Potential earnings
£35,271.38
Security guards and related occupations protect merchandise, individuals, hotels, offices, factories, shops, public grounds and private estates from injury, theft or damage.
Main tasks
- Greets and organises people attending court cases, ensures necessary parties are present, calls defendants and witnesses, directs oath taking and keeps order in the courtroom.
- Patrols airport, checks passengers baggage, operates metal detectors and x-rays and assists in responding to emergency situations.
- Watches for illegal fishing or attempted smuggling.
- Ejects persons in illegal occupation of premises.
- Calls in civil police and gives evidence in court where necessary.
- Receives duty sheet, time-clock and keys for premises to be visited, checks locks, doors, windows, etc. and reports any suspicious circumstances to security headquarters.
- Provides entry security, checks tickets, manages queues, takes entry fees, and escorts people from the premises where necessary in a variety of public venues such as nightclubs, pubs and bars.
- Checks persons and vehicles entering and leaving premises, establishes their credentials and arranges for escorts for visitors.
- Monitors, patrols and deals with security difficulties in hotels, factories, offices and other premises, and public or private estates to prevent theft and unauthorised entry.
- Walks or rides near person requiring protection, watches for suspicious occurrences and defends guarded person from attack.
Source: Office for National Statistics.
Salary and earnings
Average earnings
£25,118.00
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Skills & knowledge
The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
What course level do I need to study?
The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.
Educational requirements: Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C
Source: Office for National Statistics.
| Level of study | Percentage achieved |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | 6% |
| Level 1 | 13% |
| Level 2 | 23% |
| Level 3 | 26% |
| Level 4-5 (Higher Education) | 7% |
| Level 6 (Bachelors) | 21% |
| Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) | 3% |
| Level 8 (Doctorate) | 0% |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.
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Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
