Vector Security's Dave Merrick and Debbie Fisher reviewed more than 105 applications for LPQ and LPC scholarships. This year, Vector will provide 30 scholarships to deserving LP professionals who are seeking to improve their careers through increased education.

Vector Security’s three year-old Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) scholarship program, saw its largest applicant numbers to date. This year, 105 applications were received, doubling last year’s number. If the adage “the third time is the charm” is a predictor of what will come, it certainly held true when it came to the results of Vector Security’s 2011 Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) scholarship program, the company stated.

The program was created in 2009 with the aim to contribute to the education of loss prevention professionals. According to Vector’s executive vice president, Michael Grady, the remarkable increase in entries is the result of several important factors. “First and foremost, the growing desirability of the LPF educational program speaks for itself. They offer a level of loss prevention education which is virtually unavailable outside the LPF. Second, loss prevention professionals are realizing that continuing education is important in a field where their roles are expanding quickly. LP professionals are expected to be sharp, technically savvy business managers, leaders, educators, social scientists, accountants, statisticians, high level executives, and of course… investigators. Third, the loss prevention industry has received increasing levels of awareness due to the LPF’s great job at expanding the coursework to colleges and universities. That’s attracting a more diverse level of people to their programs and the retail LP industry in general.”

While Grady is complimentary to the LPF, its president, Gene Smith returned the compliment. “Vector Security has been and remains the most stalwart supporter of the LPF program among the various business organizations support it. Their scholarship model has helped promote the value of our programs and, most importantly, has provided educational opportunities to many deserving people who might otherwise not be able to afford these courses.”

Vector will announce the 2011 winners during the week of March 7, 2011. This year Vector increased the number of scholarships to 15 each for both LPQ and LPC coursework.