How to find a job in the UK
This handy guide to working in the UK security sector is essential reading both for security rookies and seasoned managers, from the UK or from around the world. It covers the jobs, the requirements, the culture and what to do when you first arrive in the country.
Getting a job in the
Security is high on the
Introduction
The real James Bond not only works for MI6 but also for a drugs or cigarette manufacturer, putting his/her life at risk whilst investigating the sources of dangerous or contraband goods; the real Moneypenny does not sit there typing but is putting excellent linguistic skills to effective use when analyzing intelligence data.
Continuing the James Bond theme, Q, the fabled technohead, probably has a PhD in mathematics and is working on algorithms that will help CCTV users or software developers predict suspicious behaviour. The chief, identified by Ian Fleming as M, is probably the most closely identified character, who will work from their office, around the world, coordinating effort, supporting corporate decisions and working with business leaders throughout their territory.
The
A variety of careers in security
The in-house security team within every business – described above, is just one part of the industry. There is also an entire sector devoted to providing business-to business-security solutions. And security professionals can be involved in providing crime awareness advice, working to reduce vandalism on urban estates, monitoring behaviour on the streets or protecting buildings for clients who contract their services.
Another end of the profession is dedicated to selling, installing or manufacturing the latest digital security technologies.
How big is the security sector?
Official figures state that some 143,800 people were employed in the investigation and security-related industry in the
Other estimates put the figure at 500,000 people employed in the
Whereabouts in the
The UK Security Industry is very heavily concentrated in the southeast of
Here are the figures worked out by Paul Osborne from
People employed in security guard and related occupations (percentage of sector in brackets):
South East: 23,200 (16.1%)
North East: 3,800 (2.6%)
His security industry database was categorised into seven sub-sectors:
• Access Control
• Alarm Systems
• Biometrics
• CCTV
• Information Security
• Sensor Technology
• Systems.
The analysis shows a concentration of security sector organisations in the South East followed by
Who works in security?
The sector is truly diverse in its employment practices. Non-EU applicants seldom suffer from discrimination beyond the basic language issues. Equally, the sector is increasingly well represented by women at a senior level (figures range from between 7 per cent and 18 per cent of senior roles being held by women).
Working hours
The security industry as a whole is understood to involve long working hours. In 1993 it was calculated that security managers worked on average 50 hours per week. In 2007 the figure has reduced to 46.3 hours per week.
Front line staff are facing less pressure to work longer hours, thanks to legislation and companies competing with each other to be the bst employers. Trade unions (the GMB and UNITE are becoming more present in the security sector) point out that many employees choose to work more overtime for higher pay. The good news is there’s more choice now.
Benefits
Benefits offered to staff relate to the organisations ability to pay. Larger organisations tend to offer broader benefits but with lower basic remuneration whilst smaller firms compete with higher pay and less benefits.
Consequently, there’s a wide choice of employer and benefits packages for job-hunters.
Jobs available
In 2008 the
Professional body
The major industry professional body is the British Security Industry Association who claim that their members provide over 70 per cent of
Is there a job for you in the
Traditionally, security staff are in their second career, drawn from either ex-police or ex-armed forces, with little or no academic security background.
Does it matter what age you are?
Until recently, security departments were structured similarly to uniformed services, this method of operation being brought over from the services as cultural baggage. The knock on effect from this was that ‘security’ was perceived as being there to stop staff and act as policemen, rather than taking a proactive stance and delivering business benefits. An upside of this tradition is that middle age is not seen as a barrier – older people do begin a job in the security industry without prejudice.
Management roles and professional development
In recent decades, there has been a marked expansion in the field of security management with security now being viewed as a critical part of most organisations.
With the expansion of security into a major aspect of commercial business the role of the head of security is now viewed by corporate leaders as a management function that is subject to organisations’ quality and value for money drives.
According to research (Sennewald 2003 et al), to be a security professional the modern security manager must:
• be a leader
• have a broad profile with high visibility within their organisation
• be a contemporary professional and an innovator
• act as a counsellor, trainer and adviser
• and of course, are a goal setter and strategic planner.
In other words, you can't just be a policeman any more, security managers are expected to know management theory and apply it.
Career structure in management roles
This demand has lead to growing numbers of security managers being employed and in receipt of professional development and a career structure is slowly evolving.
The advent of a career structure is attractive to those starting out in their careers (rather than embarking on second careers) or for those using the security function as a stepping stone to other corporate roles.
Management salaries
With a career structure that is relatively broad and still becoming established, salary bands currently range from security supervisors c£18,000 to corporate heads c£125,000.
A recent survey of security managers (Seevaratnam 2007) identified the most sought after traits in managers (in order):
• personal integrity
• general security competence
• ability to persuade others
• understanding of employers business.
