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Pauline Gunn, Head of Leadership and Development, and Sarah Hayes, Director of HR at Securitas UK on the advantages apprentices bring to building tomorrow’s security
In the security industry, frontline roles often experience high turnover. Due to the nature of these positions, they can be high risk, which contributes to challenges around retention. In addition, there are still traditional perceptions and stereotypes of the industry as physically demanding and male dominated. This is despite the clear benefits of a diverse business landscape and the wide range of roles available across the sector beyond physical frontline security.
We are working to address this challenge. We recognise that qualifications and targeted support can provide real opportunities for growth and development. By investing in our people, we are counteracting outdated stereotypes and giving security professionals the confidence and support they need to build long-term careers in the industry.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships offer on-the-job training programmes that combine practical experience with classroom study, leading to a nationally recognised qualification.
While apprenticeships have traditionally been associated with younger people at the start of their careers, Securitas UK is utilising them to develop employees at different stages of their professional journey. From Level 2 through to Level 7, up to the equivalent to a master’s degree, apprenticeships are available to support leadership, management, marketing, human resources, coaching and recruitment, as well as a range of transferable skills. Tailored pathways allow for meaningful development that responds to an individual’s strengths and aspirations, whether that is improving team leadership, sharing knowledge effectively or building expertise within specialist support functions.
A RESOURCE FOR RETENTION
A lack of qualifications and structured training can affect confidence and create barriers to career progression; and in potentially high-risk environments, confidence is key. By providing recognised, work-based qualifications, apprenticeships are transforming what may once have been viewed as an interim job into a profession with genuine progression opportunities. This builds capability, strengthens confidence and helps reduce turnover by giving employees a future to invest in. Since introducing the apprenticeship scheme at Securitas in 2023, staff turnover has decreased by 46 per cent, providing clear evidence that investing in people leads to stronger engagement, improved performance and higher retention.
CHALLENGING MYTHS AND RAISING AWARENESS
Past perceptions of apprenticeships have created unnecessary barriers, discouraged people and limited awareness of the advantages they offer. As a result, some employees who could benefit from them may have missed out.
Modern apprenticeships now provide enhanced on-the-job learning and development opportunities, particularly in leadership and specialist roles. This not only supports individual career growth but also strengthens the wider security sector by developing critical skills.
For those hesitant about their teams taking on apprenticeships due to the six-hour off-the-job training required weekly, it may be reassuring to note that this learning can be tailored around job responsibilities and allows individuals to apply new knowledge directly to their real-world work.
REAL IMPACT, REAL PEOPLE
Shibin Shaji joined the Securitas UK team in 2023 as a Security Officer. He recently completed his Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship and shared: “The apprenticeship helped me grow from a task-focused Security Officer into a more confident and structured supervisor.”
Owen Mansfield from Securitas UK’s Marketing team joined the company 18 months ago after finishing school. Owen now has a dual role across marketing and communications and is on track to complete his Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer apprenticeship this quarter. These examples show how apprenticeships can elevate a career to the next level. But structured training gives people like Shibin and Owen the confidence and capability to progress in their security careers.
In addition, at Securitas, more than 26 per cent of current apprentices are women – significantly higher than the overall workforce figure of 15 per cent female representation. This contrasts with typical industry gender split statistics, where around 10.89 per cent of the security workforce is female. This demonstrates the progress apprenticeships can make in encouraging a more diverse workforce to grow, learn, and upskill with confidence, challenging industry stereotypes.
By removing barriers and supporting learning at every stage of a career, apprenticeships are helping to broaden access to security careers for people from diverse backgrounds. In doing so, they are shaping a workforce that is more inclusive, better skilled and more resilient for the future.
