Thinking about getting your SIA licence and starting a career in security? You might be wondering if you can get SIA training for free. The good news is that there are ways to get started without paying for training, including funded courses for eligible learners.
For starters, you can begin learning right away with our free Introduction to the Private Security Industry course (Unit 1). It’s a great way to explore what SIA training involves and see if a career in security is right for you, and it covers topics like emergency procedures, fire and safety awareness, and communication skills. Just remember, this free introductory course isn’t the full licence-linked qualification you’ll need to apply for an SIA licence.
So, what other options are available? Let’s look at the different ways you could get free SIA training, who might qualify and how to get started.
How To Get Free SIA Training
To become a security operative, you will need to hold a valid SIA licence, and to get your SIA badge, you will need to attend a licence-linked course.
The SIA licence application fee is currently £204, with training costs depending on the course you choose. Security guard, door supervisor and CCTV courses generally cost around £200–£400, while close protection training typically starts at around £2,000. You may also need to budget for first aid training, depending on your chosen qualification.
But here’s the good news: you might not have to cover all these costs yourself. So, can you get SIA training for free, or at least have some of it funded?
Yes — here’s how.
| Route | Cost to you | Who qualifies | What’s covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| College (Adult Skills Fund) | Free if eligible | 19+, unemployed or on a low wage | Course, often the licence fee |
| Skills Bootcamp | Free | Most adults 19+ | Course (up to 16 weeks) |
| SWAP | Free | Jobseekers 16+ on benefits | Training + guaranteed interview |
| Jobcentre / Universal Credit | Potentially free | UC claimants, Work Coach approval | Course (sometimes licence, travel, kit) |
| Apprenticeship | Free — you earn | Employed apprentice, 16+ | Full training + a wage |
| Employer sponsorship | Not free — repaid from wages | New or existing staff | Course cost, spread over your wages |
Free College Courses (Adult Skills Fund)
Cost to you: Free if eligible (often including the licence)
Many colleges run SIA courses funded through the Adult Skills Fund. You’ll usually qualify if you’re 19 or over and unemployed or on a low wage, and plenty cover the £204 licence fee too. South Thames College, for example, has run a free door supervisor course that includes the SIA badge and licence. Availability changes each term and varies by area, so search the National Careers Service course finder or your local college for current funded courses.
Skills Bootcamps
Cost to you: Free
Skills Bootcamps are free, government-funded courses (up to 16 weeks) in sectors with staff shortages, open to most adults aged 19+. Some regions run security-related bootcamps, though availability varies. Check the National Careers Service course finder or ask local providers what’s running near you.
Sector-Based Work Academies (SWAP)
Cost to you: Free (fully government-funded; you pay nothing)
The Sector-Based Work Academies Programme (SWAP) is a government-funded scheme that combines pre-employment training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview. The programme lasts up to six weeks and is fully funded—you pay nothing. SWAP is available to jobseekers aged 16 or over who are receiving unemployment benefits. Speak to your Work Coach at Jobcentre Plus to find out if there’s a SWAP programme running in your area for SIA training.
Jobcentre / Universal Credit Funding
Cost to you: Potentially free (discretionary, so it’s a “maybe,” not a guarantee)
If you’re claiming Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit, your local Jobcentre Plus may fund your SIA training. Speak to your Work Coach. If you can show the training will lead to a job, they may approve it under the 16-week training rule. It depends on your circumstances and what’s funded locally, so it’s worth asking exactly what’s covered before you enrol.
To make that conversation easier, our funded security training tool builds a quote letter you can download and take to your Jobcentre appointment. It covers the course price, the £204 licence fee and our details, which is exactly what your Work Coach needs.
Apprenticeships
Cost to you: Free (and you earn while you learn)
The Professional Security Operative Apprenticeship was introduced in 2023 and covers roles like security guard and door supervisor. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom learning, and the employer covers the cost. If you’re under 25 or looking for a career change, search for security apprenticeships on Find an Apprenticeship. You’ll earn whilst you learn, with salaries typically starting around £20,000+.
Which SIA Course Should You Choose?
Different SIA roles have different training costs and funding availability:
- Free security guard training: Most accessible entry point, funding options available
- Free door supervisor training: High demand in nightlife and events, funding options available
- Free CCTV operator training: Indoor, technology-focused work, funding options available
- Free close protection training: Elite qualification, limited funding
Invest in Your Future with Our SIA Training Courses
If you are interested in working in the security sector, whether it be as a door supervisor, security guard or CCTV operator, you need to complete an SIA training course and get your SIA badge.
While there are some ways to access free or funded SIA training, this largely depends on the evolving policy updates of funding institutions. Thus, even though there are possibilities of getting your training funded, you may still have to pay for your course. That said, security work is in high demand in the UK, and investing in an SIA course is a smart idea if you think long-term. In just a few weeks, you’ll be able to recoup the training costs and as you continue working in the private security industry, you’re likely to get more high-paying opportunities.
Don’t qualify for free training? You can still get trained without paying everything upfront:
- Employer sponsorship. Some security companies pay for your course and recover it from your wages over a few months (sometimes with interest). It’s really a loan — you’ll repay it if you leave early — but it gets you trained and working with nothing to pay on day one.
- Spread the cost. Get Licensed offers interest-free instalments, and our 4 ways to pay less for your SIA training guide has more options. Use code GET10OFF for £10 off any course.
- Weighing up formats? See what parts of SIA training you can do online.
Security work is in high demand, so you’ll typically recoup the cost within a few weeks of working. If a career in security is what you want, it’s worth the investment!
FAQs
Some platforms offer free online SIA courses with a certificate for awareness only, but full SIA licence training must be completed in person.
Search for “free SIA training near me” online or browse through our locations to select a training centre near you. Availability varies by region and funding.
Yes, free SIA training for unemployed individuals is available through government schemes and employability programmes in certain areas.
Yes, you can find free security courses through local councils, training providers, or employment support schemes. These may include SIA licence training if funding is available.
Sometimes. Some college, Jobcentre and employer schemes cover the licence fee as well as the course. Always check what your specific scheme includes.
Yes — the Mayor’s Adult Skills Fund covers the full course cost (and often the licence fee) for Londoners who are unemployed or on a low wage, and some boroughs run their own schemes. Check your local college and council.
Often — through apprenticeships (you earn while you train) or youth-focused council schemes.
It can. On Universal Credit, if you can show the training will lead to a job, your Work Coach may fund it (often through the Flexible Support Fund) under the 16-week training rule. It’s discretionary, not automatic — our funded security training tool builds a quote letter to help.
Looking For Jobs?
To find the latest security jobs, check out our security job board, which has 1,000+ jobs from the UK’s best security companies.
If you’re on the hunt for a security job on the go, download the GuardPass app for all the latest jobs and more. The GuardPass App is available for download on the Apple App Store or on the Google Play Store.
Explore our SIA security courses and get started today!
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