The Security Industry Act 2001 (security licensing law) has made it compulsory for all those who work in the security industry to undergo training and possess a valid SIA licence. To get an SIA licence a candidate will have to show that they have successfully completed one or more of these courses.

From 1st April 2021 new regulations came in to effect that saw the number of hours for each unit increase. There are still 3 – 4 units to the courses required by the SIA. Each training course (competency requirement) has now been updated by the SIA. For example, anyone undergoing a training course for Security Officers will now complete a 3 unit course. To become a Security Officer one must have completed the following units:

• Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry
• Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry
• Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry

Pre-requisites

Identification

In line with the Security Industry Authority’s documentation requirements, approved Highfield centres may accept the following forms of identification:

one identity document from the Group A list and two documents from the Group B list.

• At least one document must show the learner’s current address.
• At least one document must show their date of Birth.

Group A Documents 

• a passport that is signed, current, and valid
• a driving licence photocard issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK
• a driving licence photocard and its paper counterpart issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (OVA) in Northern Ireland
• a UK original birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
• a UK biometric residence permit card

Group B Documents 

Documents that confirm your identity and your address unless stated otherwise, 2 forms of the same type of document will not be accepted. For example, we will not accept 2 council tax statements. We will only accept 1 council tax statement and 1 document of a different type.

• a bank or building society statement from the last 3 months (we will accept 2 statements, but only if they are from different banks or building societies)
• a utility bill (for example: gas, electric, telephone, water, satellite TV or cable1V) from the last 3 months
• a credit card statement from the last 3 months (we will accept 2 statements, but only if they are from different credit-card providers)
• a council tax statement from the last 12 months a mortgage statement from the last 12 months
• a letter from the last 3 months from any of the following:
• HM Revenue and Customs
• the Department of Work and Pensions
• a Jobcentre Plus – or any other employment service a local authority
• a P45 or P60 tax statement from the last 12 months
• a paper version of a current UK driving licence
• (not the paper counterpart to a photocard)
• a driving licence photocard issued by the OVA in Northern Ireland (not the paper counterpart)
• a pension, endowment or ISA statement from the last 12 months a valid UK firearms licence with photo

English Functionality

All Learners wishing to undertake a S.I.A License linked qualification should, as a minimum, have language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening equivalent to the following:

• A B2 Level qualification on the Home Office’s list of recognised English tests and qualifications.
• A B2 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• An ESOL qualification at (Level 1) on the Ofqual register taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• An ESOL qualification at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 5 awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Accreditation and taken in Scotland.
• Functional Skills Level 1 in English.
• SQA Core Skills in Communication at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 5.

This will be requested on booking, if you do not already hold one of the above or equivalent you will be required to obtain this prior to booking. 

First Aid 

All learners wishing to attend must hold a valid First Aid certificate which has a minimum of 12 months before expiry left, qualifications that are accepted are

• Emergency First Aid 
• First Aid at Work 
• First Person on Scene (FPOS)

Please be advised that e-Learning qualifications will NOT be accepted, if you do not already hold First Aid certification we can arrange this for you prior to the Security course taking place.