taylor104

Does anyone have any contact no's for the SIA, apart from the 0844 rip off one.
Just been on hold for 20 minutes now.
I have applied for my application package 3 times and have still not received one!!

Its now been 2 weeks, and with the 9 weeks processing that will be 11 weeks I am unable to work despite all the money I have spent attempting to gain the quals they request.

If I am paying £245 every three years for a licence I expect to be treated like a customer not an impediment.
B*stards!!!

Rant over ..
AJ

littlewoman

02070254100 Head Office number. However you're best applying for an application form on the internet. You'll probably end up with 4 so post it on the site if you do and get them to someone else that's waiting.

Where do you get the 9 weeks processing time from? Everything I'm hearing is that its more like 4 months.

Start applying for jobs and ask the employers to inform you if you are suitable but need a license, then threaten to sue the sia for loss of earnings. Also please write to you MP about how long its taking to get your license. As it is only political pressure that is going to get things changed.

Look in the Ask the Experts section for further advice.

Draken

I'm from South Africa. Could anyone help me or advice me how to register at sia?

silent

Just emailed Ian McCartney to ask the question, helps when he lives 100 yards away and is your MP i suppose. I asked him why 'his' scheme is failing to turn around fast enough when there is no reason for it. Will copy his response on here...... from the horses mouth so to speak. Whats the betting its non-commital!!
Also asked him why, as they imposed the training requirement, they dont provide a course themselves to train without the personal costs!!!
Should be interesting!!!
Silent

littlewoman

In SA or from SA living here?
You need to do an sia approved course for the right sector first. If you're doing Close Protection then Ronin have one in SA. Then you need to get an application form but I think there's a different form if you live overseas. You will need to provide evidence of your lack of criminal convictions, ID evidence etc. look on the SIA website it should take you through it.
Anything you send them, do it by recorded delivery, (or courier if you're abroad).

taylor104

Thanks for the number Littlewoman, after eventually going through 2 receptionists whose English was 'basic' to say the least ( Hope they were'nt illegals lol) I got through to someone who seemed competent.
Hopefully I should have it in the next few days.
As for the 9 week waiting time, thats what I was told by the sia for vetting and security checks.
AJ

littlewoman

The sia are constantly telling people its taking 9 weeks. It isn't, its taking much longer. There are people who have been waiting since November, many of these are renewals and people are losing their jobs and having to close their businesses due to the SIA's incompetence.

Nomad

It does seem odd the delays some are experiencing getting the application form, I had to get a replacement last month and it took 4 days from applying on-line to receiving it which is as fast as post is from the UK to NZ. Not sure why some are waiting so long.

SH4DOW

I wonder how clientele 'really' perceive the industry as a whole?
Is it possible that decent CPO's are tarred with the same brush as the useless organization that dictates to us?

Phil M

I received my sia application forms back within a couple of weeks. My problem has been getting my certification back from City & Guilds which has taken 4 months so far and I'm still waitng! I've been in touch with my course provider several times and City & Guilds have told him that the have dispatched replacement certificates, however, I'm not convinced City & Guilds are being completely honest. Has anyone else experienced this type of delay and if so how long did it take for your certification to arrive?