GMS – Creating Opportunities for Women in Security
GMS proudly launched our Women In Security campaign in 2022, to raise awareness of the fulfilling opportunities on offer to female staff in the security and investigations sector, at a time when demand for Security Personnel is high.
We want to challenge the outdated perception of physically imposing male guards working long, unsociable hours in risky situations. The modern security officer is a diligent security-minded and customer service professional with excellent decision-making skills and an eye for detail. There are many people from other sectors who have been directly affected by the pandemic, such as travel and hospitality, who will have these transferable skills which would be invaluable to our workforce.
We launched our Women In Security campaign as we prepared to provide security services for prominent events which were held in the West Midlands in 2022, but following campaign success, we can now offer permanent roles at various client sites across the UK to even more women.
We recognise the need to train and support females coming into the sector and are happy to talk to anyone who is interested about the best route for them. There may be funding available to help those who need retraining or a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence to get into the security sector.
A Day in the Life of a Security Officer
Interview – Frederica
Tell me about your career before you worked in the security sector
I was initially a freelance Chef but after 25 years, I decided it was time for a change as I didn’t want to work in the catering industry forever.
I was offered a job at DPD, as a Deck-hand, which involved loading vehicles ready for delivery. During my time with DPD, I was promoted to an agency rep, which involved being a liaison between the employment agency and staff.
I wasn’t afraid to speak up, which was probably why I was chosen! I enjoyed this role for four years.
How did you get into security? What attracted you to the role?
In 2022, I started to think about changing career but I knew I didn’t want to go back into catering. A friend was applying for a security job at the Commonwealth Games and he told me about the opportunity to get my security badge funded through a local College and if I passed, I could apply for a job at the Games too.
I was really excited about the Commonwealth Games coming to my home City so this was a massive attraction and I was intrigued to see what the role actually entailed. Growing up, I’d seen security guards in supermarkets or on the doors of nightclubs but this sounded like a different type of environment. It was a chance to see a different aspect of the Games, which didn’t involve food.
After I passed my course and got awarded by SIA License, I was offered a job with GMS, working at one of the Athletes Villages. I worked the night shifts throughout the Games which involved searching athletes, visitors and vehicles before granting them access to the Village, patrolling the perimeter, looking for suspicious activity or signs of criminal damage and reporting any concerns to my Supervisor.
I worked in a team of around 30 people which was a mixture of those with security experience and some with as little experience as myself. I realised I was using the customer service skills gained from my previous career alongside what I’d learnt during my security training.
I thoroughly enjoyed this role and definitely saw myself working in security again. After the Games, there were limited security roles available but after a few weeks, I received a call from the GMS Manager who I worked with at the Athletes Village. He had moved to a permanent role at another GMS site and was recruiting a reception/security officer role to work at an aluminium manufacturer in Birmingham. I jumped at the chance, especially knowing I’d be working with some of the same crew from the Games and I’ve been here six months now!
What useful skills did you bring with you from your life before security?
People skills are key because I deal with people throughout the day.
Customer service skills are also really important because I am the first point of contact for anyone coming onto the site so those who have not been here before need help knowing where to go, putting them through the site induction etc.
It can also get really busy so I have to be organised, something I learnt very quickly in the catering industry.
I’ve also had to use my ability to adapt because visitors, drivers and contractors all need a slightly different approach and as we have improved some of the gatehouse processes, I have needed to change my ways of working.
I have been able to use my natural empathy which is relevant to the softer side of security which we don’t always think of first when we visualise a security officer.
Do you see security as a long-term, secure career? Why?
Yes, I would love to stay here because I get on with everyone in my team, my manager has been very supportive and I enjoy interacting with the client – everyone from the Directors to the cleaners, I feel part of their team.
I’ve been here six months now and following the initial training, things have fallen into place and I feel I am doing a good job.
What do you like about working in the security sector?
It’s more about customer service than what you may perceive the role to be. We’ve all seen the security guard on the door of a nightclub, not letting people in but this is a very different side of the industry.
I have a totally different perception of the job now – There are more women than you realise and as we are naturally more empathetic, we have a calming influence on a team.
If you are willing to be vigilant, empathetic and direct, this is the perfect job.
What are the key challenges for women working in security roles?
