TRAINING
The perfect match
Orangebox Training Solutions ’ head of contracts Mark Beard and CEO Simon Corbett ( left ) with Middlesbrough FC ’ s deputy safety officer Shane Sellers ( centre ) at the Riverside Stadium .
WORDS : PAUL FRASER PICTURES : TOM BANKS
Orangebox Training Solutions help MFC to upskill stewards
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Tees training provider and Middlesbrough Football Club have teamed up to provide greater opportunities for matchday stewards .
Orangebox Training Solutions , which has recently opened a new office in Middlesbrough ’ s Boho Zone , is helping the club to improve spectator safety at the Riverside Stadium .
Through funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority , Orangebox has already put the first 22-strong cohort through the course delivered over a sixweek period .
Twenty of those have gained a Level 2 Spectator Safety certificate , meaning they now qualify to operate at other events at the Riverside or anywhere else .
Orangebox ’ s chief executive officer Simon Corbett , a former non-league football player and manager himself , said : “ I attend matches regularly at different stadiums and you can see stewards need educating to give them the confidence to be able to do their job properly .
“ We have developed a relationship with MFC for a number of months and it is great we can create and develop a partnership that will not only improve the reputation of football but also support another Tees Valley organisation .
“ What we are doing with Middlesbrough highlights what opportunities are out there for other professional clubs , sports club or any organisations that require security or stewarding . We can help .”
Stronger legislation was introduced following an inquest into the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017 .
There is a tiered model linked to activity that takes place at a location and its capacity , which aims to prevent undue burden on businesses . However , all venues are encouraged to include training for their stewards , based on information sharing and preparedness , such as locking doors or knowledge of lifesaving treatments . Mark Beard , head of contracts at Orangebox , said : “ Sports Ground Safety legislation means new stewards have to be upskilled towards spectator safety Level 2 depending on the size of the venue .
“ We met with Middlesbrough ’ s deputy safety officer Shane Sellers who was looking to get his stewards qualified . There would have been a cost for Middlesbrough to do this and we have delivered fullyfunded courses for them .
“ Our tutor , Matt Barker , went on a factfinding mission to see what they needed . He went down to a match to observe as part of the course and his findings have formed part of the qualification .
“ Middlesbrough ’ s stewards have embarked on a course over six weeks because many tend to have other jobs . “ When Boro have played away , the stewards have been trained on Saturdays instead of working at a game at the Riverside .”
Orangebox , which is based at Hartlepool Marina ’ s Tranquility House , is now looking at working with the next cohort of stewards at the club .
Once the courses have been completed , learners can work at other events such as Arctic Monkeys ’ visit to the Riverside this summer or at other venues and festivals requiring a Level 2 qualification .
They could also embark on the next step and acquire a Security Industry Authority licence that could secure a private security role .
Middlesbrough are now exploring other possibilities working with Orangebox . There are another 30 qualifications Orangebox can offer to upskill the football club ’ s workforce up to Level 3 in other areas .
Shane Sellers , Middlesbrough ’ s deputy safety officer , said : “ Middlesbrough Football Club has worked in partnership with the Orangebox Training Solutions to deliver quality accredited training in Level 2 in Spectator Safety to our stewards . “ This training has developed the knowledge and skills of our stewarding team and will assist them in their progression with the club , as senior stewards and beyond .
“ The interactive training has been well received by those on the course , and we seek to work further with Orangebox moving forward .”
For further information on how Orangebox can help your organisation , visit orangeboxtraining . com .
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