The Competent Person qualification arrives next month. The sector should be paying attention.
From March 2026, the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness qualification – formally known as Competent Person in the Workplace – becomes live.
Developed by SFJ Awards with Counter-Terrorism Policing and the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), this isn’t just another certificate to hang on the wall. It’s the first qualification designed specifically to develop individuals who can assess counter-terrorism risks and contribute to protective security planning within their own organisation.
And the timing is no coincidence. The expectations on venues, events, and public-facing organisations are changing. Quietly, but fundamentally.
The question is no longer should organisations think about protective security.
It’s who, internally, is actually responsible for it?
Awareness was the starting point. This is the next step.
For years, the sector has done the right things. ACT Awareness. ProtectUK guidance. Tabletop exercises. Strong relationships with local police.
All important. All necessary. But let’s be honest — in many organisations, protective security still sits slightly to the side of day-to-day operations. Something that’s acknowledged. Discussed. Reviewed periodically. Not always owned.
Martyn’s Law begins to change that. It introduces clear expectations around risk assessment and preparedness, particularly for premises operating within the Standard and Enhanced tiers.
That doesn’t mean panic. It means preparation. And preparation requires competence. That’s where this qualification comes in.
So what actually is the “Competent Person”?
It sounds official, because it is.
The Competent Person qualification has been introduced to develop individuals who can assess vulnerabilities, understand threats, and contribute to protective security and preparedness planning in a structured, informed way.
Not counter-terrorism specialists. Not intelligence officers. But professionals who understand their own venue, their own operation, and how protective security fits within it. For stadiums. Arenas. Event venues. Shopping centres. Public spaces. Places of worship. Universities. Anywhere people gather, and safety planning already exists.
In reality, many organisations already have individuals performing parts of this role. Safety officers. Security managers. Operations leads. This qualification formalises that competence. It gives structure to what has often been learned through experience.
Why this matters now
March isn’t some distant milestone. It’s next month. This qualification will be live. Training providers will begin delivery. Organisations will begin enrolling staff.
Some will move early. Others will wait.
Both approaches are understandable. But the direction of travel is clear – Protective security is becoming part of core operational responsibility. Not an add-on. Not a specialist niche. Part of how venues and organisations operate safely and responsibly. As with most things in safety and security, it’s better to be slightly ahead of the curve than scrambling to catch up later.
What happens next
NGTC is ready to deliver the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness qualification.
We’re now inviting organisations and professionals to register their interest ahead of delivery beginning.
Whilst you find out more about the course particulars by clicking this link – https://www.ngtc.co.uk/ngtc-course/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness-competent-person-in-the-workplace/ – register your interest by clicking the enquire now button.
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