SEC URIT Y F E AT URE
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
SECURITY OFFICERS' DAY
A CHANCE TO THANK ALL SECURITY OFFICERS FOR HELPING TO KEEP US SAFE On 24 July 2022 - International Security Officers’ Day – the Australian Security Industry Association Ltd (ASIAL) is calling on the community to acknowledge the role performed by Australia’s 120,000 Security Officers in keeping us safe. “It only takes a moment to tell the security officers at your work or in the shopping centre or elsewhere that you know what they do for the community and that you appreciate them,” said ASIAL CEO Bryan de Caires. Performing a broad range of roles from protecting hospitals to defence bases, shopping centres to offices, concerts and sporting events, security officers are present at licensed premises, airports, critical infrastructure and much more. They are a vital part of Australia’s security mix and have risen to the many challenges posed over the past two years. Many people might take security for granted and few people know the dangers that security officers face every day when they put themselves in harm’s way protecting others. Whether they are monitoring public spaces, bars, railway stations or patrolling premises after hours, they must be ready to confront and handle a variety of potentially dangerous situations from rowdy behaviour, criminal activity right up to terrorism threats. Very few people are aware of sophisticated technology used by the profession today ranging from biorecognition, infrared cameras, crowd movement analysis tools and many other tools to intercept crime or other dangers.
2 2 SEC UR IT Y IN S IDE R | JU LY – SE PTE M BE R 2022
The wide scope of duties they perform means that Security Officers must hold a diverse range of skills and talents; as a result, it attracts individuals seeking a rewarding and meaningful career. Likewise, the Security Industry attracts people from very diverse backgrounds, reflecting the face of Australian society today. ASIAL President John Gellel said that the industry needs to do more to attract potential employees. “Apprenticeships are possibly a key to our ability to keep pace with demand,” he said. “Someone entering the labour market is probably unaware that as a qualified technician in the security industry, they can realistically expect an income commensurate with other trades such as an electrician.” “The mission is to demonstrate to workers that there is good money to be made and an excellent career path if you want to progress to stimulating work areas involving security at its most sophisticated and in some of the most exciting fields of security today.” “A career in the security industry means you’re part of something much larger than a career,” said John Gellel. “Whether you’re in the protective services or electronics side of the industry, you will be playing your part in keeping Australia safe and secure, while having fun with some very cool technologies” Mr Gellel said. The problem of recruitment-appeal is not only a concern for the Security Industry. Latest figures from the National Skills Commission reveal recruitment difficulty has reached a new peak since the COVID-19 outbreak. More than half (54 per cent) of employers report having trouble filling vacancies in the four weeks to April 30.
