N/A

I joined this site a good few months ago as a civvy (I think that's the term used) looking to get into the CPO industry. Even though I have no military background i'm not a complete moron and honestly know I am going to be well suited to this line of work because of my natural attributes.

I have a good contact into the industry who has put me on to task intl and will more than likely employ me once I have completed the course on a salary basis. However after searching numerous threads on this site and reading other testimonials I would like to voice my concerns and get some direct answers to my situation...if that's ok with you guys and girls....also, I have been given information by my contacts but I have this horrible feeling they are just telling me what I want to hear just to get my money and would really like some 'working knowledge' for people actually in the industry at the moment? Does this make sense? I hope so!!

Ok, so i'm coming from a non military background. I have seen threads stating whilst 'some' civvys show a sharp apptitude to entering the CPO industry, ex military candidates are more enclined to be appointed contracts, is this the 'real world' truth?

I'm hearing some grave reviews from the course I was about to take and that employers are less inclined to employ candidates that have graduated this course because it seems to be acting like a conveyerbelt and turning out less than qualified CPO's...?

Is the current economic situation making it harder for newer entrants into the CPO industry?

I have had to network because of my current proffesion and I know the game well, but is it a case of completeing the course, waiting for my badge to come through and then wriggle my way into my first CPO contract? Am I going to be vetted because of no previous experience?

Basically, is it an ok time to enter the insdustry?

I am a very straight shooter and basically my situation is, I want to get out of my current industry and get into something I feel naturally drawn to...I know no-one but I can make that decision...I know it's a gamble but however i'm sure you can understand, I want to try and get an honest truth of what it's like before I make that important leap...

Many many thanks for taking the time to read my worries and thank you in advance for any and all adivce.....

N/A

James Mc

N/A,

Hello mate, first thing first, you are the person that sells himself when it comes to an interview, the CV helps you get in the door mate, it's up to you to show the interviewer you have the skills/attitude to be a good team member & importantly you will not show their company in a bad light.

As for which course to take, that, as i have said in an other thread is a bone of contention within the industry, some people state there are 8 - 10 providers they recogonise for the qualification as set by the sia, that is their choice.

It is up to the awarding bodies to decide if the company is suitable to teach the subject, the SIA standards are the base entry level & that is what has to be remembered it is THE BASE ENTRY LEVEL, it is then up to the CPO themselves to improve their skill set, thereby making them more employable.

Yes, different providers do add extra to their courses to provide more skills for the new CPO,that is their own professional standards coming to the fore, they also work in conjuction with other companies to put packages together.

As has been seen on this forum, some coy's do not do the HSE FAAW in their course (prerequisite for your license) are they helping their students or would some say they are looking a possible trying to get more money from the students?

The real advice i would give you is, firstly id what you want to do in the industry, then do your course where you want to do it, at the price you can afford & when you want to do it. Then mate it's the old cry of network, network & network somemore. Keep a sense of humour

James Mc

Lietuvis

Hi N/A ,
well few answers for you from my side:
1.X-military are more welcome as they already worked/trained in hostile environment, they already used to receiving orders , complying with those orders etc.... When civilians may not.

2.It is hard to get into CP no matter what economic situation is.
But as far as i see the bigger economical problems are the more Security's are required,as people are in financial problems they need to find new finance sources.. Some will work harder others however will search for easy targets.. I.E. kidnap,home invasions,cash in transit robbery etc.
In any of those more security will be needed. CP's and other types. As wealthy people don't like to loose money-they will definately defend them

3. You will be definatelyt vetted no matter if you worked or not before. And it is possible that you will be vetted each time you apply for a work,unless you will have good relationship and trust with your client/employer;

Hope this helps at least little bit

Hawk

I would say that anyone that will offer you work after taken their course is scam! or very unprofessional.
Since nobody knows how youre progressing and take in the information, sometimes a ex military guy could be worse to train into the legal Close Protection industry then a guy from your local post office, just because your ex military dont make you cut and the best for security. However if you are a strong individual and with a mindset of a winner, that give 110% you will gain experience from this industry even with no military experience.
Are you military trained and the best ever, well then its dubble jepardy!

But all is not cut out for this industry, and this the instructor notice and the student himself may understand it thrue the training course, when I hear a statement like that they are offer you work..Its like buying a unseen car, or screwing a unseen woman, the normal guys (boys and girls) will see what they are getting, and so does the client, instructor.

I train people myself, and I will most likely use someone for basic , basic jobs..when it comes to the real security work you want the best guys next to your side, people you trust your life with and you know they go the extra mile for you no matter of situation.

If a company do that its also playing with a clients life..
Many say you should be big and strong, I rather work with 50 year old half fat guys..because they have been around and have a mentality that means avoid or escape..when a 25 year old guys mentality is to fight..

Dont get me wrong, if you feel strongly for this industry go ahead but its not easy work I can tell you, even after 15 years I still struggle in finding the next contract, I belive the most guys here can say the same..
Sooner or later the job will come, and we constantly train and develop our skills, since the terrorists and crimminals do the same

Best of luck what ever you decide to do.

Hawk

mjay

N/A
I agree totaly with the above comments.
I did my initial course a year ago. Since completeing it I have also added weapons, medics and drug awareness to my skill set and im about to undertake a survailance course. People often ask why i am doing course after course and the answer i give is ' it's better looking at the certificates than looking for them when the job i want comes up'.
A CP course on its own is not enough in my eyes, iI feel we should be constantly upgrading our skills thereby making ourselves more emplyable to the clients.
It it a tough industry to crack at present I am working on a static site 4 days on and 4 off but to gain experience i am also on my days off doing door work and festivals, its long hours and can be less than ideal but hey i picked the industry it did not pick me so i have to put in the long hours on the not so good jobs to gain the on the ground experience employers want. A qualification on paper means little if u havent had the chance to hone and develop the skills you learned on the course'
I guess what Im trying to say is it wont be easy and there are times when u think am i doin this for, but im sticking at it and hopeing that the little jobs will lead to not so little jobs and eventually ill get to where i want to be.

AgeingC.P

I can say that although most ops I have worked with have been ex mil, a significant number of really good hands have never put on a uniform in their lives. Over the years I have come to believe that its the man behind the skills and not just the skills that count.
Good Luck
Ageing

Marcus2RRF

Im ex military and i work in a 4 man team none the others have military exp but i wouldn change my team for the world

FliesNest

I've heard a lot of this, "groups" of CP personnel that work together because they feel safer and know each other better in harder circumstances... IS this a very true event, because for ourselfs we are heading into training together as a group, is it easier to work in larger groups then it is to find postings on your own? and do companies like higher groups of Psd as apposed to finding single individuals?

shakespeare

Believe me mate, unless ytou know someone who is doing WELL ie TL, OM etc you havent got a snowballs chance in hell.

Of course the Training providers will tell you different....listen to the men on the street will ya???? There is NO WORK. Especially for civvy's. Don't get me wrong....but I'm telling you the only civvies I know are the ones who have been on the Circuit for years. Wake up and smell the coffee...;there is no CP work. Full Stop.