The must-have security systems installer qualifications and certification

By Farsight Security
04 Aug 2014 5 min read

 

Are you looking to drive your career in a new direction or start in the world of work as a security systems installer? Whatever career path you choose it can be difficult to decide which qualifications will give you the best possible opportunities.

We’ve taken a look at the different qualifications that are available, which will help security system installers succeed. Not only that, but we’ve included a few of our own tips that will help give you a little extra insight into the security installation industry and security in general.

To start off:

What exactly is a security systems installer? And what role do we, Farsight, play?

A security systems installer fits and maintains an electronic system that detects intruders and prevents unwanted access to a site. These security systems can be referred to as CCTV surveillance systems, access control or intruder and fire detection. You will be installing security systems that protect sites of all shapes and sizes – but the security systems you install will need to be monitored by someone. That’s where we come in.

Farsight is known as a remote CCTV monitoring station. The security systems you install will transmit footage of the site to us, at the Farsight Observatory. Our security operators will monitor the footage and identify any potential threats, permit and deny access as well as visually verify fires or damage.

Sometimes a security surveillance system will suffer damage or become faulty, to the point that remote CCTV monitoring stations will no longer be able to effectively monitor the security of the site. This is where you, the security system installer, come in to play again. You will be responsible for returning to the site and fixing the faults that have occurred.

What skills do I need to become a security systems installer?

A successful security systems installer will:

  • Be keen to learn about electronics
  • Be happy to do hands-on, practical jobs
  • Be able to work in a team with a security systems designer, manufacturer and the remote monitoring station
  • Have colour-normal vision to help with cabling, as well a police check. You can find out more about police checks here.

What qualifications do I need to become a security systems installer?

There are a variety of qualifications and courses that you can take to help you on your journey to becoming a security systems installer.  It’s important to note that there are several qualifications that you will only be able to achieve if you are currently in a security systems installation job.

Here’s a brief profile of some of the opportunities available to you. If you would like to explore more, you can browse Skills for Security.

  • An Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is often the best way for young people to begin a long-term career. As an apprentice you will earn as you learn skills that are a necessity for security systems installers. You will be looking at getting a wage that is £2.68 per hour for 16 to 18 year olds and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that apprentices will earn £5.03 per hour if they are 18 to 20 years of age, or £6.31 if they are 21 and over.

You can find out more about security systems apprenticeships at Apprenticeships.org.uk

As an apprentice you would be gaining on-the-job skills as well as working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

  • A City & Guilds Qualification

Various colleges around the UK will offer City & Guild qualifications, and these qualifications are often integrated with an apprenticeship. In fact, the entry-level requirements specify that you have some experience and basic knowledge of security systems, which you will more than likely gain as an apprentice.

City & Guilds offer various qualifications that are applicable to the security industry. You can find out more about them on the City & Guilds website.

  • A third party training course

There are a variety of different security systems installer courses that you can take. Many of them will require you to have experience in the industry or the training courses may be organised by your employer.

Tavcom Training is an award winning provider of security systems training and they offer everything from BTEC diplomas to online courses. You can visit the Tavcom website here, which also has their most recent prospectus.

  • A Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) Qualification

This option is quite a specific one, but it applies to ex-service men and women who are looking for a new civilian career. There is quite an extensive eligibility criteria but one of the careers that is highlighted is security systems installation. If you’re ex-service and are looking for a new career, why not try security systems installation? The British Security Industry Association has listed a variety of courses that are CTP qualifications for the security industry. Alternatively, you can find out more about CTP on Gov.uk.


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