SECURITY GUARD HOW TO BECOME A - YOUR 2019 DEFINITIVE GUIDE

HOW TO BECOME A

SECURITY
GUARD

YOUR 2019
DEFINITIVE
GUIDE

AN EBOOK BY INTERNATIONAL SECURITY TRAINING ACADEMY

HOW TO BECOME A

SECURITY
GUARD
YOUR 2018 DEFINITIVE GUIDE

HOW TO BECOME A SECURITY GUARD - Your 2018 DEFINITIVE GUIDE
Copyright     2018 by International Security Training Academy Pty Ltd
All rights reserved.

The information contained within this eBook is general in nature and does not
take your individual circumstances into consideration.

For more information contact:

ISTA Head Office
Level 1/280 King Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
https://ista.com.au
info@ista.com.au
P: 1300 134 782

RTO: 3877 ABN: 65 007 158 885
NSW Master Licence Number: 407 662 786
Private Security Business Licence: 461-480-10S

INTRODUCTION
The Private Security sector is one of today’s major growth industries, with
National security industry employment in Australia having grown by 29 per
cent, or 14,000 jobs, in the past five years to peak at 62,500 workers this year,
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show.

With an increase in reported crime rates over the past five years and as the
threats to our society increase in complexity, cautious businesses and
households continue to invest in security services and crime-prevention
measures and it is expected that the Investigations and Security Services
industry will continue this growth over the next five years.

If you’ve ever been curious about working in the Security sector, or you’re just
looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you’ve come to the right place.
This step-by-step guide outlines all you need to know about getting qualified,
licenced and employed to work in this rewarding industry, and while the
demand for qualified security officers is higher than ever before, now is the
perfect time to start your journey.

STEP 1.
FIND THE RIGHT
TRAINING PROVIDER
Choosing the right Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is crucial to your
success in the industry. A good training provider will be well-regarded in the
industry and deliver the most up-to-date, best-practice training, in line with
regulatory bodies like Victoria Police and the Australian Skills Quality Authority
(ASQA).

A good security training provider should be a specialist in the field, with plenty
of relevant experience, not only in training, but in the industries they train for.
You wouldn't want to get security training from an organisation that specialises
in hospitality, would you?

When evaluating providers for your security training, a little research goes a
                      training.gov.au and your State's licencing authority, like
long way. A visit to training.gov.au
Vicpol'sLRD
VicPol's LRD will help you quickly determine whether a particular provider is
properly registered to deliver and award your chosen qualification.

Remember, don't be too shy to ask plenty of questions and make sure you are
well-informed and 100% satisfied before you go ahead and enrol in a course.
Some key points to consider while assessing a training provider:

  Make sure the provider is REGISTERED and APPROVED to deliver the qualification you seek

  Go through Social Media to see the REVIEWS and FEEDBACK left by past students.

  Find out more about your trainers and go through their CREDENTIALS and profiles.

  Enquire about JOB SUPPORT programs upon course completion.

  Does the provider offer GOVERNMENT FUNDING, concessions or payment plans?

International Security Training Academy has delivered specialist training solutions to the
security sector for more than 30 years. ISTA is 100% endorsed by Victoria Police for
licencing as well as all the relevant governing bodies, such as ASQA.
                                                                ASQA

STEP 2.
COMPLETE AN ENTRY
LEVEL QUALIFICATION
Although there are many types of Security Training courses available, your
starting point will be an entry-level qualification. In Victoria, this is the
nationally accredited CPP20212 Certificate II in Security Operations, which is
mandatory for getting your private security licence and working in the industry.

This course is designed to get you started in the security industry, focusing on
entry-level competencies including first aid, defensive tactics, security report
writing and much more.

At ISTA, this training is delivered over 17 days of full-time training, with
weekend and part-time options also offered for convenience.

