Blackbird Academy
We Invest In Your Success
We believe that everyone deserves a chance at a successful career. Therefore, we invest in the necessary training for new employees who show dedication and promise.
We have used our years of industry experience to pioneer Canada’s leading security training program, Blackbird Academy. Combining in-house and carefully vetted, industry leading experts, Blackbird Academy is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary training program designed to equip our guards to safely handle any scenario.
Each graduate receives the tools and skills needed for a long and fulfilling career in security. Each student security guard is paired with a mentor, training manager, or instructor, who provides regular feedback, check-ins, and advice during their training.
Modern Training for Modern Security Guards
The security industry is a fast-paced and rapidly growing world where knowledge, communication skills and training are key to success. At Blackbird Security, we understand security guards can face an almost limitless number of scenarios in their day-to-day roles.
By empowering our team to face these challenges head-on with confidence and expertise, we enable them to perform at an exceptional level. Through this, we provide our clients with the level of service they expect from Canada’s best security company.
Trained to Excel
Our Training Modules
While some security companies simply require a security guard license to start work, we view this qualification as the starting point for admittance to Blackbird Academy. From there, our guards receive the well-rounded training they need to face the modern challenges of the security world.
Our dedicated training modules include:
In-House Courses
Use Of Force
While we believe that the hands-off model and verbal de-escalation are the ideal approaches to preventing incidents for most businesses, there are some occasions where it's important for our security team to be able to safely make hands-on arrests to keep staff and customers safe. This program equips our security professionals with advanced skills and the tactical know-how needed to handle challenging situations with confidence and precision.
Blackbird Security has a direct collaboration with GCT Tactical, incorporating certified instructors from this organization. This close partnership enables Blackbird to host in-house Use of Force (UOF) training and tailor the training to the specific needs of our clients.
Traditional use-of-force training typically covers defensive and takedown techniques. However, Blackbird utilizes GCT's curriculum, enhancing our 8-hour training program to include proper Take-Down Techniques, Subject Control Tactics, Federal and Provincial Legislations, as well as Ground Defense Techniques. Successful completion of the program results in a Use of Force Competency Certification Card, encompassing both handcuffing and the expandable baton component.
Our members from various sectors, including retail, undergo training with real-case scenarios, allowing our team to evaluate participants' responses carefully before their deployment to any client site. Therefore, this course not only certifies members in the use of force, handcuffing, and baton, but also provides the operations team with a clear understanding of the settings in which a member can be deployed.
Customer Service Excellence
The vast majority of a security guard’s interactions will be with law abiding members of the general public. Therefore, it’s crucial that guards are trained to effectively listen, communicate and problem solve. When a member of the public approaches a security guard, they may be upset, talking quickly and in need of urgent assistance. Our customer service training module equips our guards to excel in these scenarios, providing frontline assistance in a calm and reassuring manner.
Peaceful De-escalation Training
Blackbird Security trainers have worked with the Justice Institute of British Columbia to create our own internal Peaceful De-escalation Training program. Our program is designed to train our staff on how to both manage one’s own emotional feelings during conflicts and how to respond to feelings of anger and conflict in others. It is based on the development of respectful, thoughtful and measured interactions between individuals and groups. Our Peaceful De-escalation training is provided in collaboration with the Crisis Prevention Institute.
Report Writing
We strongly believe that accurate report writing is a pillar of what makes a good security guard. In this module, we train our guards in the basics of accurate written reports, use of non-biased or judgemental language, and how to write reports in a clear and concise manner. We also equip our guards with the expertise needed to utilize our powerful TrackTik app for incident reporting.
Introduction to Canadian Criminal Law
Knowledge of legal frameworks is essential in providing security services successfully. Through this course, our guards gain a basic understanding of Canadian Criminal Law, learn the differences between between Federal and Provincial Acts, understand key provisions of the Trespass to Property Act, identify offences in the Canadian Criminal Code with a focus on the retail industry, understand the legal perspective on Use of Force, and learn basic security terminology.
Standard First Aid
Blackbird Security has active members certified as First Aid instructors by the Lifeguarding
Academy who passed the course provided directly from the Lifesaving Society. The Lifesaving Society's First Aid Instructor (FAI) certification is recognized by WSIB, empowering candidates to instruct all levels of First Aid and CPR courses offered by the Lifesaving Society. This collaboration allows Blackbird Security to conduct in-house First Aid training, utilizing up-to-date materials from a reputable organization.
