The security industry within the UK needs to recruit and train over 62,000 new security officers within the next year to satisfy the increasing demand for the service. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has stated that this considerable number of new officers is required to ensure public safety.
To keep up with the demand, the BSIA has created a national drive, known as ‘People, Property, Places: Professionally Protected’, to help to raise awareness of the truly essential work that security personnel carry out on a daily basis. It also helps to emphasise that working within the professional security arena can provide you with many opportunities and benefits and is open to individuals from any background.
The research that has been carried out by BSIA member organisation suggests that the UK's private security industry needs to increase the numbers of licensed security offers by over 62,000, so that it reaches 450,000 in the next 12 months, so that it can achieve the necessary numbers.
Equally and perhaps even concerningly, the security arena, also expects to lose nearly 20,000 officers due to issues like retirement and those leaving because of Brexit.
Since 2017 and the Manchester Arena bombing, interest in using private security services has gone up. It is likely that as of 2023, new legislation will come into place that makes it a legal requirement for businesses to provide reasonable security measures.
The CEO of BSIA has stated that:
“The private security industry faces unprecedented demand for highly trained and licensed security officers, with businesses and event organisers recognising they need to purchase security services based on risk and professionalism rather than cost. Security is more than a hi-vis vest. Solution buyers are now more willing to invest in quality service provision to achieve a safer and more secure environment.”
He added that:
“The stereotypical image of a security officer working in a low-paid, low-skilled job doesn’t match with the image of those working in today’s modern profession. As stated, there’s a lot more to the job than wearing a hi-vis vest.”
If you would like to know more about working in security and what jobs are available, visit our Career’s page. There are a wide range of jobs available, needing a variety of skills and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer and have some great roles available for the right people.
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