Employment seeking (surv)

[vick]

I am currently seeking, enquiring about employment in the Surv industry. Do you need to hold an sia licence for this type of work. I ask this because I have a few months left to serve in the Military and would like to start work as soon as possible. My SIA application is going through at the moment. Any pointers greatly appreciated.

[PSA]

At present there is no separate sia license for surveillance. Although the rumors are about that it shall become requisite at some point.
If the SIA are not too busy of course!!!!
Do your research on which course you select. Industry training on reputation is important if you require more information PM .

[isstraining]

Hello VIc,

I have pasted below a copy of what I pasted on this forum last week in relation to Surveillance / investigations & the sia.

Get some training and experience under your belt and if you have the correct attitude, you should do okay. BTW, we are Preferred Suppliers to the MOD and accept ELCAS for training.

Good luck.

SNIP..

This is the state of play with the sia and Surveillance (Private Investigators)

Last year the sia issued a questionnaire which went out to the investigation sector called the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Investigators (and Surveillance Operators) were encouraged to complete it and send a response to the SIA in order for them to make a decision in which way licensing was to go. The SIA suggested 4 options (or suggestions) for the way that licensing was to be implemented. They were:

1. Do Nothing
2. Find an alternative to Regulation
3. Licensing with no competency criteria (criminal record check, credit check etc only)
4. Licensing with competency criteria (training / assessment)

Option 4 suggested that investigators should be able to display competency in the following:

1. Conduct investigations
2. Conduct interviews
3. Search for information and preserve evidence
4. Conduct Surveillance
5. Understanding and working to relevant Laws and Standards

But I have the feeling that this is likely to change the nearer they get to making a final decision (my opinion only).

As a result of the RIA, the sia have now decided that they will go down the route of Option 3 as an initial step with a subsequent move to Option 4 in 2 – 4 years time.

In layman’s terms, this is it so far: the sia, will issue a badge to private investigators (at a date to be decided). The licence will be issued to those who; pay the big fee, prove their identity, have a CRB check, are registered with the DPA and maybe display one or to other niggly things like have insurance.

AND THEN

In 2 – 4 years time will have to show a level of competency by undergoing a course or pass a form of assessment to display that you can carry out the work you purport to do.

The sia have also stated: ‘There is still a lot of preparatory work to be done on the detail and with private investigation and stakeholder groups, law enforcement agencies and professional associations’.

In the meantime, they will want to get everyone registered in order to get the money from them and in the meantime work out the way forward over the next 2 – 4 years (or in SIA track record terms this could be 4 – 6 years!)

Hope this clears up what is happening at the moment.

..SNIP..

Regards

Peter

[rob1234]

Vick

If you have a background in Surveillance then that is great but if not have a look at Security Service website as they are still recruiting operators. Good background and training to further career later on, plus you get the chance to do some interesting work in current climate!

[vick]

Thanks all for the replies , I have some degree of surveilance training with a specialist military unit and just starting out seeking employment, any pointers would be a great help.

[yoda]

Hi Vik,

By any chance would you be a "VIKING"?
All the best.

[vick]

As it happens yes I am, why do you ask.

[yoda]

Hi mate,

I thought it was you Vik.

Hope all is well with you and i shall try to call you.

Take care