January 10: that’s the day the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will start to take for licence application pack requests for guards, the latest sector to be licensed in England and Wales.
The SIA has given a date of March 20, 2006, when it will be a legal requirement for those working in the four new licensable security sectors to hold an SIA licence. The four new licensable security sectors are contract security guarding; cash and valuables in transit; CCTV public space surveillance; and close protection.
Security guarding and CIT can apply for applications packs from January 10, while CCTV operators can do so from June 27, and close protection people from September 1. The SIA says that spreading the licensing process will ensure businesses continue to run smoothly while employees go through the licensing process. The SIA reports it will also introduce a system for businesses to request application forms on behalf of their employees and to return them to the SIA in bulk.
To gain an SIA licence, applicants will need to attend an approved training course, attain a nationally recognised qualification and undergo identity and criminal records checks. Anyone involved in licensable sectors and who works under contract will need to be licensed. This includes employees, managers, supervisors and directors of security companies. Licensing does not extend to those who are employed in-house. The SIA does add that introduction of licensing dates may be subject to change. A guide to the limited bulk application process can be requested from [email protected] Details will also be posted on the SIA website
