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Description
Example Titles
Classified Elsewhere
Duties
Skills
Employment Requirements
Terms & Conditions
Earnings
Education / Training
Career Paths
Outlook
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies

Employment by Age Group
Employment by Industry
Employment by Region
Employment by Gender
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Employment by Visible Minority

Security Guards and Related Occupations (NOC 6651)

Description

This unit group includes security guards and other related workers who guard property against theft and vandalism, control access to establishments, maintain order and enforce regulations at public events and within establishments. They are employed by private security agencies, retail stores, industrial establishments, museums and other establishments.

Example Titles

airport security guard
armoured car guard
bodyguard
bouncer
commissionaire
crossing guard
gate attendant
night watchman/woman
preboarding security guard
security guard
security officer

>> View all titles

Classified Elsewhere

Correctional Service Officers (6462)
Managers of security agencies (in 0123 Other Business Services Managers)
Private Investigators (in 6465 Other Protective Service Occupations)
Supervisors of security guards and related occupations (in 6216 Other Service Supervisors)

Duties

Workers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

Control access to establishments, issue passes and direct visitors to appropriate areas
Patrol assigned areas, on foot or in vehicles, to guard against theft, shoplifting, vandalism and fire
Enforce regulations of an establishment to maintain order
Operate security control-room equipment to monitor establishment activities
Perform security checks of passengers and luggage at airports
Drive and guard armoured trucks and deliver cash and valuables to banks, automated teller machines and retail establishments
Ensure that establishment safety and emergency procedures are followed, and respond to fire alarms, bomb threats and other emergencies.

Skills

Security guards need the following skills and abilities:

be honest, have good judgment and a sense of responsibility,
be able to take charge and direct others in emergencies,
have the confidence to challenge people when necessary,
good verbal communication skills, including tact and discretion,
be mentally alert and emotionally stable,
good observation skills,
ability to follow rules and guidelines,
ability to work independently or as a member of a team,
may need writing skills for short reports.

Employment Requirements

In Manitoba, mandatory standardized training and licensing is required for all security guards, including in-house security. Armoured car drivers require a drivers' licence. Guards carrying firearms require a licence. A criminal record check and child abuse registry check are required.

Terms & Conditions

Security guards may work indoors or outside. They may be at some personal risk while performing their duties. A criminal records check is usually performed prior to hiring.

Working hours vary depending upon the employer and type of work. In some cases they may be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, or holidays. Most security guards work full-time (75%), although part time opportunities are available. Approximately 1% of the workforce is self employed, usually in the private investigations sector.

Earnings

$19,200 per annum - starting

$27,100 per annum - average

$52,300 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

Education / Training

Large companies may provide in-house training and skills upgrading.
Red River College offers Security Officer Training: Basic and Advanced programs through the Continuing Education Division.

The following private vocational institutions offer programs in this field:

Law Enforcement and Security Training Academy of Canada - Law, Security and Protection, Security Officer Level Three
Robertson College - Investigation, Security and Law Enforcement.

Career Paths

Security guards may start in part-time or summer jobs.

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with additional experience and in-house training. Guards with management skills may start their own security service company.

Outlook

Employment prospects security guards are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. The number employed in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 3,145.

Recent world events have lead to increased concerns about security and this is driving demand for security personnel. While electronic surveillance equipment is replacing some of the traditional security guard jobs, there is more demand for security personnel in areas such as public transportation, shopping centres, parking lots and foot patrols in larger urban centres.

There is a relatively large potential supply pool. This is a high turnover occupation, and most job opportunities will arise as members of the current workforce leave for other jobs or retire.

Jobs for security guards and related occupations are found throughout Manitoba. Across industries, the greatest concentration of employment is in Administrative and Support Services ( 58% ), followed by Public Administration (7%) and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (6%).

Employment by Age Group

Employment by Industry

Employment by Region

Employment by Gender

Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification

Employment by Visible Minority

Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.

Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...

Canadian Alarm and Security Association - Manitoba Chapter, http://www.canasa.org