As demand for private security services grows in the UK, now is a great time to start a career in the industry.
According to a recent article written by the British Security Industry Association, the UK’s private security industry needs to recruit, train, and licence over 62,000 new security officers over the next 12 months if they are to keep up with the growing demand for private security services.
If you’ve ever considered a career in the private security industry, then now is an excellent time to get things kickstarted.
In this article, we will find out more about one of the most popular job roles in the private security industry: the SIA door supervisor.
An SIA door supervisor is a person who holds a door supervisor licence that has been issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
In the UK, door supervisors and security guards must have a valid SIA licence to legally carry out their job working in the private security industry.
Door supervisors most commonly work on the doors at private venues including bars, pubs, and nightclubs, but they can work in a range of different sectors and environments.
The role of an SIA door supervisor is to provide security services to businesses to help them to maintain a safe working environment. They do this by preventing the entry of unwanted people, managing conflict, and physically intervening if required to do so.
What jobs can I do?
If you possess an SIA door supervisor licence, you are eligible to apply for private security roles within a wide range of different industries and environments including:
- Offices
- Events
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Construction
No matter where you work, your primary objective as an SIA door supervisor will be to provide security and help to create a safe working environment. To achieve this, you may carry out a variety of tasks and responsibilities, including:
- Preventing the entry of unwanted or unsuitable people.
- Managing conflict.
- Providing customer service to the public and employees.
- Carrying out physical interventions when required to do so.
- Handling security emergencies.
- Communicating with other security personnel and emergency services.
- Controlling crowds.
An SIA door supervisor licence is very versatile, giving access to a wide range of different job opportunities to those that possess one.
How can I train?
If you would like to begin a career working in the private security industry as a door supervisor, then you’ll need to complete a short training course to earn your SIA door supervisor licence first.
You can check if you meet all the government’s requirements to apply for an SIA licence by checking the criteria on the government website here.
Next, you should find a professional and reputable training provider that offers accredited SIA door supervisor training courses.
Here at Dynamis Education Centre, we offer SIA level 2 door supervisor training at our training centre in Manchester. The course takes just 2 weeks and 2 days to complete and upon completion, you can apply for your SIA licence on the government website.
The SIA door supervisor training course is divided into four units:
- Working in the private security industry.
- Working as a door supervisor.
- Conflict management for the private security industry.
- Physical intervention skills for the private security industry.
The course covers everything you need to know to begin working as an SIA door supervisor.
At the end of your training, you will need to sit both multiple-choice exams and a practical assessment.
Can I get funded training to be an SIA door supervisor?
It costs on average between £400 and £500 to get trained and licenced as an SIA door supervisor. Some people may be able to access funding to cover the cost of their training, licence, or both.
Funding is usually acquired by one of three different routes:
- Your employer or future employer.
- The Skill Funding Agency.
- The Job Centre.
Unless your employer is willing to pay for your training and licence, funding is only usually available to people who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Aged between 19 and 24.
- Unemployed for at least a year.
- Claiming a State Benefit like Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, or Universal Credit.
If you are eligible for funding, then we regularly run a variety of different free, funded SIA training courses, including SIA Door Supervisor training here at Dynamis Training.
Do I need an SIA licence?
In most cases, it is against the law to work in a private security role in the UK without first completing a relevant training course and gaining an SIA licence.
Anyone found working in the private security industry without a licence could receive a penalty, be fined up to £5000, or be sent to prison for up to six months.
How can I apply for an SIA licence?
Applications for an SIA licence should be made on the government website here. You must have completed a relevant SIA door supervisor training course before applying.
Unless you are receiving funding for your licence, the cost of your first licence will be £190.
Licences are valid for three years and then they need to be reapplied for. Every subsequent licence will cost £95.
You can either apply for your licence yourself, or your employer may offer to apply for you.
Here at Dynamis Education Centre, we are providers of high-quality, professional training courses. We are an SIA-accredited company with many years of experience in the industry. We regularly run a variety of different free, funded SIA training courses, including SIA Door Supervisor training.
For more information about our upcoming funded SIA training courses, get in touch with our team by calling us for free on 08000 24 2442.