Partnered Training Institutions
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
Crisis Intervention Training
The Crisis Prevention Institute training programs are meticulously crafted to assist organizations in recognizing, preventing, and de-escalating crises. CPI stands out as one of the most reputable organizations in Crisis Intervention Training, boasting over 42,000 Certified Instructors and having trained 17 million professionals globally, creating safer workplaces. Blackbird Security proudly contributes to this impressive number of instructors, actively accessing a range of conferences and materials to stay updated in all relevant areas.
GCT Tactical
Use of Force (UOF) Training
Blackbird Security collaborates closely with GCT Tactical to deliver our in-house Use of Force (UOF) training course with the guidance of certified instructors from CGT. The close partnership allows Blackbird to host in-house Use of Force training, with training tailored to the unique needs of our clients.
Lifeguarding Academy
First Aid Training
Blackbird Security has active members certified as First Aid instructors by the Lifeguarding Academy who passed the course provided directly from the Lifesaving Society.
The Lifesaving Society's "First Aid Instructor" (FAI) certification is recognized by WSIB, empowering candidates to instruct all levels of First Aid and CPR courses offered by the Lifesaving Society.
This collaboration allows Blackbird Security to conduct in-house First Aid training, utilizing up-to-date materials from a reputable organization.
St. John's Ambulance
Occupational First Aid Training
Delivered through St. John’s Ambulance, OFA training equips our guards with the knowledge needed to act as first responders in the event of a crisis. Over the course of 16 hours of training, our team members learn how to assist with:
• One person CPR and defibrillator training
• Principals of emergency care and safety
• Shock, unconsciousness and fainting
• Emergency Scene Management
• Fractures and burns
• Cervical Spine control
• Artificial respiration
• Head and spinal injuries
• Choking
• Emergency care equipment
• Wounds and bleeding
• Legal implications and ethics related to emergency care (records and reports)
St. John's Ambulance
St. John’s Mental Health First Aid Training
In this course, which was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, participants will learn how to assist people who are showing signs of mental health problems or who are experiencing a mental health crisis. It also teaches knowledge on the most common mental health conditions and how one can best interact with these individuals, without exacerbating their current state.
The Justice Institute of BC
Trauma Informed Practice Training
Delivered by the Justice Institute of BC, Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) educates our security guards on how trauma can affect individuals and their behaviours. It is provided to help our guards empathize with members of the public who may have experienced trauma and to help foster relationships of understanding, connection, trustworthiness and collaboration. Building upon the experiences Blackbird Security has learned working in areas with a wide array of customer and members of the public especially those with mental health issues, we feel this course provides our staff with the ability to view certain situation with a “trauma-informed lens.”
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health
WHMIS 2015 Training
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s national hazard communication standard. This course, delivered by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health, teaches our team members their roles and responsibilities regarding WHMIS in their daily roles. Topics that are covered include overview of WHMIS, overview of hazard groups and classes, physical hazards, labels including required label elements and safety data sheets.
Indigenous Awareness Canada
Indigenous Awareness 201
Created, recognized and recommended by Indigenous Awareness Canada, this module covers the basis of Indigenous history pre- and post-colonization, misconceptions and current realities. Staff must successfully pass the final exam, demonstrate cultural competency, and be re-tested yearly on the course objectives. This training meets all recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on skills-based learning in intercultural competency, as per Government of Canada directives.
Further Career Development
For team members looking to take the next step and upskill, we will discuss their options for continuing education and provide any help we can along this path. We work with our staff to identify relevant training courses that achieve this goal, providing the funding they need for the courses. In future, we plan to incorporate these programs into Blackbird Academy.
We also have a growing administrative, management and head office team! Check out our Job Board to see current openings.
Scholarships & Bursaries
Justice Institute of BC
Blackbird Security Indigenous Bursary
At Blackbird Security, we believe companies like ours have a crucial role to play in improving the communities they protect. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Justice Institute of British Columbia in creating the Blackbird Security Indigenous Bursary. Each year, up to 12 bursaries will be available to cover the cost of Basic Security Training (BST) for Indigenous students at JIBC. It is our hope this bursary will increase participation for under-represented Indigenous peoples in security, while creating a pathway for long-term and meaningful careers in our fast-growing industry.
Find Available Security Guard Jobs at Blackbird Security
Ready to build your career with Canada’s fastest growing security company? Visit our Job Board and discover the available opportunities in your community.