GibbosEmpire
Well-known member
I've felt like a change in career and thought about security/door work, I believe an SIA license is around £184. Anyone on here done it, or know what it's like?
Security/door work
- Thread starter GibbosEmpire
- Start date
Juninhoburger
Well-known member
I do it. You have to pass a course as well as pay for the actual licence. Your standard licence is valid for 3 years and then you have to pay to renew it again. Some companies will pay for this, mine doesn't.
Expect long hours for minimum wage in the vast majority of places.
Retail security is the best option if you're a restless kind of person, as you're always "on". Or Door Supervisor work. I've never done that, even though I hold a Door Supervisor licence.
If you're on a single manned site like me you're going to want plenty of books to read and/or a tablet or phone with loads of mobile data.
Expect long hours for minimum wage in the vast majority of places.
Retail security is the best option if you're a restless kind of person, as you're always "on". Or Door Supervisor work. I've never done that, even though I hold a Door Supervisor licence.
If you're on a single manned site like me you're going to want plenty of books to read and/or a tablet or phone with loads of mobile data.
GibbosEmpire
Well-known member
I have Adhd so I think it will be a good career move, I'm always on the go, always aware of surroundings, pretty good with my hands. I saw some jobs around Brighton where I live for about £12 an hour. What's the course like?
DonTheKing
Well-known member
The course is quite intense to be fair, make sure you take it all in, the test is pretty easy if you listen.
The jobs though are really hit and miss like previously said low pay long hours.
(Ex door supervisor)
I did club door work long before a license was necessary. I'd avoid that like the plague now. In my time I've had people pull guns, machetes, knives, bottles, broken schooners. Not worth the money/aggro. And you need to be with a really good team with no headcases.
If I were to do it now (I'm not) I'd look for gig/event security work. Also, as suggested, retail for steady hours.
If I were to do it now (I'm not) I'd look for gig/event security work. Also, as suggested, retail for steady hours.
Juninhoburger
Well-known member
The course is long (mine was 2 full days of classroom work and 1 day for the practical Door Supervisor part) but if you have a decent instructor you'll be basically told what the answers are for the test. Write everything down and you'll be fine.
£12 an hour is quite high for the North East so in Brighton i'm guessing that's at the lower end of the pay scale.
Frankie Lee
Well-known member
The course is actually just a p*ss take really. Just a way of making money. It is virtually impossible to fail. The one good thing about this kind of work is once you get to know people you can find loads of work. Often you’ll get extra work cash in hand too.
Will_Graham
Well-known member
Customers with guns, machetes and broken boats?
Where did you work? Can't have been Teesside surely?
Glover_elbow
Well-known member
Pretty good with your hands hmm is that wood carving or thumping people
GibbosEmpire
Well-known member
Neither just handsy, like I'm more practical than intellectual, but I'm pretty strong and can hold my own
Juninhoburger
Well-known member
Oh I forgot to say, in a lot of cases you'll also need to be competent at using a computer, particularly Excel depending on where you're based.
Druss_The_Legend
Well-known member
Get a stab vest if you are working the doors.
Haha. Most of these happened in Birminham city centre, but the broken beer glass (dimple type actually, not a schooner) that cracked me over the head was in Huddersfield. A lot of blood and a few stitches but no great shakes. Still managed to remove them from the club.
DonTheKing
Well-known member
The course is a week long with a bull**** practical and a easy test but it's till intense these days. I wouldn't recommend that job to anybody **** pay and ahit hours with the chance of dealing with absolute cranks. Not worth it.
Frankie Lee
Well-known member
No I agree mate. Plus, dealing with drunks is the f’ing worst.
Emmersons_BrazillianDong
Well-known member
£12 an hour for this kind of work is absolute madness and feels exploitative. I take my hat off to anybody doing this.
You are worth a whole lot more for putting yourself at risk
The way we value workers in this country is nuts to me.
You are worth a whole lot more for putting yourself at risk
The way we value workers in this country is nuts to me.
£12 an hour for this kind of work is absolute madness and feels exploitative. I take my hat off to anybody doing this.
You are worth a whole lot more for putting yourself at risk
The way we value workers in this country is nuts to me.
I don't know how it compares but in the early to mid 80s I was on £20 to £25 a night (9pm til 2.30 a.m usually) for nightclubs door work. I'd get a bit more for gigs and what felt like decent money then, £10 an hour, for personal security (usually minding touring bands/musicians). By comparison, at the time I could earn £200 for writing a corporate video script (for double glazing or Goodyear tyres, that sort of stuff) that might take me 5 hours.
Anton_Berg
Well-known member
You might be able to get training and licence fee paid if there is a scheme in your area. Ask around. Also consider a CCTV course if available.
aytonstrummer
Well-known member
How on earth do you go from the rock garden barman to that? Take my hat off to you
