Press release

SIA launches consultation on top-up training for door supervisors and security guards

The SIA is changing the qualifications needed for an SIA licence. This follows a review of the licence-linked qualifications.

SIA logo

The SIA is changing the qualifications needed for an SIA licence. This follows a review of the licence-linked qualifications.

Today (Wednesday, 02 September 2020) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is launching a public consultation on top-up training for SIA-licensed door supervisors and security guards.

The top-up training for door supervisors and security guards will include key elements of the new content that the SIA is introducing to licence-linked qualifications in April 2021.

The SIA has developed top-up training to make sure current Door Supervisor and Security Guarding licence holders have the same basic skills and knowledge as new entrants achieving the updated qualifications.

From October 2021, door supervisors and security guards will need to complete top-up training before they renew their licence.

The SIA is inviting stakeholders, to have their say and to take part in the consultation which you can find here. The consultation will continue until 25 September 2020.

Tony Holyland, Head of Quality and Standards for the SIA, says

The new licence-linked qualifications will better equip operatives to work in the private security industry. They reflect what we have learned from extensive industry consultation and engagement.

By introducing this top-up training we will be bringing the skills of existing licence holders up to date.

Our aim is to improve the basic skills, knowledge, and understanding of security operatives so that they can do their jobs more effectively. This will help to improve community safety and to protect the public in the UK.

A key element of our role as the regulator is to work with the industry to raise standards in private security. The new requirements will help achieve this.

The SIA is including the following in top-up training:

Door Supervisors

  • An Emergency First aid At Work qualification (required to take top-up training)
  • Use of equipment
  • Updated terror threat awareness
  • Physical intervention skills training (knowledge and practical)

Security Guards:

  • An Emergency First aid At Work qualification (required to take top-up training)
  • Knowledge of physical intervention
  • Updated terror threat awareness

Editor’s Notes:

The SIA announced its Skills and Qualifications Review in September 2018. The announcement is available here.

The initial consultation into the licence-linked qualifications was launched in September 2018. The news release is available here.

The second consultation into the licence-linked qualifications was announced in January 2019. The news release is available here.

The announcement on when the new qualifications will be available is here.

The legacy, licence-linked qualifications are available on our website.

Published 2 September 2020