Black Onyx Academy (BOA), in collaboration with RAY Training and Consultancy has announced that it has delivered a Highfield Accredited Training Pilot Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to the Academy, the initiative marked a significant milestone in advancing professional security training across the region.
The pilot project was delivered at the Golden Ship Hotel, Riyadh by Ben Wilmot and Dennis Grant who travelled to Saudi Arabia to deliver the programme on behalf of the Black Onyx Academy.
RAY Training & Consultancy provided critical in country-legal compliance, regulatory, infrastructure and operational support, ensuring a seamless project execution.
The pilot project generated significant interest throughout Saudi Arabia’s security industry with noticeable participation from C-suite executives and senior management professionals.
Black Onyx says that delegates expressed keen interest in enrolling in cohort NO:01 of the Highfield Level 2 Award in Security Guarding, underscoring the growing demand for for internationally accredited training solutions to elevate security training standards within Saudi Arabia.
Organisations such as Golf Falcon for Security & Protection and Saad Al Jazeera Security Services were among the first to participate in Cohort NO:01, cementing the partnership’s credibility and relevance within the regions evolving security landscape, BOA adds.
Upon the completion of Cohort NO:01, BOA and RAY Training & Consultancy hosted a formal Award Ceremony, certifying 11 students with the Highfield Level Two Award in Security Guarding.
Alongside this, BOA says that a Top Student Award was also presented to the highest performing participant in recognition of exceptional achievement and dedication.
The Academy also received student feedback from the course was positive and also highlighted the professionalism and quality of the training.
After the delivery of the pilot project, both BOA and RAY Training & Consultancy engaged in a business development week, meeting with numerous security organisations across the Kingdom.
The Academy says that these discussions centred around expanding access to accredited security and vocational training through the BOA and Ray Training & Consultancy partnership.
The business development week was attended by Steve Matthews the Associate Director of International Contracts, Sukh Gill, RAY T&C/SSTA and Nawaf Y Alqahtani, RAY T&C /SSTA.
BOA highlights that Saudi Arabia’s business environment continues to evolve rapidly under the Saudi Vision 2030, creating substantial opportunities for international standard security training.
The Academy found that there is over 200,000 security professionals currently active in the Kingdom with only 20% holding internationally recognised qualifications, the market presents a clear and compelling need for accredited, scalable training programmes.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host several major global events, including the Asian Winter Games 2029, Saudi Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 which require intense safety and security.
BOA notes that the Supreme Authority for Industrial Security (SAIS) also supports the elevation of security standards throughout Saudi Arabia.