Occupational Certificate: Security Officer

NQF Level: NQF Level 03
Minimum Credits: 86

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the required knowledge, practical skills and workplace-based learning to prepare the learner to operate as a Security Officer. A Security Officer patrols, guards and monitors industrial, commercial, state and private property, railway facilities or other facilities to deter, detect, and investigate criminal and illegal activities, and to maintain secure environments within the ambit of the law.

Qualified learners will be able to:

  • Patrol premises to prevent and detect signs of unauthorised entry or infractions of rules.
  • Respond to emergency alarms, react to complaints received and investigate incidents.
  • Control access and egress to allow authorised entry and prevent unauthorised entry.
  • Use, inspect, maintain and report faulty security equipment.
  • Write security reports, complete registers and take statements.

Rationale:

The security industry is globally recognised as a largest and fastest growing industry spurred on by the perception of increasing crime affecting individuals, business and government. The security officer occupation is a highly regulated occupation internationally and individuals wishing to practice as security officers must be licenced by the regulatory body. The demand to protect goods and services surges and with progressing technology this requires qualified and competent security officers to deter, detect, and investigate criminal and illegal activities, and to maintain secure environments.

This Occupational Certificate: Security Officer is an entry-level qualification and typical learners include individuals who wants to enter the security industry or those already working in the industry without a formal qualification. It will provide learners with the required knowledge, skills and competencies in all aspects of legal, regulatory, procedural and visible security operations to operate in a professional manner.

The qualification contributes to the development of qualified security officers in the country and providers career opportunities within the security environment. Qualifying learners will be employed by public or private security agencies, residential complexes and homes, educational, cultural, financial and health institutions, businesses and retail establishments, investigation service companies, transportation facilities, and organisations throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed. The qualification provides progression possibilities in related occupations to security related qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The related occupation which is Security Officer also provides for the following specialised skills which are developed into part-qualifications to expand employment opportunities in the areas of specialisations.

The three part qualifications related to this qualification are:

  • Patrol activities.
  • Access control.
  • Asset protection.

The qualification provides progression possibilities in security related occupations and qualifications. The related occupation also provides for the specialised skills which were developed into part-qualifications to expand employment opportunities in the various areas of specialisation. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

  1. Conduct patrol within a designated security environment.
  2. Conduct access and egress control.
  3. Identify and respond to emergency situations in a security situation environment.
  4. Complete written reports of occurrences, duties performed and comprehensive descriptions of observations. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal, vertical and diagonal articulation options.

  • Horizontal articulation:
     National Certificate: General Security Practices, Level 3.
  • Vertical articulation:
     Occupational Certificate: Health Products Information Officer, NQF Level 5.
  • Diagonal articulation:
     Further Education and Training Certificate: Dog Handler, Level 4. 
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