Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Search
Menu
Webcasts
Microphone Icon
Events
Events
Videos
Video Icon
Podcasts
Podcast Icon
New scholarship aims to build next generation of security consultants
Commercial
By Cory Harris, Editor
Updated 12:10 PM CDT, Wed July 9, 2025
CHESHIRE, Conn.—Ray Coulombe sees the new CONSULT Scholarship program as an opportunity to further develop and retain a younger group of security consultants, designers and specifiers.
The scholarship program, in partnership with the Security Industry Association (SIA), will offer three rising professionals the opportunity to attend CONSULT, an event that attracts a couple hundred attendees each year, for free. .jpg)
“We haven't had that many younger consultants because they're not the senior people; they're just coming up to the ranks,” said Coulombe, founder and managing director of SecuritySpecifiers. “We wanted to add a younger component.”
This year’s CONSULT takes place Oct. 3-6 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Downtown.
Geoff Kohl, senior director of marketing at SIA and a member of the CONSULT Advisory Board, proposed the scholarship at last year’s CONSULT board meeting. He pointed to SIA’s broader efforts to attract and retain security talent through initiatives like the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST), National Security Technician Day, and the RISE community.
“We recognize that there are a lot of other industries that they get attracted to and that they're aware of, and this is one other area where we saw that we need to not only attract young talent but also retain them,” he explained. 
Kohl noted that SIA includes several consulting, engineering, and architectural firms among its members. Attending CONSULT and similar events, he said, helps young professionals gain the security-specific knowledge needed to pursue careers in these firms.
“A lot of young folks come out of a more traditional architectural or engineering background and don't yet fully know the world of security,” he said. “We believe that if they get that security knowledge and understand what a cool industry it is, they may specialize and focus on it and be more likely to contribute to the industry's future. It aligns well with all of SIA’s initiatives to grow and retain a healthy future workforce.”
Coulombe pointed out sessions that the younger CONSULT attendees are encouraged to attend, including those dedicated to door hardware.
“Door hardware is just a microcosm of security itself, deceptively simple from the outside and very complex when you get into it, so we've got a whole track devoted to that,” he explained. “It might seem mundane, but there's such a steep learning curve.”
Security consulting is “not a well understood career path,” according to Coulombe, with younger talent tending to work for manufacturers and integrators.
“The interaction with other consultants, other companies and getting a better sense of the industry in general and the opportunities that await them at CONSULT will, I think, be good,” he said.
Applications for the 2025 CONSULT Scholarship must be submitted by Tuesday, July 15. Learn more and apply here.
Consult Scholarship, CONSULT Technical Security Symposium, Geoff Kohl, Hyatt Regency Denver Downtown, Ray Coulombe, Security Industry Association (SIA), SecuritySpecifiers
Comments
To comment on this post, please log in to your account or set up an account now.
Need the Latest Security News in the Industry?
Want to always have the latest security news in the industry right in your inbox? Click the button below to subscribe.
Subscribe Now
Ending the Era of False Alarms
Dominate the Market—Take Over Legacy Panels, Improve Customer Loyalty and Increase Profitability
Protect your bottom line with advanced people screening technology
Optimizing Fire Safety with Integrated Cloud Solutions
Categories
Recent
Archives
Commercial
Monitoring
Residential
Suppliers
Cybersecurity
General News
Also Noted
On The Editor’s Desk
Monitoring Matters
20 Under 40
Emerging Leaders Under 40
Fire Systems Installation
News and Notes
Women in Security
This Blog’s on Fire (And Other Stuff)
New scholarship aims to build next generation of security consultants
TMA appoints Erika Shugart to serve as interim CEO
One, two, buckle my shoe
AI transforms residential security: Smarter installations & adaptive access control
i-PRO expands campus safety with BWC4000 and VideoInsight VMS integration
HID, ASSA ABLOY recognized with Red Dot Award
AURA raises €13.5M Series B round to ease access to emergency response services
DMP regional teams gain new personnel
Allegion acquires access control software provider Gatewise
Intercede, Gulf IT announce strategic alliance
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
View all Archives
SIA opens applications for 2025 Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship
Women in Security Profile: ‘Inclusiveness is no longer an afterthought for this industry, but a must,’ says Tiffany Renz
SIA, SecuritySpecifiers announce new CONSULT Scholarship
Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility Guidelines
© 2025 Security Systems News. All rights reserved. Web solutions provided by VGM Forbin
Media Kit
Advertise
Advertiser Directory
Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility Guidelines
© 2025 Security Systems News. All rights reserved. Web solutions provided by VGM Forbin
Webcasts
Microphone Icon
Events
Events
Videos
Video Icon
Podcasts
Video Icon
Subscribe Now
* – Indicates required fields
Password Requirements
