Security Guard Training
Introduction
In a world where crime can occur at any moment, security is a vital word; and to ensure security and protection of people and property we employ security guards. Even the mere presence of a security guard can help to prevent a crime from being committed. Due to the ever increasing importance of safety and security we should be cautious when hiring skilled security personnel. Security guards should not just be physically and mentally fit, but also have the proper security training and skills to handle any situation; this includes controlling situations and having good people skills. This is where security guard training is essential; in fact, security guard training is a required qualification to obtain a security guard licence.
What is security guard training?
The word security means “the state of feeling secure”. Secure comes from the Latin word securus which means “carefree”; while the etiology of the word “guard” is rooted from French word garde, or garder which means “to protect”. By putting these words together, security guard will mean “to protect the carefree feeling”. That being said, the mere presence of a security guard will already give you a feeling of safety. This feeling of being protected against harm are entrusted to security personnel with sufficient and comprehensive training.
Security guards are the security personnel that are responsible for the safeguarding and protection of people, place or property. Often referred to as security officers; they belong to the security force that gives supervision, ensures protection and establishes law and order. It is synonymous to watchmen, patrollers or watchers. They offer security by providing a certain level of assurance; providing defense, protection or countermeasures against threats and unnecessary risks.
Security guarding involves manned guarding of property against damage, guarding a person from assault or controlling the access of premises. In order to participate in such activities, a security licensed is required. Upon successful completion of the security guard training course, certification is awarded and the individual may acquire a license for legal practice in the private security sector. Proper communication and conflict resolution also forms part of the security training and this will be applied during security guarding.
What Are the Responsibilities of Security Guards?
The scope of practice or nature of work of a security officer is governed by the contract they have with their employer. The contract can state limitations and responsibilities; and the implementation of these responsibilities are provided by the security guard training. The scope of practice for security guards is included in the lectures for security training. The practice covers the different roles of an officer; this can include the of property, assets and public management for licensed premises.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) requires an individual to have a licence before he or she may legally work as a security guard in the United Kingdom. A frontline security license holder can cover activities in security guarding such as the use of CCTV in security guarding and key holding.
What are the Requirements for a Security Guard License?
In order to apply for security guards license, the following requirements should be met:
- Age requirement of 18 years orabove
- Identity Check
- Criminal Record Check
- security guard training Award
- Physical and Mental Health
The applicants must submit documents confirming their identity and age. Before a licence is approved, the individual needs to be within the legal working age. The real name, address and other identification will be verified and criminal records will be investigated. For a license to be approved, the individual should be clear of any criminal records, community offenses, disposals, fines and records of imprisonment within 12 month prior to the application. A medical certificate stating physical and mental capability to handle roles and responsibilities of a security guard should also be presented.
As part of the qualification, all applicants are required to complete a security guard training course and pass the examination. This security guard training course provides the appropriate qualification that will allow the individual to function within the security industry. When applying for security guard license, a security training lecture on common modules and conflict management should also be taken. These modules are similar to the ones needed when you are applying for a door supervisor or for close protection body guard training. If you are already a licensed door supervisor or close protection body guard, you won’t need additional security guard training.
What is security guard training?
Security guard training is a legal qualification recommended by the SIA for the application of a security guard license. For job seekers in the security sector, a license is required with the application. This training is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the individual to ensure safe and proper practices of the different responsibilities within the security sector.
To complete the security guard training course, 26 guided learning hours or 20.5 hours of minimum contact is required. The total guided learning hours represent the entire class time spent with direct supervision of trainers; including the time spent when completing various activities. Upon completion of this training, examination is given to each individual to determine their competencies. The Level 2 award in security guarding is the qualification title that is received upon completion of the training course.
Security Training Course Outline
Below is a sample of the course content of the security guard training program:
Module One: Common Security Industry Knowledge
- Aware Laws in the Private Security Industry;
- Proper Safety Techniques for the Private Security Guard;
- Fire Safety Awareness and Procedures;
- The Private Security Industry.
Module Two: Security Guarding
- Responsibilities of Licensed Security Guards;
- Patrolling;
- Access Control;
- Proper Search Techniques;
- Technology and Security Systems;
- The Security Officer and the Law;
- Communicating and Record Keeping;
Conflict Management Module:
- Avoiding Conflict and Reducing Risk;
- How to Defuse Conflicting Situations;
- Communication Skills Management for Security Personnel.
What are the Things You Should Know About the Security Guard License?
A Security Guard License allows you to partake in additional security activities, in addition to those required of a door supervisor, public surveillance operator or close protection security body guard.
The SIA license are valid for three years; and a renewal can be done up to four months before the current license expires. The Security Industry Authority usually notifies the license holder prior to the license expiry by sending a renewal notice to the registered address of the license holder. This ensures that the licensed personnel are reminded in advance to renew their licence.
