Security Guard Training Requirements

Security guards can be found in all types of businesses. These individuals are responsible for the safety of the area being guarded as well as the safety of the people in that area. The training requirements for a security guard will be determined by several factors, most notably the place the individual will be working at.

Types

"Security guard" is a broad label that could be given to one of several different jobs. A security worker could be somebody who actually patrols an indoor or outdoor area of a company, campus or other location to ensure the safety of that area. It could also be a person who simply sits in a kiosk and signs people in and out of a building or workplace.

Security guard positions can be filled by men and women from a vast age range. More inexperienced guards or people nearing the end of their careers (those in their 60s, for example) are often given easier assignments.

Training

Practically all employers want their security guards to have no less than a high school diploma. Most employers will test the physical fitness of a potential security guard. How rigorous this test is will be determined by the employer and the exact type of work required of the security guard. You may also have to complete a set amount of time of weapons training. This could include training with handguns and hand-held weapons, such as a nightstick.

Misconceptions

Being able to bench press double your body weight and looking "big and bad" is not enough for a person hoping to work as a security guard. There is also a considerable amount of clerical work that must be done on a daily basis. You won't be asked to type out a novel or do any computer programming. However, you should be able to use basic computer functions, such as word processing programs and email. You may want to take a typing course as well, if you type less than 35 words per minute.

Warning

Security guards should have exceptional vision and hearing. While you can't improve how well you can see or hear, you can train to see and hear the "right" things. Security guards are expected to notice people and situations that could be a problem before the problem arises. It's worth noting, though, that having vision and hearing below average could keep you from obtaining some security guard positions.

Working as a security guard can be dangerous, regardless of how easy the assignment seems. As a security guard, you may be the last line of defense against those looking to break into a facility. Such trespassers may be armed and you will need to know how to handle those situations in order to secure the building and keep yourself safe.

Expert Insight

Just as with most jobs, it's wise to start from the bottom and work your way up in a security job. Begin your career by finding a job with a local factory or business. During this time, you will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of being a security guard and get some job experience to put on your resume. Taking these jobs will allow you to take additional courses and complete any training necessary that you may need to obtain a higher paying job.