons will undergo a test for two days of the identification and training process, which would be based on hierarchy. "The senior employees will be assessed on the basis of their vision and leadership abilities. The young people will be assessed as per their functional capabilities," Verma added. Verma said the company has been able to grow its factory workers into sectional leaders. Spelling out another reason for LG keeping a low attrition rate, Verma said, "Empowerment is the key and we have been able to empower our employees even at the lowest levels." The potential of an employee is best explored when he is put on to a decision-making position. It also gives them job satisfaction, he added. On an average, the company makes about 300-400 new recruitments a year in various departments and would continue to do the same this year too, Verma said.
— PTI
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A. Sure, doctors can get well placed in a spa as masseurs / therapists / yoga trainers / spa aestheticians and trainers / consultants / supervisors / managers and other corporate positions. 
Q. Being an only child, I’m somewhat over-protected at home. Precisely for this reason, I have told my parents that I would like to go abroad for further study, preferably to the USA. However, they say that I will not be able to cope with the pressures and system of study there. They also fear that I will become undisciplined. What do you feel?
THE NCDEX Institute of Commodity Markets and Research, a unit of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), has launched a NCDEX Commodity Certification Course, the country's first and only e-learning programme in the commodity sector.
THE government has mandated the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad to prepare enough professionals to meet the industry's demand for quality workforce — an area where private institutions have been failing.