Towards the end of 2020, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) announced changes relating to how to obtain an SIA License and the required training. The introduction of new license-linked qualifications are imminent and will become mandatory in order for security professionals to retain or obtain an SIA license.
Whether you are currently a security professional or aspiring to enter the industry, W4G Fire & Security is here to update you on the latest alterations to SIA licensing. In this article, we look at exactly what has changed in terms of the training and why these changes have been deemed necessary by SIA.
At W4G Fire & Security, all of our security guards hold SIA licenses whilst other personnel within the company have also obtained an SIA license. It is important to note that, from October 2021, those who already hold an SIA license will have to commit to top up training before being able to renew their license. This will include further first aid training and ensuring the Emergency First Aid at Work qualification is updated, among license-linked training procedures.
Needless to say, those that are yet to obtain an SIA license will have to go through the newly implemented training criteria before being awarded the qualification. We have made all of our security guard and related personnel aware of the pending changes and will ensure that the first aid course and top up training is completed, so that we can continue to deliver the highest level of UK security services to both companies and individuals.
The changes to obtaining or renewing an SIA license are as follows:
In terms of the first aid qualification, SIA has stated that it must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent. The equivalent qualifications are as follows:
If you are applying for your SIA license for the first time or it has been more than 3 years since you held an SIA license, you will have to take the first aid training. After that first aid training is complete, you will then move onto the license-linked training. In addition, those that currently have an SIA license will be required to take the first aid training upon renewing their license from October 2021, before going onto complete their top-up training.
Below are some of the topics that will be covered in the license-linked qualification training and the top-up training:
These changes have been deemed necessary by SIA as they aim to make sure personnel in the security industry can keep the public safe by following these new practices. The new training and qualification criteria has also been introduced to help security professionals understand new changes to the law, which will be mentioned throughout the license-linked or top up training sessions. Another reason as to why these changes are coming into effect is to ensure that personnel can make the best use of the very latest technologies.
If you have any questions about the changes to the SIA license criteria, whether you are a current employee of ours, a security professional working elsewhere in the security sector or a soon-to-be security professional, contact our helpful team today. We are here to help and see that you are able to achieve your SIA license under the new guidelines.
