It is one of the recurring myths of the security industry to say that Door Supervisors, or bouncers to give them their more colloquial title, are little more than hired grunt to get rid of troublemakers in a summary and hassle-free manner. This leads to an impression that anyone, given the right physical dimensions and propensity for violence, can make a living as a bouncer. There was a time, perhaps, when this was true, but the SIA’s remit has been to ensure that the security industry, in common with the other important industries in the UK, is run along structured lines which prevent slippage of standards. Although this may be seen as something which is done purely to serve the industry, it has led to a more manageable career path for security workers at the same time.

Getting licensed is now an indispensable part of becoming a security worker. If you don’t get the requisite licence, you cannot legally work in the security industry. You can still give it a go, but the risk will always be there that you will be subject to one of the many spot checks which are carried out by dedicated staff. The message is clear: it is not worth trying to work in security without getting an SIA Licence. The trade-off to this is that by training to get your licence, it is possible to develop skills you had never really considered. These skills, and the theoretical knowledge that comes with them, can feed into interesting – and what’s more, very well paid – future career options. With the SIA currently looking at a policy of generic licensing, it could soon be time that a qualification sought by a prospective Door Supervisor could lead to a career away from the front of house.

Once you have qualified as a Door Supervisor, you may wish to remain at the front of house, or consider moving into other positions. The knowledge gained while doing that job can come in extremely useful in other positions such as that of CCTV Operative. Sitting at a CCTV monitor allows you to see things that a Door Supervisor cannot. Working as a Door Supervisor gives you an enviable knowledge of what – and whom – you should be looking for.

It doesn’t stop at that, either. Someone who has worked in the security industry and gained the necessary SIA training can find that the option to work for themselves one day becomes a lot more manageable as a result. This can result in becoming the manager of your own security company – one which can be all the more efficient for the benefit of your experience and your learning. Security Guards and Door Supervisors are increasingly coming to the conclusion that where once they were simply doing a job, they could now be embarking upon a very rewarding career. Getting the right SIA training now could mean that in the future, you are your own boss, and using your knowledge to improve the security of your city or town.