SIA Trained Security Officer Career:
Introduction: Factors such as the high crime rate and the nature of an organization’s activities give rise to the need for security personnel who can provide security and protection of material, information and personnel.
Choosing to become a SIA Trained Security Officer is most probably one of the most exciting career choices you can make. The reason is the diversity the occupation offers. Your choice of employment can range from being prison warder, passenger screener at an airport, working in retail on the shop floor, running the front desk at a big corporate organisation/bank or ensuring patrons having a good time in a night club. The essential task SIA Trained Security Officers are required to perform is the protection of lives and property. To enter any of these sectors you need a SIA SIA Door Supervisor or CCTV Operator license.
The SIA Trained Security Officer Occupation: Like people, occupations have traits or characteristics. These characteristics give important clues about the nature of the work and work environment, and give you an opportunity to match your own personal interests to a specific occupation. When you choose a job in an occupation that matches your own interests you have taken an important step in planning a successful and rewarding career.
The SIA Trained Security Officer occupation has Social, Enterprising and Conventional characteristics as described below:
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Skills and Knowledge:
People who are interested in a career in the security are expected to be reliable, honest with an observant nature. They must be of impeccable integrity and should have no previous criminal record, to qualify for their SIA license.
Working as a SIA Trained Security Officer comes with a high level of responsibility so prospective employees need to be able to demonstrate:
- A polite and approachable manner at all times
- A reasonable level of physical fitness and strength
- A trustworthy character
- A flexible and responsible approach to the job
- The ability to be patient regardless of the situation
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to solve problems as they arise
- A basic knowledge of IT
- The ability to follow instructions
- A confident approach and ability to deal with difficult/confrontational people
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team
- A good knowledge of customer care
- A non-judgmental approach
- The ability to relate well to a wide range of people
- The ability to respond positively to stressful situations
- Good eyesight
- The ability to work with technical equipment (e.g. closed-circuit television and Radio’s and computers)
- A willingness to learn and take training opportunities when offered
- A willingness to stay abreast of changes in standards within the security sector
- A clean criminal record
Working Conditions
SIA Trained Security Officers work long hours, typically up to 48 hours a week. The job usually involves some evening and over-night work on a shift basis but SIA Trained Security Officers may also be required to work overtime at short notice. In-house security jobs are usually based at a property or office but other jobs could involve driving long distances with valuable goods. SIA Trained Security Officers should expect to deal with unpleasant and confrontational situations on occasions.
Experience
Relevant work experience is not essential for finding work as a SIA Trained Security Officer but it will be extremely useful. Experience working in the army or police force is considered an advantage and possessing CV enhancement qualifications will also benefit the applicant. Previous experience working in a general customer-focused job or in a manual role will also be beneficial.
Employers
There are an incredible number of job opportunities for security professionals working in the UK. SIA Trained Security Officers usually work in-house for a business or professional organisation. Alternatively, they may work for a contractor or private security firm, working in different places each day depending on the need. Other SIA Trained Security Officers work at airports or other public spaces. Some work for private individuals, helping to protect a residential property. Experienced SIA Trained Security Officers may choose to set up their own security firms.
Salaries and Remuneration
SIA Trained Security Officers normally work shifts, which include night shifts. Many will get the opportunity to work overtime for which they are well remunerated.
The security industry offers above average salaries, compared to other industries. Many supervisory or management positions are available depending on training and experience.
SIA Security Qualifications
In the UK the private security is regulated by law and this law is enforced by the Security Industry Authority (SIA)
One of the main duties of the SIA is the compulsory licensing of individuals working in specific sectors of the private security industry. This required the obtaining of a relevant security qualification. Two such sectors are SIA Door Supervisor or CCTV Operator and Close Circuit Television Public Surveillance.
Security CV Enhancement Qualifications
There are several other qualifications that compliment security qualification. This also could be relevant for holding a combination of security licenses. Many organisations now demand that their security staff’s holding SIA Door Supervisor or CCTV Operator licences are also trained in CCTV Public Surveillance because the integration of security demands their security personnel are required to do both jobs.
AAB Training provides the following CV enhancement training qualifications.
Emergency First Aid at work. This course is designed to equip candidates with the essential knowledge, confidence and skills to render first aid in emergencies. This is by far the most popular course as it satisfies the HSE requirement for the “appointed person” Emergency First Aid ait Work.
Control and Restraint (C&R). Control and Restraint techniques are used as a last resort in order to bring a violent or refractory person under control. The techniques are applied for as short a time as is possible. C&R techniques only use the force that is necessary to enable staff to cope competently and effectively with violent people and potentially disruptive situations, with the minimum risk of injury to staff or other people.
Having security CV Enhancement Qualifications is especially relevant when you are a new entry into the security job market. Should you be a new entry into the security job market, these CV enhancement qualifications will give you the edge in competing for a security job above those candidates that don’t have them.