 You may be looking for the right job in todays market. And seeing a lot of different job posting for this position or that position. It might be time for you to stop looking for a job and start looking for a career. Have you ever considered pursuing a career as a security guard?
The security industry has proven itself to be a sound choice. The demand for certified guards is on the upswing. This is due to a few factors. One, our cities and business centers are growing. The need for individuals to fill positions is on the rise. Businesses are looking for people trained to protect others and property. The simple presence of a security guard can deter individuals, looking to cause upset or disruption. Another reason the demand has increased recently is due to the pandemic we are all in right now. There has been an increase in positions to cover monitoring environments to ensure health safety regulations and rules are being upheld. The demand on the industry may continue for some time into the future. This is a good time to consider becoming part of that industry. And you can be proud of the choice, as it is truly serving the public and protecting them. If you are interested in this career, the first thing you should do is check to see what the requirements are in your province. Each province will have their own regulations about education and certification. For Alberta, specifically, you need to be 18 years of age and speak fluent English. You should also have a clean criminal record. And, in addition, you may need a clean drivers abstract – if the position you apply to requires you to drive a vehicle to patrol a specific area. Proper education is required to operate as a security guard. You will need to complete a basic security guard training program (in Alberta this is called Alberta Basic Security Training). You can find accredited training programs that are offering in class sessions or online sessions. The course is a 40 hour module training that covers off all aspects of the security industry, as well as CPR and First Aid training. Check your local listing online for companies offering this training and what their class commencement dates are. The fees may vary between training companies and will most often be payable upon the first day of classes. This basic training will prepare you to advance so that you can write the provincial licensing exam. Once you completed the basic training, you will be given a training completion number. This number will allow you to register to write the final licensing exam. You will be given 3 attempts to successfully pass the licensing exam. But do not worry too much about that. The basic training course will provide preparation for this exam as part of their curriculum, to ensure you are prepared to take it. Once you have successfully passed this, you can apply for your license in the province or territory you live in. And once you receive the license in the mail, you are all set to start applying for security guard positions. A Security Guard career may not be suited for everyone. You have to take a personal assessment of some of your strengths and qualities. Are you law abiding by nature? You will have to be so as to act accordingly per your license. Are you able to handle stress? While you may see days without any incidents, you may encounter the day when you will have to put aside all stress and be a first responder to something on your shift. Are you dedicated to serving the public and others? You may be the first person people contact because of the uniform you are wearing. They may be looking for directions, assistance, or protection. You need to be committed to serving them the best that you can. Can you communicate clearly? You are going to need to give instructions to others so that details are clear. You will also need to write down information in a clear manner, so that others will be able to understand. You are going to need to be able to promote an image of trust and confidence for those around you. You will be called upon and will need to respond in a way that will provide others a sense of security. Many businesses will use a Security Company to handle their personnel requirements. You may find some positions that are advertised by independent business owners. But the majority of job posting you will find with specific Security Service Providers. They hire security guards and dispatch them to specific locations for their clients. There are lots of areas to advance within these Security Companies. Entry positions will most often be security guards. But you can work your way upward to Lead Team positions, Area Supervisors, Divisional Management, and right up to Executive positions. Or if you have an entrepreneur spirit, you could eventually start your own Security Services Company! But the first step on this career path is to get your training done. If you are interested in this, it’s time for you to go out and find a security guard training class and register! A bright future may be waiting for you. You just have to start! Comments are closed.
|