Decoding the Age Gap: SIA Licensing and Career Longevity in the UK Security Industry

In 2023, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in the United Kingdom had 412,918 active licence holders, with those in their 30s accounting for 100,478 of them. This figure demonstrates how important the SIA is to the private security industry in the UK. The SIAs regulatory role is essential for many positions in this sector, including security guards, CCTV operators, door supervisors, and other security-related positions. An SIA licence is a prerequisite for certain positions, guaranteeing that employees fulfil the conduct and training requirements specific to the security sector.The high number of licence holders in their 30s may reflect career patterns or the appeal of the security sector to people in this age range. The SIAs regulatory monitoring helps to maintain professional standards in the sector, which improves public trust and safety. The requirement for SIA licencing in various areas within the security sector is an important step in ensuring that personnel in these roles are competent, adequately trained, and capable of handling the obligations that come with their positions.The fact that SIA licence holders are more common in their 30s but become less numerous in their 40s and 50s indicates that security officers need to view the security industry as a long-term career path. Low compensation, strange hours, and few chances for job progression could all contribute to this. These elements make it more challenging to recruit and retain employees. Due to rising training expenses, rigorous screening, and the perception that security jobs are transient, the sector requires assistance in hiring and retaining security guards. Staff retention is further impacted by alternatives that offer better compensation and working conditions. Even with some improvements—such as increased pay and more guard duties—there are still significant obstacles to professional advancement and job attraction. To address these, measures such as more accessible training, enhanced industry perception, and better salaries are suggested.nbsp;The industry must address the structural causes of the decline of licence holders as they get older—into their 40s and 50s. This entails looking at ways to significantly increase the sustainability and desirability of security employment in addition to compliance. Companies, training providers, and policymakers must work together to establish work environments encouraging sustained engagement, offering competitive pay, and establishing clear career tracks. Therefore, the industry bears some of the accountability rather than just regulators. The sector may secure a more stable and experienced staff by addressing these difficulties with job longevity. This will eventually benefit the industry, its employees, and the people it serves.nbsp;Ref: For detailed insights, the SIAs complete reports on the website provide more information GOV.UK website.