Companies across Canada need security guards. Why? Well, companies often need to keep property and products protected when no one else is around. The best way to protect property and product is to hire someone who knows how to keep an eye on things so that you don’t have to. This is why good security guards are in high demand, and why so many people consider becoming a security guard. However, before you can jump into a great career, you need to get the right training. Taking the security guard training course in Ontario is the first step in earning your license. Once you complete security guard training, you will have the skills you need to succeed.
Is Security Guard Training Right for You?
Security guards need to have certain personality traits to do their job. Before you sign up for training, you will want to take a close look at your own personality traits. Actually, before you start paying to take any training or education, you really should determine whether or not you have the right temperament for the job. The truth is security guards need several important skills to be successful. Some of these skills include,
Ability to Work Alone
For many people, working alone sounds like the perfect workplace scenario. If this sounds like you, you’re in luck! Security guards often have to work alone, and at odd hours. You must have the stamina to work a shift without growing bored or losing focus. After all, a security guard’s primary job is to keep property safe and secure at any hour of the day or night. If you miss something on a surveillance camera because you’re lonely, or enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy office, you might want to re-think becoming a security guard.
Ability to Communicate Effectively
If you like working alone, that’s great. However, there will be times where you will need to communicate with the public, the security guard taking on the next shift, and even your boss. Communication is a huge part of a security guard’s duties. If you can communicate effectively, it’s a great asset because you will prevent miscommunication. Miscommunication is a problem in most job situations. You clearly communicate any situation to those who need to know what’s going on. Clear communication brings about effective change and resolution.
Writing Skills
Another skill a security guard must have is the ability to write clearly and well. A security guard will need to record any incidents that occur on his or her shift. He or she will also need to write up reports for various reasons like, updating a boss on a quiet day or about any suspicious activity.
Teamwork Skills
While some security guard jobs require you to work alone, you still need to be comfortable working with others. You might need to to update another security guard about a situation before a shift change. You might also work a shift with another security guard. In general, working together makes for a better and successful operation. After all, sometimes two eyes are better than one!
Focus and Attention
A very important skill for a security guard is attention and focus. Security guards spend a lot of time watching over a particular place. This place could be the reception area in a condo, a bank, a retail space, or a warehouse in the country. A security guard must have the skills to keep an eye on video surveillance, over long periods of time.
Here’s How You Earn Your License . . .
It is simple and easy to earn your security guard license. That is, it is simple and easy if you put in the hard work. The first thing you need to do is find the right security guard training course. Once you find the right security guard training course, you will need to complete around 50 hours of class time. Once you complete the security guard training course, your instructor will have you write an exam. When you pass your security guard exam, you will receive your license.
Finding the Right Security Guard Training Course
A huge part to whether or not you will get the most out of a security guard training course really depends on the company that provides your training. Therefore, one of the biggest decisions you need to make is: finding the right security guard training course.
The first thing you need to do is find a few schools or training centers in your area. You can do this through either a quick Internet search, or by checking out the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Corrective Services. Both will provide you with a long list of approved security guard training courses and instructors.
It is 100% up to you to find the right training course. So, you want to remember to check out a few options before handing over your course fees. Give the training facility a call, ask questions, and even then, you’re going to want to make sure you check out reviews. Registered businesses will appear on the Better Business Bureau’s website. If the security guard training program you’re interested in appears on that site, you know you’re headed in the right direction. If however, the reviews and ratings of the business aren’t very good, you’ll know to steer clear and go with a different option.
Online Security Guard Training
It might also interest you to know that some security guard training courses can be done online. This means you need to hand in assignments and do the work without going into a classroom, which works better for some people. How, when and where you take the security guard course is up to you! Just make sure you check those ratings and ask all questions.
Get the Best of Both Worlds – Earn Your Private Investigator License
Did you know that if you earn your security guard license, you can also earn your private investigation license? Private investigation and security often go hand in hand. The skills that you use in one, more often than not, translate to the other.
This is why the Ontario government makes it possible to earn both. You can take on the jobs that you want in either industry, and get the best of both worlds. Of course, you must also take the private investigation training course to earn your private investigation license too. Once you have it though, the industry will be wide open to your talents.
Start a Career in a Thriving Industry Today!
The best part of earning your security guard license is that you will see many new job opportunities. The industry is thriving, with new developments and threats that impact the world globally. Hiring a licensed and skilled security guard is a top priority for many.
In addition to excellent job opportunities in the industry, if you work hard during your training and prove you’ve got what it takes, your instructor might decide to hire you! Many security guard training programs are run from security guard companies or private investigation companies. If you can impress someone who runs a security guard business, and land a job right after graduation, you’ll gain all the experience you need in no time! Not to mention the fact that security guards get paid well. Starting out, the average security guard makes around $14/hour. However, after a few years, a good security guard can make around $30/hour. It all depends on your skill level and determination to prove that you’re the best in the business.
Have any questions about our security guard training program? Contact us for more information.
Phone: 888-950-4113 or Email: Info@SmithInvestigationAgency.com
About the Author
Whitney Joy Smith
Founder of The Smith Investigation Agency in 2014, Whitney Joy Smith’s extensive background as a private investigator is matched only by her passion for the role. A graduate of several respected institutions, including Northwest Florida State College and George Brown College, her early years in life were spent between Canada and the United States. This education, along with her formative years as a private investigator in various agencies, informed much of her knowledge of private investigative laws, regulations, and operating standards in both countries.
The recipient of numerous industry awards and accolades, including the Consumers Choice Award, Best in Ottawa, and many others, Whitney takes pride in working closely with her ever-growing agency to raise the bar, maintain compliance, and meet the investigative needs of clients. Whitney is active in various membership and supporting roles, including the CPIRC, CBN, CAPI, Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Her experience-driven, thought-provoking articles have been featured in everything from Readers Digest to Business News Daily, and she strives to continually redefine standards for those in the private investigative and security fields. Learn more about Whitney and the team at The Smith Investigation Agency today.
