The Private Investigations industry is playing a waiting game with regards to ongoing professional development. On the one hand, we all like to have qualifications but on the other, we are in limbo waiting for the SIA to tell us what the licensing requirements are going to be.

I have decided not to wait. I am going to convert my Advanced Investigations Diploma into a Edexcel BTEC Advanced Private Investigation Level 3 and then push on to the National Vocational Qualification in Investigation – NVQ Level 4 given by the best detective training school in the UK and arguably the world -The PI Academy. The thing is if I wait around for the SIA to get their finger out, I will be doing what every other Private Investigator is doing and I don’t generally follow the crowd, I lead.

Hopefully by the time, Licensing comes in, I will have the NVQ 4 and will be studying for a degree in Security Management or Investigations. It’s all part of the master plan.

You might be wondering what the difference is between the BTEC, NVQ Level 3 and NVQ Level 4 is?

The BTEC in Advanced Private Investigations is an excellent opportunity for either new investigators or the more experienced investigator to achieve an approved qualification

The NVQ 3 in Investigation is a vocational qualification with the requirement for the candidate to be assessed within the work place. It is aimed at Investigators on the front line while the NVQ 4 is aimed at Managers or Agency owners.

Full details of the courses can be obtained from the PI Academy website