Transferable Skills: What can I bring to Security?

The industry regulator, the Security Industry Authority, requires all new Security Officers in the UK to have undertaken specialist mandatory training before they can be issued a license that allows them to work. This training takes about a week to complete and equips you with the basic knowledge you will need to do the job safely, efficiently and legally. People entering security from a range of other roles and industries can however bring with them skills, experience, and knowledge that can very much enhance their work.

Here I want to take a look at what you may bring with you to the security industry, and look at the roles that may best suit your skills.

Military or Police Experience

Coming from these backgrounds you will automatically understand the importance of protecting people and property. Your discipline and professionalism will be greatly valued in many roles. The observation skills and report writing abilities of an ex-Police Officer would be highly valued in CCTV or Control Centre operations. Ex Forces and Police tend to have rapid problem-solving skills and the ability to think and assess situations fast. This is incredibly useful in Alarm Response and Mobile Security roles when you may be working alone and may face a variety of challenging situations. Your ability to empathise and deal with conflict is also useful in all manner of Door Supervisory and Event Security roles.

Your self-discipline, reliability and team spirit will make you hugely popular in large security teams where being their to support a colleague, being on time to relieve the previous shift, and taking ownership of problems, are critical for success.

Retail environments, catering & hospitality, call centres, and reception jobs

There are many security roles where you will be public facing and will have to interact with people with a wide variety of needs and expectations. Your customer service skills, complaint handling experience, and ability to effectively communicate with a diverse array of people are invaluable. From security receptionist in offices, concierge at residential developments, or street wardens, knowing how to talk to people and resolve their problems will be hugely helpful. Empathy, a thick skin, and the ability to keep a cool and calm demeanour, will make your working life much easier.

Logistics, delivery driving and warehouse work

How can any of these jobs be useful in the security industry I hear you ask? In all of the above situations you may spend a lot of time working alone. You may have targets to meet or deadlines to hit. The planning and ability to get the job done successfully with minimum supervision, can be ever so helpful in many sectors of the security industry. Effective time management should equip you to achieve success in security roles where you will be working alone and/or under pressure. Mobile security, where planning your work, whilst varying your work pattern as much as possible, is an obvious match for your experience, as would be any guarding assignments where a set minimum number of patrols are required, and certain tasks need to be completed every shift.

Nursing, health care or social work environments

Firstly, advanced medical training, far and above the mandatory SIA First Aid at Work qualification, is in big and increasing demand at high profile venues, sports arenas, landmark sites or other important assignments. With the imminent introduction of Martyn’s Law, and the new responsibilities of management to consider and implement counter terrorism policies at these type of venues, security personnel with advanced trauma training are a valuable asset.

The instinct to help and protect others is also a fundamentally important characteristic of effective security officers, so these motivations will serve you well, and give you a better understanding of the importance of “Security” in every environment.

One of the central objectives of security is the protection of people. By dealing with potential Health & Safety issues, deterring or detecting criminality or those with hostile or terrorist intent, you will continue to care about the safety and wellbeing of others, just from a new perspective.

Construction & trades

Even the most skilled in this sector can fall victim to falls in demand due to seasonal or economic factors, and find themselves looking for alternative employment. The wealth of knowledge and skills obtained over the years will make learning Health & Safety, criminal law, SIA guidance, and other useful information, a breeze.

Security at construction sites may be an obvious fit for those with building sector experience as familiarity with the environment and Health & Safety challenges are useful, but mobile security and vacant property inspections would massively benefit from the expert eyes of someone that can spot and assess damage and identify potential problems, and convey the easiest ways to reduce loss and circumvent issues, to clients. This kind of “value added” ability from a security officer will make them immensely popular with their employers!

Summary

Most people, from most employment backgrounds, have something that will enhance their performance in one or more sectors of the security industry. A good idea is to have a chat with the training provider at your SIA course, and discuss with them, the best direction to take as you enter the industry. Get Licensed also have a wealth of videos and interviews with workers from different sectors, that may help you decide what you’d like to do. Visit: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/get-daily/ to look at the FREE video resources and blogs available.