Technical jobs
Technical security roles do not attract the same kinds of pay rises found in many engineering sectors and the industry now recognises the adverse impact that low wages are having on attracting good staff.
A few of the larger alarm installation firms are restarting apprenticeship schemes (with bonuses and a professional development regimes) designed to attract new recruits into the profession.
Finding work in the
Access to work is relatively simple in the
Indirect applications means applying for advertised jobs or though through recruitment firms.
Direct applications are those through networking or professional organisations such as the Guild of Security professionals.
Criminal records and screening
Despite published statements saying ex-cons have equality of opportunity, applicants with criminal convictions (spent or not) are not treated equally and those without a conviction are seen as being more attractive to employers.
The industry carries our routine screening of all applicants, throughout their career and for some roles this includes screening for drugs and alcohol.
Who needs a licence and how to get one
Many front line staff, such as security guards working for contract firms, CCTV operatives and their supervisors or managers, require an SIA licence. The SIA is slowly rolling out a programme that will widen the scope for people who require a licence.
Academic requirements
Lack of academic qualifications has not traditionally been seen as a barrier to entry, with skill and attributes being the primary criteria. More recent developments indicate that employers are looking for applicants with an ability and desire to qualify at an appropriate level (and the introduction of licensing has set a very minimum standard for some front line staff).
This has led to a burgeoning of qualifications from NVQs to highly specialised Doctorates, all of which are available through further or higher education (with funding often available through the employers).
Moving to the
Nationals of the EU or the EEA are generally free to take up residence in the
New immigration rules
Under the new
• highly skilled individuals
• skilled workers with a job offer
• low skilled workers to fill specific temporary labour shortages
• students
• youth mobility and temporary workers.
The detailed requirement for these is being drawn up at the time of writing and will be published by The Borders and Immigration Agency. In the meantime the old system remains in part and obsolete in others, so checking the BIA web site is essential. If you don’t have the necessary paperwork, be prepared for a long wait at your point of entry!
Non-EU nationals
For those non-EU nationals entering the
At the point of entry, immigration officers have to power to require any immigrant to undertake further health screening. In practice, this is normally only used for people looking to stay over six months (who may be required to provide evidence that they are free of tuberculosis) and may have to undergo more health screening, if the entry officer suspects the presence of an infectious condition.
Paperwork
Employers in the
Finding somewhere to live
Whilst
Many estate agents provide a free letting service for people looking for somewhere to live and the larger chains provide access to networks of agents through the
Cost of living in the
The cost of living in the
After a good meal, it is normal to tip 10 per cent (many restaurant staff only earn if you tip) but bar staff and shop keepers do not expect anything.
Anyone who lives near a major town and has a basic (entry level 2) grasp of English can access a plethora of home delivery services which include everything from shopping, fast food and even televisions. Those living outside of the major centres have a more sedentary life and expect to wait or travel further for luxuries.
Health service
The UK National Health Services is highly regulated but provides a free service at hospitals for all emergencies (although a post-incident charging system exists for people unable to prove they are eligible EU nationals and for some incidents that involve insurance claims). There are a number of excellent private hospitals, GP and dental practices scattered across the major cities in the
Crime in the
Reading any newspaper or sitting in the pubs and bars you would think that
Communication
Much of the
You will find queuing is a national past time that smooths the way the
There is no written constitution in the
1. Unlike many continental European states, the
2. The
3. The
The big players in the
There are somewhere between between 10,000 and 18,000 professional security managers. These can be found in almost all of the FTSE 500 organisations, local government, hospitals and many of the larger charities. In each, the security function is different and the size of the team can vary enormously too.
Some of these professionals are autonomous (reporting to the CEO or Board) wheras others report to other departments (such as finance or facilities). The size and remit of the role will almost certainly be dictated by the nature of the operations conducted (the needs of a manufacturing site will differ from those of a bank or heritage building), the number of people involved (employees, or on-line customers), the point of contact or transaction (one office or many branches throughout regions). But you’ll find a security manager almost everywhere.
Guarding sector
The four big firms are:
• G4S (£360M turnover)
• MITIE (£250m)
• Reliance (£250m)
• Chubb (£210m).
Other companies, like Interserve have large portfolios of security services (c £70m on guarding) and OCS whose turnover is c£674m (of which some £80m is derived from protective services). These and others provide contracted solutions into other sectors (which means increased opportunities to develop varied careers).
Technical firms
A major restructuring and merger period has resulted in a good deal of consolidation amongst the manufacturers and distributors of CCTV and other security systems. The largest employer in the electronic security industry is arguably ADT (an international conglomeration that, at the time of writing, is downsizing their management structure) and the technology giant Siemens. Other major employers, Chubb and Reliance Hi-Tech appear to be focusing on key areas rather than restructuring.
