Definitely. In fact, one of my greatest joys as a security facilitator is watching the connections students make during their training continue long after the course has finished. Security brings together an incredibly diverse group of people. I remember teaching a course in Cairns with students from nine different countries. On day one, hardly anyone spoke to each other. By the end of the course they were exchanging contact details, helping each other and becoming Facebook friends.

That is what good face-to-face training can create. BARS Training Australia has been delivering security training throughout Queensland for more than 20 years, and we still have students coming back to us who trained with BARS two decades ago. Those are some of the best reunions we have.

Graduates can also stay connected through BASE Camp, our Employment Portal once appropriately licensed, our industry networks and, quite simply, by keeping in touch with us. Some classes have even created their own social media groups so they can stay connected, share what is happening in their lives and occasionally come back to me for some industry advice. One group even called themselves “Garry's Angels” – which still makes me laugh. Security is a surprisingly close industry.

The people sitting beside you during your BARS course may eventually become your workmates, supervisors, employers or lifelong friends. So yes, when your course finishes you can absolutely stay connected. Becoming part of the security industry is about much more than receiving a qualification.