There are thousands of people waiting for their SIA license approval. Since after getting SIA license, you can get security and guard jobs as these jobs require special training. After observing a couple of irregularities in accordance with the SIA license and new norms, the government has revised the conditions for giving SIA license. The new conditions are in accordance with the new norms faced today. These changes would help people get security jobs easily and will equip them with the modern and sophisticated trainings. Let’s go through the details and find out what is more there for you. In case you have further questions, you can visit GOV.UK.
They have made some changes to the training you need to take before you can get a front-line SIA license.
The changes are:
- They have introduced new, updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilization
- You must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard license
They will be making more changes in October 2021:
- On 1 October 2021, they will introduce updated close protection qualifications
- From 1 October 2021, you must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard license – this includes renewals
Are these changes really important? Especially, in times today. Let’s find out.
Why are they making these changes?
These changes are very important to the public, and for an individual who is applying for such a job. After the global pandemic, we have witnessed many learnings and changes. The job descriptions have changed enormously. That is why, it is best to revise the previous trainings.
We need to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:
- Keep the public safe
- Follow new working practices
- Understand recent changes to the law
- Make the best use of new technology
New requirement: First Aid Training
We already expected applicants for a close protection license to complete a first aid qualification before taking their license-linked training. We now expect applicants for a door supervisor or security guard license to do the same.
You will need to do this if you apply for either of the following:
- You are applying for a license for the first time
- It has been longer than 3 years since you last held a license for that activity
From 1 October 2021, you will also need to do this if you are renewing your license.
The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.
The requirement for first aid training will improve your skills as an SIA license holder. It will not change the obligations you have when responding to an emergency.
What do they mean by “equivalent”?
We will accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Your training provider can tell you more about this.
New requirement: top-up training for some license holders
From 1 October 2021, you must have one of the following before you can apply for, or renew, a door supervisor or security guard license:
- one of the new qualifications set in place in April 2021
- one of the older license-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications submitted on or after 1 October, including renewals. If you submit your application before this date, you will not need to take additional training.
If you hold a door supervisor license
From 1 October 2021, if you hold a door supervisor license you can choose one of the following options:
- Take the door supervisor top-up training and renew your door supervisor license
- Take the security guard top-up training and switch to a security guard license
In either case, you must have an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before can you take the top-up training.
The security guard top-up training is shorter than the door supervisor top-up training, so is likely to be cheaper. However, you should consider the day-to-day duties of the job that you do. If your job involves guarding licensed premises (such as a pub or a club) you will need to renew your door supervisor license.
More relevant course material
They have moved training that is critical for all sectors to the ‘common unit’ (taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on:
- Terror threat awareness
- Dealing with emergencies
They have introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
- The close protection course includes new material on physical intervention
- The door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video recorders and breathalyzers
- The public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
- The security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety
More practical assessments
They have increased the number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:
- searching
- dealing with conflict
- report/statement writing
- using communications devices