Even though this is an entry-level qualification, the career opportunities
associated with this qualification are broad and varied. Some of the types of
security jobs you might be eligible for include working at:

         Concerts and Sporting events
         Pubs and Clubs
         Shopping Centres
         Museums and Galleries
         Law Courts and Government Buildings
         Educational Institutions
         Corporate Offices
         Hospitals and many more!

Whether its a full-time career path you're looking for, or just some extra part-
time or casual work on the side, the CPP20212 Certificate II in Security
Operations is your ticket to a job that is not only rewarding but also offers
great earning potential too. For more info on security industry award wages,
check out the Fairwork Pay Guide.

With a successfully completed CPP20212 Certificate II in Security Operations
under you're belt, you're now ready to apply for your Private Security Licence.
If you're looking towards security as a career pathway however, you should
consider upskilling your qualification to a specialist stream.

                                    At ISTA we run a CPP20212
                                    Certificate II in Security
                                    Operations every 2 weeks in
                                    Melbourne and Dandenong

             BONUS                  so you're never too far from
                                    our next intake. Book your
               TIP:                 enrolment now!

STEP 3.
UPGRADE & UPSKILL
WITH ADDITIONAL
QUALIFICATIONS
With over 30,000 licenced security guards working in the State of Victoria
alone, one sure way to set yourself apart from the crowd is to upskill with
additional qualifications. Naturally, employers tend to prefer guards who have
more than the minimum, entry-level qualification, as they are more versatile,
more skilled and can handle a broader array of responsibility on the job.

With the CPP20212 already under your belt, you have several options for
upgrading your basic qualification to work in more advanced areas of security,
such as:

        Control Room Monitoring
        Screening Officer at Airports, Law Courts and Government Buildings
        Armed Security Guard
        Cash-in-Transit Officer
        Bodyguard or Close Personal Protection Officer

At the Certificate II Level, you can undertake elective units to work in Control
Room Monitoring or Screening. At ISTA, we offer the Control Room Monitoring
units as part of the CPP20212 Certificate II in Security Operations, for funded
students so be sure to ask us about this option upon enrolment.

To upgrade your qualifications and licence to work in the more advanced areas
of security, you will need to complete the CPP30411 Certificate III in Security
Operations with electives in the stream of your choice. This qualification
prepares students for a supervisory or leadership role, where very high
standards of safety, protocol and compliance are required.

At ISTA, the our CPP30411 Certificate III in Security Operations is offered with
the electives of Armed Guard/Cash-in-Transit & Bodyguard, equipping students
with the specialist skills to work in these highly sought-after roles. You can find
out more about the exciting jobs associated with the CPP30411 Certificate III in
Security Operations here.

For those wanting to move toward a security management role, or wanting to
start their own security services business, you will need to undertake the
CPP40707 Certificate IV in Security & Risk Management. This course not only
provides students with the skills to assess, mitigate and manage business risks,
it also meets VicPol LRD's training requirements for a Security Business Licence
application.

                            Industry reports suggest that among
                            the major areas of growth in the
                            Security industry over the next few
                            years will be electronic surveillance

      BONUS
                            and monitoring and cash-in-transit
                            services. Take advantage of these great

        TIP:                opportunities now and get qualified
                            with the specialist skills to work in
                            these areas!

STEP 4.
APPLY FOR YOUR
SECURITY LICENCE
Once your training has been successfully completed and the qualification has
been awarded to you, you will then be ready to apply for your Security Licence.

The process of Security licencing in Australia varies from state to state, with
each state's regulators and governing bodies having their own specific rules
and requirements. In Victoria, it is Victoria Police's Licencing & Regulation
Division who administer Private Security Licences. For a list of all other
Australian State regulators, please refer to Licencing Contacts on the ASIAL
website

Victorian Private Security Licence applications are completed online (as of July
2017) via Victoria Police's eServices Portal. and can take up to 6 weeks to
process during busy times.

