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Although counter-terrorism is a hugely important issue, it remains the case that far too many public sector organisations are simply failing to recognise the risks or take the necessary action to protect their employees, contractors and members of the public.

Senate has been commissioned to deliver security training for operatives at Her Majesty's Cabinet Office and the Home Office for the past three years. We have come to recognise that the generic security qualifications currently available do not meet the stringent security requirements demanded at such high profile locations because they only offer a basic overview of the skills needed.

As a direct result, hostile reconnaissance is not covered in any real depth, while students are not taught the skills required to improve their basic competencies in this and other relevant areas. In other words, generic training courses are at best ineffective. A parlous situation, given that the threat to the British Government and numerous corporations remains high in a post-7/7 environment.

Written specifically with public sector security professionals in mind, the Edexcel BTEC Award ‘Understanding Counter-Terrorism' has been developed to encapsulate the security issues surrounding the continual terrorist threat. It is the only nationally-accredited security qualification to cover the full extent of counter-terrorism and, thanks to a strategic partnership with a team of Israeli security specialists, this BTEC Award is also the only training programme available in the UK to fully-address specific threats posed by fundamentalist organisations.

Necessarily, the course focuses on training for hostile reconnaissance and the core techniques involved. Security professionals must be educated about the mindset of the ‘new breed' of terrorist. What motivates the suicide bomber, and how do they operate?

Unit 1: Understanding terrorism

Initially, learners are provided with the background information to identify and understand the definition of terrorism. Operatives will then have a far better comprehension of terrorist methods of operation and the means to identify potential target areas. The unit also offers basic information on the structure of terrorist cells, and the various methods of training and operational needs for it to be successful.

Exploring terrorist methodology is another important strand here, including the ways in which cells use the media to promote their cause. Candidates will be required to explain in detail the different measures put into place by terrorist groups to ensure confidentiality and total anonymity.

This section of the training programme consists of three eight-hour education sessions. Candidate assessment is by way of written exercises that must be completed within four weeks of each session.

Unit 2: Methods of operation

Unit 2 offers learners the basic background information needed to identify the various weapons and explosive devices used by terrorist groups and the delivery methods (including car bombs, suicide bombing, assassinations, hijackings, hostage taking, proxy bombs and bio-terrorism).

To pass this Unit, learners must examine the types of weaponry and explosive devices used by terrorists (including types of pistols, rifles, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, small missiles, improvised explosive and incendiary devices and detonation methods), investigate the characteristics common to terrorist attack (ie such attacks might be dynamic, simple, of the ‘hit and run' variety or designed for impact) and explore what precautionary measures could be adopted to prevent attacks from occurring (concentrating on risk assessments, planning security measures, physical security, the protection of information and the general raising of security awareness).

During assessment, candidates will be expected to describe how explosives are obtained for use in acts of terrorism, list the basic components of an improvised explosive device and outline the distinguishing features that may be found in letter bombs.

Again, the Unit will be assessed by means of written exercises to be completed within four weeks of each of the eight-hour training sessions. All candidates will have access to guided learning sessions and course notes.

Unit 3: Response to terrorism

The final Unit 3 is designed to examine both the measures and procedures that can be adopted to negate the risks posed by terrorists, also affording participants the skills and knowledge required to respond to security incidents.

In addition, learners will examine incident management procedures when dealing with terrorist attacks, and look into contingency planning based on operational conditions.

The Unit looks at the counter-terrorism strategy used in the UK, as well as current legislation relating to terrorism (including the Terrorism Act 2000, the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2001) and the counter-terrorist agencies presently deployed.

Plans and procedures for responding to incidents are highlighted, so too the operational management of incidents and evacuation procedures, etc.

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to explain the precautionary measures that may be implemented to protect a given building against an improvised explosive device. They'll also be expected to explore the four stages of the risk management cycle, the options available when making a decision on evacuation and the different methods of access control that may be deployed.