If you or someone in your family are thinking of finding a new professional direction in the new year, this might be your opportunity. The government-funded level 2 professional security operative apprenticeship is now open and ready to take on new talent.
The government has approved the apprenticeship in August 2023 as a route for those wanting to join the private security industry and for those already in employment who wish to progress. The apprenticeship will provide individuals with the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to work in the sector. It will also create new job opportunities and help address the industry’s chronic skills shortage.
After three years of hard work by employers, the Private Security Industry Trailblazer Group and stakeholders across the industry, supported by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the initiative is finally approved. The apprenticeship will provide funded opportunities for professional training in core security skills and allow employees to choose a specialism:
- Operational Security Operative
- Cash and Valuables in Transit
- Mobile Security Patrol
- Security Control Room Operative
Mark Williams, Security Operations Manager, Parliamentary Security Department, and Chair of the Trailblazer Group responsible for developing the apprenticeship, said, “I am really pleased that the hard work of employers and others has paid off. This is a major step forward for the industry. This apprenticeship will address some of our workforce issues by helping attract new talent and retain and develop existing staff. I am extremely proud of the group’s hard work, tenacity and collaboration to achieve this step forward to help professionalise the industry.”
SIA Chair, Heather Baily QPM, commented, “We are really pleased to have supported the group to achieve this outcome. It is another great example of the progress that can be made when the industry collaborates on skills issues with our support and hopefully a further step to make the private security industry a career of choice.”
Apprenticeship levy payers in England – employers in the private or public sector with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million – will, for the first time, be able to use their levy to pay for high-quality training for their private security operatives.
How to hire an apprentice
Employing an apprentice is easier than you think and there’s financial support and help available from the government.
To find out more about offering apprenticeships, click on the button below to visit the government’s website: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers#
