In an effort to broaden its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and workforce development efforts, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced its commitment to expand its outreach to Native American and indigenous communities. The effort will include expanding access to SIA services and programs such as its training, scholarship, and mentorship offerings.

Native American communities have historically faced isolation, higher unemployment and poverty rates than the general population, challenges accessing quality education and jobs, and other barriers to economic opportunity, SIA notes. In collaboration with SIA members, including Clear Cloud Solutions and i-PRO, and industry stakeholders, the association plans to offer its Security Project Management training to Native American communities in 2024, as well as conduct a listening session to better understand community needs and interests and potential industry involvement.

SIA will also expand eligibility for and access to other programs, including SIA RISE community for emerging leaders, SIA Women in Security Forum community, scholarship programs through RISE and WISF, the Security Systems Technician Apprenticeship Program, the Talent Inclusion Mentorship Education (TIME) program, and SIA’s Security Cornerstones Learning Series.

“SIA is proud to be a leader in workforce development and DE&I in the security industry, and we are excited to build on these efforts with a commitment to conducting strong outreach to Native American communities and fostering collaboration between our industry and indigenous populations,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “By expanding access and eligibility for key training, mentorship, scholarship, and learning offerings, as well as through demonstrating career pathways in security, we hope to help individuals in these communities better prepare to venture into the workforce and find valuable opportunities in a thriving and growing industry while cultivating the next-generation security workforce.”

Read more about SIA’s outreach and commitment to DE&I in its news article.