License integration is applicable in cases where the individual has another security license; enabling him or her to practice in the other security sectors. For example, a doorman supervisor license or a close protection body guard license also enables you to perform certain security guard activities. The licence integration amongst security sectors, specifically in door supervision and close protection guarding, includes the required module that is necessary to obtain a license. Therefore, no separate security guard training award will be necessary.
Welcome the SIA Security Training section of AAB training, please take the time to read through our most frequently asked questions, we hope that this will be of significant value to assist you in your career choice.
Index of FAQ’s:
What types of security training SIA courses are available in the UK?
Security Training Courses are conducted so as to provide career paths in line with national occupational standards, the current career paths include door security through door supervisor training, which automatically covers security guard training although it is also possible for those who’d wish to only participate in static guarding to attend a security guard training course without additional door supervisor training modules such as physical intervention. Then there is also wheel clamping officers through vehicle immobilization training, CCTV operators through CCTV/PSS training courses as well as close protection (bodyguard) programmes for those who’d wish to persue their career at a higher level. Others include key holding and CVIT or cash and valuables in transit.
Which cities in the UK currently hosts SIA security training?
The UK as a whole is licensable, thus AAB offers SIA security training in all major UK cities, which includes London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton, Cardiff, Bristol, Leicester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Belfast, Guildford, Croydon and many more locations. Our staff also travels nationwide to deliver in house SIA security training for organizations on request.
How much should I spend on security training?
Whilst AAB training makes available some of the most affordable SIA security training courses in the UK, from as little as £70, you must remember that you are probably interested in apply for jobs that can offer a salary in the region of £15 per hour. For this you would need to add valuable qualifications to your CV and we suggest that you spend a minimum of £300 on yourself over 7 to 10 days in order to have the upper hand during interviews and SIA recruitment selection.
What is the duration on average of security training courses?
The SIA stipulates minimum guided learning hours as a measure to assure quality. It is possible to gain certification following your security training in the following time spans: SIA security guard, 3 or 4 days, SIA Door Supervisor Training course 3 or 4 days, CCTV training 3 or 4 days, Close protection training course 14 days, wheel clamping or vehicle immobilization 3 or 4 days, emergency first aid at work 1 or 3 days, physical intervention 1 or 2 days.
How long will it take before I am eligible for employment following my SIA security training?
It is possible to attend security job interviews immediately upon completion of your security training course, after which approved contractors are able to offer employment whilst your SIA licence is pending, it is worthy to note that this arrangement does not apply to non approved contractors, in which case the SIA licence will have to be processed first.
Following completion of my Security Training course, where am I eligible to work?
SIA licence holders work in a variety of places, depending on which licence they hold, which would be determined by the type of security training they have conducted. Common places of work will include banks, schools, residential areas, shopping locations, public transport, construction and retail industries, all forms of higher education such as universities, airports and other areas where security is required.
Would the SIA licence validity be tied to the duration of my Security Training?
Licences are generally valid for 3 years and are issued on application, after your initial security training. We would predict that the industry will eventually require and recognize the continuous professional development be required in order to keep licenses current, however, now in 2010 it is not yet mandatory.
What methods of training would be recognized under new common modules?
In SIA security training, the majority of training is conducted with through tutor contact hours, although certain elements of training can be conducted through blended learning, which would mean a small percentage can be achieved through online distance learning prior to contact taking place. Security training has several elements that is rather generic.
Security Guard Training: Professionalism
Since the introduction of private security industry training, The underlying rational for the regulation of the security industry is that poor security has implications for public safety and that unregulated market mechanisms cannot relied upon to ensure a minimum standard that would guarantee public safety. The secondary aim it will lead the private security business to a higher standard and lending professional status to the occupation at the same time. The entire licensed required training outcome is also supposed to address professionalism
In an interview with Tony Holyland of the SIA he explained that this is the basic purpose of the existing Security Legislation and as example he cited it is “to create a safer environment for society cited the door supervisor scenario.”
Since then the competency renewal strategy and QCF listed modular training was introduced as measures to help achieve these targets. The security training industry will continue to experience change in regulation as a result of constant improvement. A code of conduct is available and incorporated into basic security job training, and is also listed on the SIA website. The SIA Licence is issued with this as basis of the agreement.
Whilst there is a greater focus on trainer to candidate ratio in practical training, it is argued that recognition be made for non practical training for example health and safety theory, legislation etc. – it would be irrational to imply otherwise in a society where 100 law students and 40 accountancy students attend classes in practice.
Summary
In order to practice within the within the security field, proper security guard training should successfully be completed. The completion of this training qualifies the participant to apply for a license; which represents the individual’s legal capabilities to practice within the scope of the security industry. It also serves as proof that these personnel are highly trained and skilled to provide adequate security to both individuals and properties.