'Cheating' firm has DHB work

Waikato District Health Board has acknowledged its newly appointed security firm is under investigation over allegations of cheating.

Unite Union claims that Allied Security, the country's third largest security provider with 500 staff nationwide, supplied security guards with answers to tests so that they could be pushed through approved security qualifications.

Waikato District Health Board security manager Dean Ria said he was aware of the allegation surrounding Allied Security, which took up the $1 million hospital security contract on May 1.

"Allied briefed us last month about this issue and continue to keep us informed," Mr Ria said.

The cheating claims are now being investigated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and another industry training organisation following allegations by an Allied staff member who took concerns to Unite Union national director Mike Treen.

"Allied Security's operations manager sent an email to its site managers which contained Assessor Guides with answers that staff were to rewrite in their own words. The email was also copied to the company's general manager," Mr Treen said.

Auckland security guard Lydia Maoate told The Dominion Post this week she was told that if she did not complete the NZQA training she could lose her job – though her pay rate would not go up – and was then given answer booklets.

Allied had signed a new contract with a client which stated all guards had level two training, she said.

"What I don't agree with is sitting a course knowing that I have cheated, knowing that I'm not credited or qualified."

Security firms receive subsidies from the government-funded electrotechnology industry training organisation for undertaking in-house training, which amounts to about $10 for each credit passed.

There are 51 credits in a Level 2 National Certificate in Security qualification. The training covers aspects of the job such as industry knowledge, relevant law, communication skills, security threats and safety.

The union had asked NZQA to conduct an industry-wide audit and remove incentives to cheat the system. The union claimed some security companies were giving trainers a $4 bonus for each credit they put through.

Mr Ria said the hospital's security recruitment process was a rigorous one with checks and measures in place.

But Mr Treen said the DHB had "openly admitted" that Allied Security's price contributed to it being awarded the contract.

"Waikato DHB should not be using a cheaper security bidder that is operating well below expected standards of training and professionalism on a national level," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News