The main challenge is overcoming the initial fear and perceptions of the role but as long as you don’t let the image intimidate you, it can be a powerful feeling, knowing you are working in a man’s world and doing an equal job.
Despite what people may think, being strong-willed is more important than being physically strong so women are ideal candidates for the security industry.
History would suggest it’s a male dominated industry, but now I am in the sector I feel empowered and equal to the men I work alongside.
I feel comfortable and relaxed in a security team.
Is there anything else you think is important for other women to know about working in security?
It’s worth knowing you have to be strong-willed and driven to succeed. You have to challenge yourself and stand your ground, whilst still being able to behave like a woman.
Once you overcome the initial fear and start training, you realise it’s not what you perceived the role to be. It’s much more about the customer experience than being a ‘knuckle-dragger’!
Interview – Kat
Tell me about your career before you worked in the security sector
I was a full-time mom and when I decided to start looking for employment, a friend recommended security roles so I went and got my door supervisor licence and from then on, have always worked in security roles. I started working on the doors and events until I gradually moved into more static roles. I have worked in the sector for ten years.
How did you get into security? What attracted you to the role?
I knew I would enjoy working in security because it gave me the opportunity to work in lots of different locations, get to know other parts of the country and meet lots of different people.
What useful skills did you bring with you from your life before security?
I have always been quite good at being able to defuse situations and this can be a helpful skill.
Do you see security as a long-term, secure career? Why?
Yes, definitely, I have worked through the pandemic and although our site is quieter, I haven’t had the worry of my sector being directly affected.
What do you like about working in the security sector?
Working with lots of different people, each driver or visitor has a different story to tell. I have also made a number of new friends because there is a strong team spirit and we all look out for each other.
What are the key challenges for women working in security roles?
I haven’t really faced any challenges because I am quite outgoing and enjoy dealing with people.
Is there anything else you think is important for other women to know about working in security?
You’ve got to be a people person and happy communicating with people.
Interview – Ellie
Tell me about your career before you worked in the security sector
After leaving college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I had a series of admin roles to give me an insight into different sectors. My last admin role included spending some time in Poland and then I moved into a customer support role. I also progressed to a team leader position.
How did you get into security? What attracted you to the role?
After having my son and returning to work, I felt it was time to change career. I wanted something local which would fit in with my family so when I saw the GMS advert to work at Halesowen BID, I considered my customer service work experience and I decided to go for it.
Although I didn’t have much time to prepare for the interview, I was delighted when I was offered the job!
What useful skills did you bring with you from your life before security?
Customer service skills first and foremost but also strong administration skills, being able to follow processes and problem-solving.
I have also picked up new skills including First Aid Training and Mental Health Awareness.
Do you see security as a long-term, secure career? Why?
Yes, I love what I do and definitely see it as a long-term career. If an opportunity to progress within GMS arises, I would really like to go for it.
What do you like about working in the security sector?
Working with people and feeling like I’m making a difference; I am often the first point of contact for problems in the town and people know they can come to me for anything – if I can’t help, I generally know someone who can!
What are the key challenges for women working in security roles?
I can sometimes get too involved i.e., when we have shop-lifters in the town.
I have also faced a challenging situation with a member of the public who had mental health issues but GMS are supporting me with some training to help me manage this sort of situation in the future.
Within the ambassadorial part of my role, I have to face knock-backs from business people who do not understand the BID objectives.
Is there anything else you think is important for other women to know about working in security?
If women out there are thinking about a career in security, I’d say just go for it, especially if you enjoy working with people.
Interview - Sihaus
How long have you worked in security
16 years
Tell me about a typical day at work
The job has felt very normal to me because I am doing what I love. Supporting customers entering my site for meetings, interviews or work. I help the business keep safe from theft and manage the internal systems, logging vehicles and parts that enter and leave site.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I love the customer facing part of my role. Engaging and getting to know people on my reception duties is fulfilling because there are some very nice visitors that come to site, and it is always nice to know you have helped them go about their day efficiently. I also like engaging with the client and helping support the security aspect of my role managing site entry and egress of contractors, employees and visitors to site and the policies and procedures.
What is most challenging about your role?
The most challenging thing is meeting the expectations of all the different visitors to site. Everybody has their own perspective on what they expect when visiting site and is my job to make sure they all leave with a positive experience.
