Becoming a CCTV operator is one of the more accessible routes into professional security work—training takes just 3 days, and you can be working in a control room within weeks. The role suits people who are technically minded, detail-oriented, and prefer indoor work over frontline security positions. And, with salaries up to £3,500 per month (and up to £20 per hour), getting an SIA CCTV licence is a solid career move.
While training is fairly affordable, and most people choose to book their training course directly with a trusted provider, you can also opt for a funding option to cover the study costs and get free SIA CCTV training. Here are a few ways you can get SIA CCTV training in 2026.
The Straightforward Path: Booking A Training Course with Get Licensed
The most direct route to becoming a licensed CCTV operator is through professional SIA-approved training. Get Licensed offers comprehensive SIA CCTV operator courses designed to prepare you for your licence application and real-world surveillance work. With flexible learning options, market-competitive pricing, and multiple payment plans available, getting qualified is more accessible than you might think.
Many people choose to book their training and start immediately—there’s no waiting, no application processes, and you control your timeline. You can begin studying today and be exam-ready within weeks. This straightforward approach means you’re earning your CCTV operator salary sooner rather than later.
Want a discount? Use our exclusive promo code GET10OFF to save £10 on your CCTV training.
Free SIA Exam Prep Resources
Whether you’re pursuing funded training or booking directly, preparation makes a difference. Get Licensed provides free tools to help you get exam-ready:
- Free Unit 1 Course: Full online course on “Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry”, which is a part of the SIA CCTV training syllabus, to understand exactly what the qualification covers.
- SIA Mock Exams: Full-length practice tests for Unit 1 and Unit 2 with unlimited attempts. Build confidence before your real exam.
- YouTube Channel: Free SIA training-related videos, the Frontline Security Podcast, trainer insights, and career guidance specific to the security industry.
- GuardPass App: Free for everyone. Access thousands of mock exam questions (20 questions in 20 minutes), browse CCTV jobs, and watch training videos. Once qualified, create a worker profile and apply for control room positions directly.
- Security Blog: Comprehensive guides on CCTV careers, control room work, exam preparation tips, and security industry updates.
These free resources help you prepare for your exam, understand the role better, and become a stronger job candidate before you even book training.
4 Ways to Get Free SIA CCTV Training
While booking directly with a training platform like Get Licensed offers the fastest route to qualification, certain government programmes and employer schemes can support your training costs if you meet specific eligibility criteria. These aren’t training providers themselves; they’re funding mechanisms that may help you access partially funded or free SIA CCTV training.
Let’s explore these alternative pathways:
Sector-Based Work Academies (SWAP): Training Connected to Job Vacancies
SWAP programmes are designed for unemployed jobseekers and connect you directly with employers who have actual CCTV vacancies. This isn’t speculative training—it’s preparation for specific roles with real companies.
The programme typically lasts up to 6 weeks and includes three components: pre-employment training matched to the role, work experience in an actual control room setting, and a guaranteed job interview with the employer. The training is fully funded through government contributions, meaning you pay nothing.
Local councils and transport operators frequently use SWAP to recruit CCTV operators because they need trained staff who understand their specific surveillance systems and procedures.
Eligibility: Unemployed or not in full-time education.
How to apply: Speak with your Work Coach at Jobcentre Plus or search “Sector-Based Work Academy” on the Find a Job service.
Apprenticeships: The Control Room Operator Pathway
The Level 2 Professional Security Operative Apprenticeship includes a “Security Control Room Operative” pathway covering CCTV operations. Unlike standalone training, apprenticeships combine employment with qualification—you’re earning a wage from day one (typically up to £20 per hour) while completing your SIA licence as part of your role.
Apprenticeships are fully funded by employers or government levy contributions—you pay nothing. Large employers with apprenticeship levy funds, including major security firms, local councils, and transport operators, actively recruit through this route. You gain structured career progression with clear pathways to senior control room positions.
Eligibility: Anyone 18+ (no specific qualifications required for most positions).
How to apply: Search Find an Apprenticeship using “security control room operative” or “CCTV operator apprenticeship”.
Universal Credit Claimants: Employment Support Programmes
If you’re claiming Universal Credit specifically, you have an additional route. Recent policy changes allow claimants to undertake full-time training for up to 16 weeks without losing benefits—provided the course leads to employment.
Unlike SWAP (which connects you to specific employer vacancies), this route lets you pursue CCTV training more generally. Your Work Coach can approve funding if they’re confident it will lead to employment. You’ll need to demonstrate job demand by showing CCTV vacancies in your area using the Get Licensed job board or other listings.
Eligibility: Universal Credit claimants.
How to apply: Contact your assigned Work Coach through your Universal Credit account.
Employer-Sponsored Training: Direct Routes to Employment
Security companies, local councils, transport operators, and organisations running large-scale surveillance operations sometimes cover SIA training costs during their recruitment process. You might encounter several arrangements:
- Upfront payment with no recovery—less common, but happens when hiring urgently
- Salary deductions where training costs are recovered through small monthly amounts (typically £10-20) from your pay
- Commitment agreements where you work for the employer for 6-12 months after qualifying
Eligibility: Varies by employer (typically no formal requirements beyond the right to work in the UK).
How to find: Search job boards for “CCTV operator training provided” or “SIA licence sponsored,” or browse the Get Licensed job board for employers actively recruiting.
Choose Your Training Route
Getting your SIA CCTV operator licence is a highly recommended career investment. Free SIA CCTV training is genuinely available through government programmes like SWAP and apprenticeships if you meet eligibility requirements. However, these routes typically take longer because of application processes and approval timelines.
If you meet specific eligibility criteria, explore the funded pathways outlined above for free SIA training. These external funding sources may cover training costs.
If you’re ready to start immediately, book your SIA CCTV training with Get Licensed. Choose from flexible learning options with competitive rates and payment plans that suit your situation. You control the timeline and can begin your new career within weeks.
Either way, the destination is the same: a professional qualification that launches your career in one of the UK’s most in-demand security sectors. Take the next step today!
