2.2.15 Certified Event Safety Professional
Description
The “Certified Event Safety Professional” designation signifies an individual’s deep knowledge and commitment to safe working practices in the events industry and asserts their commitment to continuing professional development in this field. A Certified Event Safety Professional has demonstrated their comprehensive understanding of standards, regulations and laws relating to event safety, as well as a deep understanding of the role and responsibility of agencies involved in the inspection and approval of event power and temporary demountable structures.
Benefits
- Become a member of SACIA and use the designatory letters CESP behind their name
- Offer employers and colleagues assurance of commitment to the events industry
- Be listed on the National Learners’ Record Database
Qualifying criteria
The candidate should hold a relevant NQF-level 5 qualification in event management or similar. Examples of a relevant qualification might include a Higher Certificate in Event Management (qualification 84686 or 115970) or a National Certificate in Sport Event Management (qualification 60276)
Individuals in full-time employment need to demonstrate at least five year’s relevant work experience in the events industry. Individuals working on a freelance basis should demonstrate that they have worked a minimum 105 days in each year.
Assessment
Applicants will write an examination that tests both the breadth and depth of their knowledge in event safety, and provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence. The Portfolio of Evidence is independently assessed by the SACIA certification council
Preparing a portfolio of evidence
There is no definitive list of documents that should appear within the portfolio but generally it would include:
- A Risk Assessment and an Event Safety Plan for a medium-risk event as described in chapter 2 of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (SASREA)
- A detailed CV including a list of events you have worked on.
- Testimonials and letters of recommendation supporting your claim of knowledge, experience and competence.
- A list of any awards or commendations received.
- Course certificates from training attended.
We do NOT provide a template for the reference letters because we are looking for an authentic endorsement of your skills and attributes, written by someone familiar with your work, character and accomplishments. We'd suggest their letter cover the values and principles associated with SACIA membership described in the SACIA Code of Professional Conduct, but even this suggestion is tempered by a greater need for the testimonial to be an authentic endorsement of your skills and attributes. What we don’t want, is two identical letters signed by different signatories. We’re looking for authentic inputs – and that’s an inherently personal input from people familiar with your work.
Recognition of Prior Learning
SACIA’s certification council recognise that many of the applicants for this designation will not hold an underlying NQF-level 5 qualification. The Council will encourage individual’s lacking such a qualification to apply for a professional designation if they can demonstrate additional work experience as an event safety officer. For more information please visit the RPL page
Designation competencies
An individual applying for recognition as a Certified Event Safety Professional should be able to demonstrate the following:
- An informed understanding of event safety practices across multiple event formats, and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories that apply to event safety.
- An informed understanding of standards, regulations and laws relating to event safety (including but not limited to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, SANS10366, Safety at Sports & Recreational Events Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act (Section 6), Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, and the Disaster Management Act), and should understand how these are applied over multiple event formats.
- The ability to plan and manage an implementation of a safety plan within a well-defined, familiar and supported environment.
- The ability to identify, evaluate and solve both routine and new problems within an event context, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures appropriate to event safety. The candidate should also demonstrate an understanding of the consequences that accrue when an event safety plan is not correctly implemented. The candidate should also have an informed understanding of dispute resolution techniques applicable to both public and private spaces, as well as a proven ability to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis on events across multiple formats
- The ability to take account of, and act in accordance with the SACIA code of professional conduct, as well as the values and practices applicable to the events industry. The candidate should also have an informed understanding of gender-based violence, discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation in the workplace
- The ability to communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the events industry, including an understanding of event safety documentation required by national government, provincial government, municipalities, councils and other regulatory bodies.
- The ability to operate in a range of familiar and new venues and environments, demonstrating an understanding of different event genres, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how event safety infractions in one area impact on other areas within the same system. The candidate should also demonstrate an informed understanding of the role and responsibility of agencies involved in the inspection and approval of event power and temporary demountable structures.
- The ability to evaluate his or her performance as well as the performance of others, and to take appropriate action where necessary; to take responsibility for his or her learning within a framework of continuing professional development; and to promote the learning of others.
- The ability to account for his or her actions, to work effectively with and respect others, and, within an events environment, to take supervisory responsibility for the application of safety protocols where appropriate. The candidate should also demonstrate proven ability to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis on events across multiple formats
Application Process
The Application Form is completed and submitted to SACIA for processing, together with the required supporting documentation. This includes the registration fee.
Candidates are notified of outcome of evaluation
Successful candidates are Certified, and their name is added to the National Learners Records Database
Continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
Designated members are required to:
It is important to note that:
- Professional designations are awarded at the discretion of the SACIA board;
- SACIA reserves the right to check the records of applicants as part of the application process;
- Certificates issued by SACIA remain the property of SACIA and must be returned should the individual for any reason lose their status as designee.
- In instances where a candidate does not hold an appropriate qualification, recognition of workplace learning, and extended work experience will be considered in an evaluation.
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