The SIA have announced changes to the training requirements for front line SIA licences. These new requirements will start in April and October 2021.  The changes include:

1st April 2021:

• updated qualifications will be introduced for all sectors except Close Protection;
• applicants will be required to have a first aid qualification before applying for a Door Supervisor or Security Guard licence.

1^st October 2021:

• Updated Close Protection qualifications will be introduced.
• Applicants will be required to have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before applying for a Door Supervisor and Security Guard licence – this includes renewals.

The SIA website states that the changes are required to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:

• keep the public safe
• follow new working practices
• understand recent changes to the law
• make the best use of new technology

New requirement: first aid training

Applicants for a close protection licence are already required to complete a first aid qualification before taking their licence-linked training.  This requirement will be extended to include applicants for a door supervisor or security guard licence from 1 April 2021.

The first aid training requirement will apply if:

• applicants applying for a licence for the first time
• it has been longer than 3 years since the applicant last held a licence for that activity

From 1 October 2021, the first aid requirement will also apply for licence renewals.

The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.   “Equivalent” qualifications are defined as those that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:

• First Aid at Work (FAW)
• First Person on Scene (FPOS)
• First Response Emergency Care (FREC)

New requirement: top-up training

From 1 October 2021, applicants must have one of the following before applying for a door supervisor or security guard licence:

• one of the new qualifications introduced on 1 April
• one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification

Other changes

More relevant course material

Training that is critical for all sectors has been moved to the ‘common unit’ (taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on:

• terror threat awareness
• dealing with emergencies

New sector-specific content has been added – for example:

• the close protection course includes new material on physical intervention
• the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video recorders and breathalysers
• the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
• the security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety

More practical assessments

The number of practical elements in the training has been increased to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:

• searching
• dealing with conflict
• report/statement writing
• using communications devices

Source: SIA/Gov.uk