Are you planning to be a licensed security guard in the UK? You might be searching for “how to become a security guard in UK?” Don’t worry, you are at the right place.
The job of a security guard is not something that everyone can do. It takes a lot of courage, hard work, and a sense of responsibility to be a great security guard.
If you aspire to be a security guard in the UK, you will need an SIA license after completing the SIA security guard course.
Several doors of opportunities open up for you after the successful completion of the SIA security guard training.
In this blog post, we will discuss the types of security guards roles, required skills, and some tips to nail your first security job interview.
Continue reading!
Most Common Security Guard Roles
Security personnel’s activities and duties change depending on their career’s needs – e.g., you switch to a different job role, or your employer finds you suitable for another position.
In short, you will find various security guard roles in the UK, and keep in mind that each security role comes with its own challenges.
So here are the security guard roles that an SIA licensed person can avail of after completing their training.
You may experience more security job roles throughout your security guard career.
1. Executive/Personal Security Guards
Personal security guards protect an individual from any harm to keep them safe. Many executives or VIPs need strong security at all times, so it may even become a 24-hour job, according to a client’s needs.
They go with them everywhere and ensure the safety of the client.
Can you put others’ lives before yours? If yes, you are really suitable for a personal security guard role.
Most politicians, celebrities, and upper-class businessmen hire executive security guards for protection from potential threats.
2. Door Supervisor
The door supervisor role is the most common type of role in the security industry. Once you accomplish the course and get an SIA Door Supervisor license, you can start your career in this role.
A door supervisor’s role is to keep the entrance of a place secure by carefully checking who is entering or leaving a specific point.
It involves protecting the entry points and individuals but varies according to a client’s needs.
3. Static Security Guards
As you can see by the term “static”, the static security guards hold one specific point to fulfill their role. These are the security guards that check the belongings and luggage to ensure the safety of a building.
For instance, they will check if someone is not having anything illegal, like drugs or even a weapon.
4. Mobile Security Guards
Unlike static security guards, mobile security guards are the security personnel that moves around or drive to see any suspicious activities. They will take action if anything occurs if something can put the life of a citizen in danger or can affect a property.
5. Corporate Security Guards
The responsibility of a corporate security guard is to ensure the safety of – malls, hospitals, offices, or any other corporate property from danger. Corporate guards have to stay vigilant to eliminate potential threats to properties and people. It’s a pretty decent option once you complete your security guard training.
6. Residential Security Guards
Residential security guards protect the homes, apartments, or other residential locations from any harm. Key responsibilities are to secure the residential areas and families living in those properties. These guards are often on patrol to look for any sceptical situations.
7. Industrial Guards
Factories and sites under construction need constant security. Industrial guards monitor the facility, control the entry points, and protect machinery/equipment.
Industrial/construction security guards might have to work after the facility is closed to perform the same-mentioned duties.
Required Skills for A Security Guard:
Before you plan to become a licensed security guard, you need to assess if you have the required skill set to accomplish your SIA security guard training.
The skills can be in two categories, hard and soft skills.
| Required Soft Skills | Required Hard Skills |
| Good Communication | Physically fit for the job |
| Problem-Solving | Self Defense |
| Team Player | Report Writing |
| Patience and Self-Control | Must have training with arms |
| Time Management | Knows how to use force when needed |
What happened? Don’t have all the skills? No one is perfect, and you can always work on them to improve. It takes effort, hard work, and dedication to be suitable for any job role.
What are the responsibilities of a security guard?
Now that you know the skills needed for a security guard; let’s move on to the top responsibilities a security guard has to perform to fulfil their role.
So here are the key responsibilities that a security guard has to take in their hand:
- Maintaining order in their area
- Keeping the peace secure
- Look for suspicious activities
- Take care of emergency situations and circumstances
- Monitor people’s activities and behaviours
- Communicating with people for their safety
How much can you make as a security guard in the UK?
The average hourly wage of an SIA security guard is £10 to £14. You can expect to earn £20,000 yearly.
Although, it depends immensely on your employer, experience, and the role you will be working in.
At Agile Security Training, we try to bring the best out of our customers. So, they can become the experts at their job, and earn more than your average security guard roles.
How to become a security guard in the UK?
To become an SIA licensed security guard in the UK, you must compete in the 5-day security guard training course.
It comes with 3x multiple-choice assessments to pass the course. And the result is announced within 8-12 days.
Plus, Agile Security Training offers free resits to its customers. So even if you fail the exam, you can come back again to take part in the exam.
The requirements for this course are :
- Age: 18+
- Price: €250
- Physically fit and healthy
- Able to write and speak English
- UK government has allowed you to work
Have you made up your mind to get your first security guard job?
Register for an SIA security guard course with Agile Security Training; we have trained 500+ individuals for the security industry.
Our trainers can help you complete all the essential requirements and get you ready for your first security job interview.
