How to Become A Security Instructor In South Africa

Instructors train security guards, so they are prepared to take on various responsibilities as outlined on the employment website Indeed: Protect an organization’s property, staff and surrounding environment. Conduct routine and random patrols of the premises.

What does a cyber security instructor do?

A cyber security instructor works with adult students to teach them the techniques and technical knowledge that they need to protect a network against cyber attacks. As a cyber security instructor, you may work for a college or for a company that provides cyber security training to businesses.

What do u need to become a security guard?

Most security guard jobs are entry level and typically require a high school diploma. Individuals seeking an edge in hiring can pursue additional education such as an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Security guards must also: Be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

What security guards Cannot do?

Since security guards hold no more power than the general public in terms of the law, they’re also not allowed to carry weapons. Whether pepper spray, batons or a gun, security guards cannot display weapons on their person as a deterrent and they certainly can’t use them.

How to Become A Security Instructor In South Africa

Becoming a Security Guard in South Africa is a little complex compared to other countries and jurisdictions:

There are multiple SA government agencies you will have to go through.

Security Guards are given a letter grade depending on the security role.

On your journey to becoming a Security Guard in South Africa, you will have to deal with two government agencies:

Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)

Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA)

SASSETA is the government agency that will regulate your South African security training. Your training will have to be completed by a SASSETA approved provider.

PSIRA is the SA government agency that regulates security licensing. Once you complete your security training, PSIRA will be the government agency that issues you your South Africa Security Guard license and letter grade.

South Africa Security License Grade

Grade E: This is an entry level grade. You will focus on security patrolling with a grade E.

Grade D: This is also an entry level grade. You will perform security patrolling and access control with a grade D.

Grade C: A grade C used for security roles that require some delegation.

Grade B: Grade B is a Security Supervisor type role.

Grade A: Grade A is used for Security Management.

South Africa Security Guard License Requirements

Age: You must be 18yo or older.

Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind or be under investigation for a crime. PSIRA will perform a records check on you during the application process.

Grade Nine Education: You need at least a grade nine education or equivalent.

South Africa Citizen: You need to be a South Africa citizen or be a permanent resident of SA.

English: You must be able to speak and write in English.

Government Security Force: You cannot be a member of any government’s security force or agency.

South Africa Approved Security License Course: You need to take SA approved security courses based on what security grade you want to enter. It is recommended to contact SASSETA for approved security training providers.

What Does a South Africa Security Guard Do?

South Africa Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations

South Africa Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.

A common task for a South Africa Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.

South Africa Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (South Africa Guards write a lot of reports).

Guards in South Africa document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.

Many South Africa security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).

South Africa Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. South Africa Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.

South Africa Security Guards will respond to alarms and act accordingly as per the Emergency Response plan set in place by supervisors. This may include,

Evacuation of the security site.

Checking alarm system on the way out for information about where the problem is occurring.

Contacting supervisors.

Responding to incidents and completing all reports as necessary.

  • What you will need to become a security training instructor: 

Get a CV As part of your application into an Awarding Body, you should have a detailed CV which clearly demonstrates your front-line experience in the security sector.

The areas you should concentrate on highlighting on your CV should be those that show any training and qualifications that you have. If you are a Door Supervisor for example then you would need to expand on your daily tasks in that role, such as your experience in using physical intervention skills and using conflict management to resolve situations.

Get qualifications

In order to become a security training instructor you will need to have the necessary front-line experience as well as a Level 2 qualification in the course you will want to teach. For example, you will need the Level 2 Award in Door Supervision in order to teach a Door Supervisor qualification.

To become a security training instructor, you will also need to have completed a Level 3 First Aid at work Qualification. All security training instructors must be aged 18 or over in order to undertake these courses and they will need to be completed in the following order:  

✅ Level 3 AET (This Qualification does not expire)

✅ Level 3 in Delivering Conflict Management (This Qualification does not expire)

✅ Level 3 In Delivering Physical Intervention (This Qualification expires and needs to be refreshed annually)

✅ Level 3 First Aid at Work (This Qualification expires and needs to be retaken every 3 years).

✅ Level 3 Basic Restraint and Hand Cuff Training (This will be annually refreshed by Qualhub for those who would like to learn and Teach it)

Get equipment

Purchasing and maintaining classroom equipment is the responsibility of the training instructor. Some of the tools that you will need to run a training lesson will include: 

✅ A Laptop with Microsoft Office (or equivalent) for PowerPoint Presentations.

✅ A projector.

✅ A first aid doll.

✅ A clicker and laser pointer.

✅ A stationery bag with, pens, glue and scissors for course admin work.

✅ Extension cables.

✅ Laptop speakers for any audio.

✅ Radios (minimum of 2 – these are required for training CCTV courses).

✅ Handcuffs (If you will be training any handcuff or restraint courses).  

Get registering with an awarding body Once you have acquired the necessary qualifications, now you must register with an awarding body. To register with an awarding body, you will need the following:

✅ Training Certificates.

✅ Your CV.

✅ Any SIA License you have.

✅ A filled-out registration form.

How do I become a security trainer in South Africa?

In order to start a security company you will need to register with the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). This is one of the governing bodies of private security companies in South Africa. You will have to pay a registration fee and complete an exam to determine your competence level.

How long is security training?

Granted, you may have to go through some training before you are allowed to work in a full capacity. Otherwise, most certification courses only take around 45-80 hours of total instruction and can be completed in as little as three weeks or as long as 6 months.

How long does it take to get security certification?

Certifications make you stand out from the rest of the pack. People learn at different paces and in different ways. Typically, most people take the Security+ certification exam study for 30 to 45 days.

Is the security exam multiple choice?

The CompTIA Security+ exam includes a combination of multiple-choice questions, drag and drop activities, and performance-based items. The multiple-choice questions are single- and multiple- response. Performance-based items test your ability to solve problems in a simulated environment.

What happens if you fail Security+?

A test found to be in violation of the retake policy will be invalidated and the candidate may be subject to a suspension period. Repeat violators will be permanently banned from participation in the CompTIA Certification Program. Candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam.

How many times can you take security plus?

If this is your first failure, you can retake the test at your earliest convenience. CompTIA allows candidates to retake the test for the first time without any need to wait. However, if you need to take the test a third time, then you must wait 14 days from the date you took the exam.

What does security plus teach?

CompTIA Security+ teaches you about threat intelligence and various malware and attacks, such as SQL injections, ransomware, zero-day attacks and cross-site scripting.