How to improve your status and career path

You may find your first gig daunting when you get your SIA licence. You’ll be learning the ropes, and it will take time to progress into the role. As you train, you’ll be guided by other security guards that have been working the role for some time, and you’ll learn and gain confidence in your skill set. 

But while many people love the role, and stay in it for years, if you remain at a security guard level, unfortunately, your salary will be limited. If you want to improve your paycheck and progress in your career, there are plenty of ways to get where you want to be. 

As you progress in the role, you’ll be able to teach and guide new security guards just like they trained you when you were starting out. If you are a team player, diligent, and with a desire to progress, there are many ways you can prove to your manager that you are suitable for the natural progression — which would be the role of team leader or trainer. In this role, you’ll manage other security guards and help train new staff. Learning as much as possible is the best way to progress in your career. You can do this in several ways:

RCAS

If you are a security guard working for a train company, several security companies and rail networks work with the Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme (RSAS). The scheme works in conjunction with the British Transport Police and effectively allows greater intelligence between security personnel and the police and trains. 

It gives security guards more powers to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour, and sharing resources frees up the British Transport Police to deal with more serious crimes. The scheme is a boon if you are a security guard, as it will vastly increase your skill set and improve your career progression. 

CSAS

If you are a security guard working for a hospital or a local council, you may find they are working with the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). This scheme allows chief constables to accredit employed people with more powers to help in assisting the community. 

Hospital security guards and retail security guards often use the scheme and work with the local police to, once again, deal with anti-social behaviour to free up valuable police time on more serious crimes. Guards who have joined the scheme will still wear their employer’s uniform, but they will also have a badge from the local police. You might deal with issues such as street drinking or dog fouling and assist the police by maintaining a presence in the community.  

E-learning

E-learning is a great way to improve your skill set. You can take courses independently or let your manager know you would like to take the course. In this case, they may choose to pay for the course. There are several courses you can take. These include:

• Fire Marshall — The fire marshall CPD-accredited course teaches you all the skills to tackle a fire and keep yourself and others safe. 
• Introduction to Risk Assessment — The introduction to risk assessment is a foundation course provides the foundation for learning about workplace health risks.
• ADHD Awareness — The ADHD awareness course will help you learn how you support people with ADHD. 
• Mental Health Awareness — The mental health awareness course is aimed to allow attendees to recognise and support co-workers with depression or other mental health issues. 
• Workplace Health and Safety — The workplace health and safety course teaches you how to react in the event of an accident and covers COSHH and handling electricity. 

Badges on Guardpass

One of the simplest and cheapest ways to improve your skills and shine on the GuardPass app is to take some of our badges. These are very short courses that ask you a few simple questions over the space of a few days. As soon as you have completed the course, the badge will be displayed on your GuardPass App so employers can see you have those skills. There are several of these badges that you can achieve, including:

• Communication
• Conflict management
• Handling Emergencies
• Customer care
• Search proceedings
• Use of force
• Law and regulations
• Fire safety
• Nato alphabet
• Hazards and risks

With all these ways to increase your skill set, what are you waiting for? Career progression is at the tip of your fingers. Book an e-course today or download the Guardpass app and get learning for free!