SIA’s acting CEO issues statement on new licence-linked qualifications

Thursday 1 April marks the introduction of the updates to the existing qualifications needed to apply for an SIA licence for the first time. The private security industry clearly plays a hugely important role in the protection of the public and the SIA has decided to update its qualification standards to keep security operatives and the communities they serve as safe as possible.

The changes are important in terms of ensuring that security operatives can continue to protect members of the public. In addition, they follow new working practices, take account of recent alterations in the law and also allow for the best use of technology.

“The changes are based on the views of expert stakeholders,” explained Russell. “We also considered recommendations from various coroner’s inquests. The changes reflect extensive research and discussion with the industry, including a public consultation to which over 6,000 front line staff and security businesses responded. The consultation demonstrated high levels of support for the new training requirements. Indeed, we’re still receiving such supportive feedback.”

The SIA is introducing new and updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation. Close protection operatives already had to complete a First Aid qualification before embarking on licence-linked training. Individuals must now possess a recognised Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent (ie First Aid at Work, First Person on Scene or First Response Emergency Care) before they can take the training required to gain a door supervisor or security officer licence. This is true for anyone applying for an inaugural licence or if it has been longer than three years since an individual last held a licence for such regulated security-focused activities.

Further changes in October

Further changes are being introduced later this year. On 1 October, updated close protection qualifications are being introduced. From that date, individuals must have one of the new qualifications or otherwise undergo top-up training before they can apply for a door supervisor and/or a security officer licence. The same is also true for licence renewals.

From 1 October, if an individual holds a door supervisor licence, they can take the door supervisor top-up training and then renew their door supervisor licence or otherwise take the security officer-centric top-up training and then switch to a security officer licence. In either case, the individual concerned must hold an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) before they can take the top-up training.

The security officer top-up training is shorter than the door supervisor top-up training so is likely to be cheaper. However, the SIA points out that individuals should consider the day-to-day duties of the job role they transact. If the role involves guarding licensed premises (such as a pub or a nightclub) then they will need to renew their door supervisor licence.

In terms of other changes, the SIA has moved training that’s critical for all sectors to the ‘common unit’ (which is taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on terror threat awareness and dealing with emergencies.

New sector-specific content has also been introduced. The close protection course includes new material on physical intervention, while the door supervision course encompasses new material on the use of equipment such as body-worn video cameras and breathalysers. Further, the Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law. For its part, the security guarding course harbours new material covering the key area of personal safety.

In addition, the SIA has increased the number of practical elements in the training in a determined bid to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include searching, dealing with conflict, report/statement writing and using communications devices.

Concerns over timing

“Recently, we’ve heard recent concerns from some parts of the industry about the timing of the changes, particularly so given the events of the last year,” observed Russell. “There will never be a good time to introduce changes. We have already proactively delayed implementation of the new requirements by a year. We announced the new dates for the changes last September to enable training providers and businesses to plan ahead.”

The public consultation process also raised concerns in some quarters that skills fade over time as the private security industry currently has no requirements for mandatory refresher training. “That will start to change from 1 October this year,” continued Russell, “with the introduction of top-up qualifications in safety-critical areas for operatives renewing their door supervisor or security officer licences. The top-up requirements will only affect existing licence holders when they come to renew their licence after this date. This means that these changes for existing licence holders will roll out over the course of the next three years.”

According to Russell, the SIA has “worked hard to mitigate the burden” by ensuring that the new training requirement is open to flexible delivery through a mixture of self-study, virtual classroom learning and face-to-face training. “We will also be providing added flexibility from 1 October to enable door supervision licence holders to instead renew to a security guarding licence if that’s what they prefer. This means that operatives will not be required to complete additional and unnecessary training. It also allows them to have a licence that better reflects how they’re deployed.”

Additional financial burden

In terms of costing around these changes, Russell asserted: “We do not control or set the costs of training, but we do recognise that this will be an additional financial burden. In April 2020, we reduced the licence fee for individual licences for all sectors from £210 to £190.”

Russell has stated that it’s “understandable” some sectors are concerned at their ability to mobilise security operatives quickly back to pre-COVID levels as the latest lockdown restrictions begin to ease. “Our records show that there are high numbers of people with existing licences and high numbers seeking to both join the industry as new applicants and to renew their licence. The total number of active SIA licences is currently at 434,437. The number of door supervisor licence holders in February 2021 stood at 282,193, which is an increase on the previous two years (ie 270,307 and 244,794 respectively). There’s also an increased number of door supervisor applications so far this year compared with the previous two years.”

In closing the SIA’s message to the industry, Russell commented: “The security industry plays a vital role in public protection. Well-trained, professional and reliable security is an essential part of any security business’ front line services to its customers. The new qualifications will help to ensure that this industry is recognised and valued as a profession. We’re working – and want to continue to work – in partnership with the industry to deliver the best security standards possible for the protection of the public.”

*Detailed information about the changes can be accessed on the SIA’s website:

Changes to the training required for an SIA licence

Changes to the SIA licence-linked training: questions answered