With the private security sector steadily advancing, the standards for keeping your SIA licence valid are changing as well. As per the recent update, the SIA has introduced a brand-new rule: from 2025 onwards, a compulsory refresher training course will be required for all security staff who are willing to renew their Door Supervisor and Security Guard licence.
The goal of the new requirement is to make sure that each security professional is well-prepared to meet modern security challenges.
No matter your level of experience, adapting to these new changes is important for your career growth.
In this article, we will explore what the new measure includes, the reasons behind it, as well as the steps you need to take to comply with it.
The goal of the new requirement is to make sure that each security professional is well-prepared to meet modern security challenges.
No matter your level of experience, adapting to these new changes is important for your career growth.
In this article, we will explore what the new measure includes, the reasons behind it, as well as the steps you need to take to comply with it.
The Importance of SIA Refresher Training
The security industry is in constant motion.
Given that security threats constantly change, the skills that are demanded from those who handle these threats are also evolving. To address this issue, the SIA has made the refresher training compulsory for Door Supervisor and Security Guard licence renewals from April 1, 2025.
A key objective of the new measure involves combating “skills fade”, a natural process involving the decline in proficiency over time, which is relevant even for the most competent staff members.
From effective search procedures to physical intervention and emergency first aid, the new refresher training makes sure that each security professional is equipped with the skills and abilities for today’s risks.
Additionally, security staff must also be prepared for modern public security challenges. Thus, the curriculum of training integrates threat detection and counter-terrorism measures, ensuring that security personnel are aware of the modern-day threats.
Given that security threats constantly change, the skills that are demanded from those who handle these threats are also evolving. To address this issue, the SIA has made the refresher training compulsory for Door Supervisor and Security Guard licence renewals from April 1, 2025.
A key objective of the new measure involves combating “skills fade”, a natural process involving the decline in proficiency over time, which is relevant even for the most competent staff members.
From effective search procedures to physical intervention and emergency first aid, the new refresher training makes sure that each security professional is equipped with the skills and abilities for today’s risks.
Additionally, security staff must also be prepared for modern public security challenges. Thus, the curriculum of training integrates threat detection and counter-terrorism measures, ensuring that security personnel are aware of the modern-day threats.
The Core Elements of the Refresher Training
The SIA’s compulsory refresher training is aimed at strengthening core competencies necessary for security operations. Whether you are a Door Supervisor or a Security Guard, the refresher training will boost the skills needed for your everyday job.
Door Supervisor Refresher Training Focuses On:
● Spotting Terror Threats: know the latest terror risks and respond to them with full confidence.
● Physical Intervention: review the hands-on skills to protect yourself and those around you.
● Search Procedures: conduct effective and lawful search procedures with ethical considerations and legal standards.
● Helping Vulnerable People: recognise at-risk individuals and prevent incidents like drink spiking.
● Physical Intervention: review the hands-on skills to protect yourself and those around you.
● Search Procedures: conduct effective and lawful search procedures with ethical considerations and legal standards.
● Helping Vulnerable People: recognise at-risk individuals and prevent incidents like drink spiking.
Security Guard Refresher Training Focuses On:
You will cover similar topics, though excluding the physical intervention element.
● Spotting Terror Threats: be aware of current and potential terror threats and know how to respond to them.
● Search Procedures: maintain proficiency in conducting searches that are both lawful and professional.
● Helping Vulnerable People: recognise and safeguard those who are at risk.
● Spotting Terror Threats: be aware of current and potential terror threats and know how to respond to them.
● Search Procedures: maintain proficiency in conducting searches that are both lawful and professional.
● Helping Vulnerable People: recognise and safeguard those who are at risk.
In addition, valid emergency first aid certification is now a mandatory requirement for all security personnel.
Your Preparation Timeline
The refresher training will be launched in October 2024, which will give you six months to complete the course before it becomes compulsory in April 2025.
Over these six months, you have an opportunity to schedule the training for yourself and your staff and complete the training at a manageable pace.
Although the course requires time and effort, consider it as an opportunity to refresh your expertise and boost your career. Completing the refresher training is more than just a regulatory requirement: it is your chance to maintain your confidence and qualification in the profession.
Over these six months, you have an opportunity to schedule the training for yourself and your staff and complete the training at a manageable pace.
Although the course requires time and effort, consider it as an opportunity to refresh your expertise and boost your career. Completing the refresher training is more than just a regulatory requirement: it is your chance to maintain your confidence and qualification in the profession.
Implications For Your Licence Renewal
In case your licence expires after April 1, 2025, you will need to complete the refresher training before your licence expires.
Therefore, we recommend not to wait until the last minute to complete the training to avoid possible disruption to your work.
For licences expiring before that date, you can choose between the existing Top-Up Training (but only until January 2025) or jump straight to the new refresher course. Going to the refresher course now means you will be ahead of the game for your next renewal and comply with the latest industry requirements.
Professionals with several licences, such as Door Supervisor and Security Guard) will be required to complete the separate refresher training corresponding to their licence. This might mean a little bit more time invested; however, you will make your skills sharp for every role that you work in.
Therefore, we recommend not to wait until the last minute to complete the training to avoid possible disruption to your work.
For licences expiring before that date, you can choose between the existing Top-Up Training (but only until January 2025) or jump straight to the new refresher course. Going to the refresher course now means you will be ahead of the game for your next renewal and comply with the latest industry requirements.
Professionals with several licences, such as Door Supervisor and Security Guard) will be required to complete the separate refresher training corresponding to their licence. This might mean a little bit more time invested; however, you will make your skills sharp for every role that you work in.
Credentials Needed for the Refresher Course
Before starting the refresher course, you will be required to gather some important documents, such as:
● A valid emergency first aid certificate (not expiring within 12 months).
● ACT Security and ACT Awareness e-learning certifications (dated within the past year).
Both credentials serve as evidence of your ongoing readiness to address emergency situations, from medical emergencies to security and terrorism threats.
● A valid emergency first aid certificate (not expiring within 12 months).
● ACT Security and ACT Awareness e-learning certifications (dated within the past year).
Both credentials serve as evidence of your ongoing readiness to address emergency situations, from medical emergencies to security and terrorism threats.
What Comes Next
The new refresher training signals the start of regular updates to security requirements. In the modern-day security sector, it is crucial to maintain vigilance about any industry changes that are important for your professional skill development.
Once you have refreshed your certification, you will be entirely prepared for the subsequent licence renewals. However, your educational journey should not end there.
Evolving risks and future threats will demand new skills from any security professional. Future training will likely include more innovative technologies such as Virtual Reality simulations and digital learning procedures included in the course.
Once you have refreshed your certification, you will be entirely prepared for the subsequent licence renewals. However, your educational journey should not end there.
Evolving risks and future threats will demand new skills from any security professional. Future training will likely include more innovative technologies such as Virtual Reality simulations and digital learning procedures included in the course.
Training Today, Ready for Tomorrow
As you get ready to undertake the refresher training, maintain awareness of new SIA announcements, as the implementation stage may bring about additional guidelines.
SIA Courses UK is your dedicated partner in this process, delivering important updates needed for your professional growth and ensuring you are fully compliant with security requirements. Our support covers all refresher training needs, no matter if you are training as a door supervisor or security officer.
SIA Courses UK is your dedicated partner in this process, delivering important updates needed for your professional growth and ensuring you are fully compliant with security requirements. Our support covers all refresher training needs, no matter if you are training as a door supervisor or security officer.
Remember: refresher training is not just about ticking boxes: it is your chance to get ahead of industry changes and invest in the long-term success of your career.
