Meet Rosa Osman, SSB member and People Development Director at Wilson James.
Rosa is an EMCC Accredited Coach, certified in SHL Psychometric Testing, and a Certified DiSC Practitioner. She holds a master’s degree in human resource management and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Her leadership and expertise have made her a respected figure in our industry. And these are just some of the reasons why we were delighted to welcome her to the Security Skills Board in July 2024.
Rosa is a passionate advocate of training and development, and she is deeply committed to our unified goal to create more opportunities for more people within security.
As we welcome our first cohort to the Momentum programme, our game changing new coaching and mentorship programme, we caught up with Rosa to talk to her about its impact on the sector and why role modelling great behaviours now is essential to the success of future workplaces.
Q: Hi Rosa, thanks for joining us today, as an HR Professional and a coach, why do you think mentorship is such an important investment for any security business?
Rosa: Hi SSB News and thanks for having me!
First off, mentorship offers invaluable guidance and support to individuals at all stages of their careers. In the security sector, where hands-on experience is just as crucial as formal training, having a mentor can make a world of difference. Mentors provide personalised advice, share their knowledge, and offer encouragement, helping mentees navigate the complexities of their roles with confidence and competence.
Secondly, mentorship enhances skills by providing practical tips and feedback on performance, which are essential in a field that constantly evolves to meet new challenges. Mentors can also offer career guidance, helping mentees understand the various paths available within the security sector and how to achieve their professional goals.
Mentorship promotes a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. It creates a sense of belonging within the professional community, which is vital for nurturing future leaders in security. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, mentorship ensures that security professionals are not only prepared but also adaptable and ready to face the complexities of their roles.
Programmes like Momentum are essential for talent retention and development in the private security industry. By investing in the next generation of security professionals, we ensure that our sector remains robust and adaptive, capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern security operations.
Q: That’s brilliant Rosa, and we’ve invested heavily in Momentum, our Level 3 CMI programme in Coaching and Mentoring for security professionals. Can you tell us why business’s need to invest in training mentors and coaches if they already have experienced leaders on board?
Rosa: I say this with respect, but just because you’re an experienced leader doesn’t mean you’re a natural mentor. There are specific skills and techniques you need to learn to ensure success for both you and your mentees. Personally, investing in my own coaching and mentoring skills has been a game-changer in my career, and I’m committed to continuously learning as new challenges and solutions emerge.
In the fast-paced environments we operate in, continuous learning and development isn’t optional – it’s what keeps us competitive. If you’re not actively growing your skills, you risk falling behind. Good coaches and mentors aren’t just ‘a nice to have’ they’re critical to running a successful business, but especially businesses in security. Talent succession is the backbone to any operation, and learning how to effectively mentor and develop others is a key part of building a strong leadership pipeline that will help to ensure our industry remains dynamic and forward-thinking.
It’s definitely an investment you won’t regret making.
Q: Thanks Rosa. Why Momentum, how is it different to other training programmes?
Rosa: Momentum offers an amazing opportunity to learn fantastic skills in mentorship and coaching and it’s tailored to the unique challenges we face within the security sector. But beyond that, our mentors will also become advocates for our industry, helping us attract the best talent. They’ll gain the skills and confidence to promote the benefits of working in security to local schools, colleges, and at career fairs. Which will be fantastic for the sector. Early engagement is so critical for us as an industry to dispel myths and showcase the hidden opportunities we can offer those seeking an interesting and exciting career.
The programme will teach our cohorts how to host and develop skills workshops and master classes and build and tailor inclusive practices to help mentees at all levels to reach their goals. They’ll earn a recognised Level 3 CMI in Coaching and Mentoring qualification which is a great way to open doors to new opportunities and enhance their leadership profile.
This is a fantastic opportunity for security professionals to enhance their knowledge, practical skills, and capabilities whilst also giving back to their employer, colleagues, and local community.
It’s a no brainer and three Wilson James colleagues have joined the first cohort. We’re really excited to see the impact their skill development has on our business.
Q: That sounds fantastic, if we can increase awareness and encourage more of our industry colleagues to get involved, how will this impact the security sector?
Rosa: Well, I think the data speaks for itself. Mentorship has a profound impact on both individuals and organisations. For instance, retention rates are significantly higher for mentees (22% more) and mentors (20% more) compared to those not participating in a mentoring programme (Gartner). Additionally, 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if they were offered opportunities to develop and grow within the company and their careers (Forbes).
High retention rates lead to a more experienced and knowledgeable workforce, which in turn drives productivity and innovation.
Retention is especially critical in the security sector due to the specialised skills and knowledge required to effectively manage and mitigate risks. We need experienced, committed colleagues in post, driving our security initiatives forward and ensuring that we’re always prepared to face new challenges with confidence and competence.
I’m excited about what lies ahead for our industry and I would encourage everyone to get involved. The more of us who commit to this today, the better the future of security looks for all of us tomorrow.
We couldn’t agree more Rosa and thank you for joining us today.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Momentum Programme click here.