What is the Women in Security Project?

To put it simply, Kennedy Scott is working with security companies to increase the number of women trained for and employed within the security industry.

Designed with you in mind, the Kennedy Scott Women in Security Project wants to attract women living in London who are considering returning to work, perhaps having spent time rearing children, caring for a relative or just simply being away from work for one of the many other reasons people have.

Don't Worry - you don't have to make your mind up immediately. At the beginning of the course you will have everything explained to you and as your understanding grows you can make up your own mind. No one is going to question your decision if you don't think it is right for you, but you may be surprised at just how interesting and rewarding the future could be. If this is for you, then call or come and see us.

Why Security?

Recent changes in the law mean that to work in a security job nowadays you need to have a qualification and a licence. This means that security staff are now qualified professionals in their own right.

The qualifications can vary depending on the type of job you want to have at the end, but what they all have in common is that they will help you do your job better and with more confidence.

Will I have to pay anything?

The course is free for you to join and attend. The training, gaining the qualifications and getting your licence is all free to you. You may also qualify for help with childcare if you have children.

What provision is there for my Children?

The training course will fit around school hours, however, if you have one or more children under school age, we have arranged for FREE childcare at a fully registered nursery close to the Training Centre on the days you are training. Childcare provision will also be available to you when attending interviews and when you are on work tasters.

What are jobs in Security?

Security is a big industry which means there are a number of different routes you can follow. At this stage, the course will concentrate on Door Supervisors and Security Officers. On the next pages you can read stories from people in these jobs.

What type of people will be on the course?

Women just like you, considering a return to work and taking a first step in what might turn out to be a very rewarding future. Some of you will be mothers concerned about how you combine childcare and financial independence without worrying; others will be looking to break the cycle of working in low paid, unrewarding jobs and wanting to think more about the long term, gain a qualification and respect in a professional job. Each course will have approximately 8-12 women and you are sure to meet others with similar interests and make some new friends.

What do I do next?

Contact our Women in Security project on 020 7407 2022 and we will invite you to a pre-course meeting where you will be given further information about available courses and the dates they run. At this time, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed decision about joing the course.

This course is open to all women who

• Are without work
• Live in the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster
• Have the legal right to work in the UK 

Women like you?

Esther

Since the birth of her first child, Esther had been on benefits although she hoped soon to have more money to provide for her family. In June 2004, her daughter was just old enough for Esther to seriously think about working again.

At first, Esther believed that she was not qualified but when she answered an advertisement for "security personnel", she discovered that she could move into a career which would earn her respect and give her a feeling of doing work that really mattered. After checking with the company, she discovered that she already had many of the skills that were required. After a short but intensive training schedule, she realised that her skills, which had previously only earned her a minimum wage, could now be used to increase her earning potential significantly. Of greatest importance, Esther foud that she was able to arrange her work schedule so that she could spend time with her daughter and still meet the obligation of working full-time.

Aiesha

Aiesha is the youngest of five children, the last to leave home. Although she is bright and intelligent, her experience and skills had so far not qualified her for a job that was either interesting or paid enough. She had thought often of her aunt who was an officer in the Territorial Army and how people looked up to her and commented on how professional she looked in her uniform. No one ever seemed to notice Aiesha. One day while looking through the job pages, Aiesha noticed that there were several opportunities for security guards in her neighbourhood.

An application, interview, job offer and uniform fitting later, she noticed that everyone seemed to treat her differently and she liked the difference. At work she made friends with some of the other women and she was soon posted to her first assignment. The pay was definitely better than in her two previous jobs and her work took her all over the City of London. The flexible hours allowed her to socialise with her new friends and provided the extra to buy and run a car. Aiesha now drives to work and play, has her own flat and is taking some additional training at work to apply for a promotion to an even better position with the company.