The Security Industry Authority (SIA) and Lambeth College in South London are partners in a consortium addressing what they call the growing demand for female security personnel to work in private security.
Free SIA-approved training in door supervision or security guarding is being offered at Lambeth College to women interested in working in private security. The fully funded four-day courses lead to a national qualification in door supervision or security guarding and entitle the qualification holder to apply for an SIA door supervisor or guarding licence. The college will arrange networking events for access to security employers. Other partners in the project are Group 4 Securicor (UK Security) and SITO.
SIA chairman Peter Hermitage said: "Women are playing an ever important role in the private security industry, be it working at a busy pub or club as a door supervisor or in one of the many security guarding roles. In fact, women now make up 11 per cent of all door supervisors working in England and Wales. This free training offers women a stepping stone towards a career in an industry that is being transformed and professionalised."
Kevin Faulkner, Project Manager at Lambeth College said: "Employers regard women security personnel as essential especially in customer-facing roles such as security receptionist, events office or security supervisor. Women security personnel are employed across all sectors. They bring a distinct set of skills to the job and are valued for their customer service qualities and assertiveness."
The project is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund.
