The Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulatory body for the private security sector in all four countries of the UK. It draws its powers from the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The Act introduced the mandatory licensing of many people working in security occupations, including contracted Security Officers and CCTV Operators and all Door Supervisors, further information is available at the SIA's website.
Mandatory Training
One of the conditions of applying for an SIA licence is the completion of security training and the achievement of a recognised security qualification. Skills for Security does not train front line security staff but we do produce training materials which suitably qualified trainers can use to deliver SIA-compliant training to people wishing to work in security guarding, door supervision or CCTV operations. We are also able to supply the associated examination papers. Further information about SIA training packages can be found here.
Information for trainers
Qualifying to deliver security training
If you wish to train people for SIA licensing purposes you will need to meet a number of criteria:-
- You must hold a minimum Level 3 teaching qualification (e.g City & Guilds 7303 - now 6302)
- You must have practical experience of the subject(s) you wish to teach
- If you wish to teach conflict management skills you will also need a conflict management trainer qualification (e.g City & Guilds 1886 - now 2886)
- You must be registered as an Approved Trainer by the Awarding Body whose qualification you will be offering
- You must also be registered with a training centre that is approved by the same Awarding Body.
Skills for Security offers trainer training programmes leading to the City & Guilds 6302 and 2886 qualifications, together with a range of development programmes for qualified trainers.
Applying to become an Approved Trainer
The following Awarding Bodies offer qualifications that are approved by the SIA for licensing purposes and will be able to provide details of what you need to do to become approved and begin training security staff:
BIIAB, Bucks New University, City & Guilds, Edexcel, EDI, HABC, IQ, NOCN, NCFE , SQA and Trident
Obtaining training materials
Once you are an Approved Trainer, Skills for Security can provide you with training materials that meet the SIA's specification. If you are registered with an NOCN centre we can also provide you with the associated examination papers.
