to examine the growing diversity in the sector and identify the types of roles that females are now successfully undertaking.
Jobs
Although it has been considered a predominantly male preserve, the security industry is beginning to witness more women joining it to take advantage of the career opportunities it offers.
B
reda Smead, Regional Director of Corps Security, draws on her own experience
According to the government’s Directgov website, the security industry currently employs around half a million people in the UK. What it doesn’t do is indicate how many of these are women; however, anecdotal estimates suggest that they account for around only two to three per cent of the total workforce, a figure that is slowly beginning to rise.
False impression Ask Joe or Josephine Public to profile a typical security
officer, the chances are that the first word mentioned will be ‘male’. They are also likely to think that they have a background in the military or police force and possess a decidedly macho personality.
While this is a stereotype that has proven very difficult for the industry to shake off, the reality is that the modern security sector comprises people from a variety of ethnic, racial, religious, and gender backgrounds.
While it is a fact that men represent the vast majority of those working in it, more and more women are gravitating to the field, attracted to the sense of responsibility, fulfilment and achievement that protecting people and property can offer.
Security is one of the fastest growing sectors and offers flexibility, variety and a level of career progression that few others can boast. Many of today’s security companies are dedicated to providing training, qualifications and a clearly defined career path that are designed to appeal to a wide range of individuals.
Positions include ‘front line’ security officer based roles such as door supervisors, commissionaires and security guards. However, a variety of middle and senior management positions also exist, for example, duty managers, contracts managers, regional operation managers and regional directors – and this is where women are starting to make significant inroads.
Past to present The common misconceptions about security have undoubtedly deterred some women from even considering it, perhaps fearing that they will not be treated equally. However, while an element of discrimination existed in the past, great strides have been made to drive this out of the industry – with excellent results.
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