Construction sites usually have a security presence to protect the site and any property stored on it. The construction company will probably have a contract with a reliable security company like construction security London. It is likely that the security company will provide one or more unarmed security guards to patrol the property and keep an eye open for unusual behaviour and intruders. Occasionally the guards might have other jobs to do in addition to monitoring security – they might receive parcels or mail on behalf of the company or be available to direct traffic or visitors to the site.
The requirements for any person who wants to be a security guard are relatively straightforward. Most security companies will deliberately seek out applicants who are able to communicate easily with a variety of different people and are able to carry out instructions readily and be able to respond swiftly to novel and unusual situations. Security guards are expected to be clean and neat in appearance at all times. Educational qualifications are not so important as a good deal of common sense is. Security guards are expected to be literate but the number of GCSEs passed, for instance, is not a critical factor. A more important factor is that a security guard should be reasonably physically fit and healthy as well as have good job references and not have a criminal record.
Most security guards have an on the job training which is unlikely to involve firearms training. In fact, the only weapons which security guards commonly are expected to use are good observation and communication skills. Part of the training involves developing communication skills and strategies. Guards commonly also have to know how to use CCTV equipment, two way radios and a variety of other security related electronic technology. Part of the training that security guards experience will be on the job patrols with a supervisor. The trainee would normally work alongside his or her supervisor for a number of days. The security company training schedule would also normally include a section on ethical standards and company policies. The typical training programme for an unarmed security guard might be fifty hours or so which would be part and parcel of being on the job. The training period would normally have to be completed within the first three months of duty and there would also be some sort of company competency test at the end of the training period.
Apart from construction sites, the typical unarmed security guard will be found in a number of locations where security could be an issue. Security guards might be used on stationary duties where they man a gate, door or car park area or they might be used for patrols. Apartment blocks, parks, shopping malls and banks are all places where security guards can be found. Security guards, because of the emphasis on good communication skills, might also be used at entrance ways and help desks where they perform a dual function of security and information provision.