For new Private Security Licence applications and Business Licence
applications, you must provide a National Police Records Check and Fingerprint
records search. For information about the process, locations and cost of
obtaining a National Police Records Check and taking your fingerprints
visit www.police.vic.gov.au/policecheck.

To be eligible for a Private Security Licence in Victoria, you must:

   be at least 18 years of age.
   be a Resident of Australia or hold a current Visa with relevant work rights.
   be subject to a National Police Records and Fingerprint check (and If you
   have lived overseas for more than 12 months within the last 10 years, you
   must also provide a copy of your International Police check).
   not be a Prohibited Person.
   be a fit and proper person, ie: not having any medical condition or police
   history that would hinder your employment within the industry.
   Demonstrate competency for working in the security industry by way of
   completing training relevant to the private security activity/activities you
   wish to be licensed for with a training organisation approved by the
   Licensing and Regulation Division
   Provide 2 written references outlining your suitability for employment
   within the private security industry.

To make the application process a little easier, we suggest you also prepare:

   A secure email address for activating your eServices Account and
   receiving notifications about your application.
   Personal information including the details of your ID documents.
   Details of relevant training and your Statement of Results
   Access to a printer, to print off the completed application for
   submission

For more information on Victorian licencing, refer to our quick guide here.

If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to contact our friendly staff for advice.
Our team have extensive knowledge on the industry and can answer any question you
may have.

STEP 5.
GET YOUR FIRST JOB IN
THE SECURITY INDUSTRY
The security industry operates 24/7 and with this, the career opportunities are
abundant, even at the entry-level.

A good resume and cover letter outlining all your relevant skills is absolutely
essential. In addition to the skills you have developed throughout your
security training, your resume should also highlight the other qualities a
security employer may be looking for, such as:

  Whether you have a valid drivers licence and own vehicle.
  Computer literacy skills.
  Customer service skills or experience.
  Your availability (Employers will prefer guards who are flexible)
  Do you have an RSG, White Card, Working with Children Card or other?

Whether its an for entry-level role or a more senior position, the personal
qualities that employers in the security industry are generally looking for in
their guards are:

  Alert with a strong awareness of their surroundings
  Mature-minded, good work ethic and a professional attitude
  initiative and drive
  Outstanding interpersonal skills and customer service skills
  Good presentation (particularly in customer-facing roles)
  Good level of fitness (particularly where extended periods of
  walking/standing are involved)

When preparing for a job interview, always remember to do your homework.
Visit the company's website and social media pages to get a bit more familiar
with their history and current happenings. You might even chat to existing staff
Showing an employer that you took the time to do some research demonstrates
diligence and initiative and reflects

According to the Australian Government's Job Outlook website:

  Full-time Security Officers earn an average of $1177 per week
  Over 70% of the work available in the industry is Full Time
  The work is in all regions of Australia across a range of
  different sectors
  There are likely to be 36,000 new job openings in the
  industry between now and 2022!

                            A little bit of networking can go a long
                            way in the security industry so be sure

      BONUS
                            to actively keep in touch with your
                            trainers and classmates - you never

        TIP:                know where that next great job
                            opportunity might come from!

SO WHAT ARE YOU
WAITING FOR?
International Security Training Academy is a leading provider of training
solutions to the Security, Investigations and Public Safety sectors, offering a
full range of nationally accredited certificate courses and professional
development opportunities to the sector.

If you're ready to start your journey into this exciting industry, contact ISTA
to discuss your options. Our team has extensive experience across the
industry and can advise you on how to hit the ground running and help you
maximise your chance of success.

For more info of the courses we offer, follow the links below:

CPP20212 Certificate II in Security Operations
Unarmed Guard & Crowd Controller
Control Room Operator

CPP30411 Certificate III in Security Operations
Armed Guard & Cash-in-Transit
Bodyguard

CPP30607 Certificate III in Investigative Services

CPP40707 Certificate IV in Security & Risk Management

For enrolments and more info

CALL 1300 134 782
OR VISIT ISTA.COM.AU