Security Officer within the Private Security Industry training in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh & Glasgow

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The Security Industry Act 2001 requires anyone working in the security industry to complete training and hold a valid SIA licence. From 1 April 2021, guided learning hours increased. Security Officer training is now a 3-unit course:

• Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry
• Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry
• Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry

Pre-requisites

Identification

Provide one document from Group A and two from Group B (at least one must show your current address and one your date of birth).

Group A

• Signed, current, valid passport
• UK DVLA photocard driving licence
• Northern Ireland DVA photocard driving licence (paper counterpart if applicable)
• UK original birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
• UK biometric residence permit card

Group B

Two of the same type will not be accepted.

• Bank/building society statement (last 3 months)
• Utility bill (gas/electric/telephone/water/satellite/cable) (last 3 months)
• Credit card statement (last 3 months)
• Council tax statement (last 12 months)
• Mortgage statement (last 12 months)
• Letter (last 3 months) from HMRC, DWP, Jobcentre Plus or a local authority
• P45 or P60 (last 12 months)
• Paper UK driving licence
• Northern Ireland DVA photocard
• Pension, endowment or ISA statement (last 12 months)
• Valid UK firearms licence with photo

English functionality

Minimum language skills equivalent to one of:

• B2 level on the Home Office recognised list / B2 CEFR
• ESOL Level 1 (England, Wales, NI) or ESOL SCQF Level 5 (Scotland)
• Functional Skills Level 1 (English)
• SQA Core Skills Communication SCQF Level 5

This will be requested on booking; obtain evidence before booking if needed.

First Aid

You must hold a valid First Aid certificate with at least 12 months remaining. Accepted:

• Emergency First Aid
• First Aid at Work
• First Person on Scene (FPOS)

E-learning First Aid is not accepted. We can arrange First Aid prior to your course.

Bookings will only be taken once pre-requisites are met.

Course contents

Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry (17 hours; 8 hours distance learning)

• Industry overview and purposes
• Relevant legislation
• Arrest procedures
• Safe working practices
• Fire procedures
• Emergencies and emergency procedures
• Effective communication
• Record keeping
• Terror threats and operative roles
• Safeguarding vulnerable people
• Post-incident management

Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Security Officer (11 hours)

• Roles and responsibilities
• Control of access and egress
• Electronic and physical protection systems
• Personal safety and risk minimisation
• Drug-misuse legislation, issues and procedures
• Effective search procedures
• Safe patrolling of designated areas

Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management (11 hours)

• Principles of conflict management
• Recognise, assess and reduce risk
• Problem-solving techniques
• Communicate to de-escalate

How is my qualification achieved?

Usually a 4-day classroom course with blended and/or distance learning.

Note: results normally take 2–3 weeks to process, plus SIA processing time.

Assessments

Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry

• MCQ exam: 72 questions, 110 minutes, 70% pass mark
• Practical: evidential statement, 100% pass mark

Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Security Officer

• MCQ exam: 60 questions, 90 minutes, 70% pass mark
• Practicals: observation of searching and use of communication devices, 100% pass mark (each practical visually recorded; ~15 mins per learner)

Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management

• MCQ exam: 20 questions, 30 minutes, 70% pass mark
• Practical scenario with observation sheet, 100% pass mark (visually recorded; ~15 mins per learner)

Course cost

£275 + VAT per person
£330 + VAT per person if including First Aid.
If you require First Aid training, contact the office to book.

Group discounts available on request.

Contact

Aberdeen 01224 51 61 71  |  Dundee 01382 60 40 60  |  Edinburgh 0131 610 9112  |  Glasgow 0141 432 2018

Email: claire@f1train.co.uk  |  lisa@f1train.co.uk

Upcoming dates

• Aberdeen: 15–18 Oct 2025
• Glasgow: 3–6 Nov 2025
• Edinburgh: 1–4 Dec 2025