Asset College Diploma Tackling Frontline Violence Wins National Security Award, Heads Global

NORTH LAKES, QLD, 6 November 2026 – Asset College’s Diploma of Operational Safety (Critical Threat Management) has been named Outstanding Security Training Initiative at the 2026 Australian Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), earning the North Lakes-based college a place in the Global OSPAs. Managing Director Mark Costello accepted the award at the Park Hyatt Melbourne on 28 October.

An independent judging panel selected the Diploma ahead of strong competition from some of Australia’s leading organisations. The win comes just weeks after Asset College was named Queensland Large Training Provider of the Year.

The 11346NAT Diploma of Operational Safety responds to rising violence and aggression in places traditionally seen as safe, such as shopping centres, medical clinics, transport hubs and schools. It prepares professionals to work effectively in high-risk environments and equips them to train others, passing on the skills to manage complex safety challenges within their own teams and organisations.

“Police across the country are stretched, and security officers are often the first people on the scene. Too many of them haven’t had the training to manage what they’re facing,” said Mark Costello, Managing Director of Asset College. “The Diploma of Operational Safety bridges that gap. It gives security professionals the skills to respond safely, lawfully and confidently, and that makes our communities safer.”

Accredited nationally by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) in 2025, the Diploma was developed over several years in close consultation with industry. It offers two specialisations, Critical Threat Management and Use of Force Instructor, and teaches lawful, ethical and evidence-based ways to prevent, respond to and recover from high-risk situations.

Demand on Australia’s frontline continues to grow. Law enforcement agencies are under mounting pressure, and private security personnel are now routinely called on to handle aggression, crowd incidents and people in crisis well before police arrive. Yet capability across the industry has not kept pace with that responsibility. The Diploma was built for this reality, equipping security, corrections and emergency services personnel, alongside workers in healthcare, education, transport and retail, with the judgement and tactics their roles now demand.

“I believe that’s why the judges recognised this program. It was built with more than 100 industry stakeholders to meet a real need on the front line, and our graduates are already putting those skills to work,” Mark Costello said.

The college’s attention now turns to the Australian Training Awards at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on 20 November, where it will compete for Australia’s Large Training Provider of the Year. With both a national and a global stage ahead, Asset College is looking forward to finishing 2026 strong.