Why do you think women are well-suited to security roles?
Women are well suited to the face to face aspect of security roles and can have an easy to do business with, approachable manner that is perfect for the role.
Would you recommend the security sector to other women? Why?
I would because you can find whatever pace you are looking for within security whether it be relaxed customer facing role or a fast paced environment to challenge yourself and develop. There is also good flexibility within security and you get the opportunity to use your own initiative. There is also room for furthering yourself and progressing within the job.
A Day in the Life of a Security Officer – Frederica
Tell me about a typical day at work
The main purpose of my job is to control access to the site so every visitor, employee and contractor sees me first when they come to the reception. I am here to make sure they get a friendly welcome, whilst following the induction and health & safety rules.
I hand out keys, respond to emails, answer the phone, liaise with managers and help people who have forgot their ID badge.
On a regular basis, I work alongside colleagues to patrol the site perimeter and report anything suspicious. Whilst on patrol, we liaise with staff about any security concerns they have or to reinforce health & safety rules.
I am also learning how to operate the weighbridge so we can weigh trucks before they enter site and when they leave. This involves talking to drivers and making them aware of what’s going to happen, how long it will take etc.
At times, it can get quite busy so I have to prioritise booking people in, answering the phone and responding to urgent emails.
What do you enjoy about your role?
Multi-tasking – I enjoy the initial rush and then feeling afterwards that I have managed things well.
The role is more interesting than I originally thought it would be and there is a lot of variation.
What is most challenging about your role?
The PC-side of things because my PC skills when I started were limited.
I am getting better and things are coming together nicely now.
Why do you think women are well-suited to security roles?
Most women are naturally empathetic so we bring the softer skills to a security team or a situation. We are less likely to fly off the handle, more analytical when resolving problems. Nine times out of ten, we have a calm reaction to situations which can help defuse things quickly.
Would you recommend the security sector to other women? Why?
Yes, absolutely!
We still need more women to join us, we can do everything a man can do so there is no reason why we can’t have a more balanced workforce!
Is there anything else you think is important for other women to know about working in security?
I’d recommend any woman thinking of joining the sector ignore your historical perceptions of the ‘door-man’ image – There is a different side of security which can be very appealing to women.
A Day in the Life of a Security Officer – Kat
Tell me about a typical day at work
I work in a gatehouse at an automotive site so the main part of my role is ensuring only authorised vehicles and visitors get onto the site. On arrival, I book vehicles and visitors onto site, following our strict security process. On their way out, we search vehicles and check their paperwork before they leave the site.
As I am the first point of contact, I ensure each visitor is treated well and if they are not authorised or do not have the correct paperwork, I make sure they understand what is required whilst dealing with them in a professional manner.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy the really busy days and when I have lots of different people to talk to.
What is most challenging about your role?
I don’t really come across any challenges because I follow our process and most things seem to fall into place.
Why do you think women are well-suited to security roles?
Women are able to diffuse a situation and are generally good with people. In a confrontational situation, a woman is less likely to get a physical response.
Would you recommend the security sector to other women? Why?
Yes, it would be really good to see more women in security and because women can be seen as more approachable in certain situations, I would definitely recommend it as a career.
Is there anything else you think is important for other women to know about working in security?
It can be long hours i.e, 12 hours and you do have to be able to work shifts.
A Day in the Life of a Security Officer – Ellie
Tell me about a typical day at work
As I am based in the community office in the centre of Halesowen town, I leave the door open as soon as I get in each morning and people start coming to see me straight away. This includes members of the public, shop owners and the elderly. Once I have dealt with the first flurry of enquiries, I go out to see the local teams and shop owners to check everything is okay and deal with any issues they may have. Via the radio system, I am in touch with other members of the Business Improvement District (BID) so I am aware of and can assist with any issues being experienced in the town. I also water the plants outside our offices and take care of any admin which is needed.
I regularly liaise with the neighbourhood policing team and when I first started my role, they trained me so I could use and interact with the radio scheme properly.
What do you enjoy about your role?
No two days are the same so everyone who comes to see me needs a slightly different type of support and I enjoy the variation. I have a strong leader, Vicky who has helped me learn new skills and it is reassuring to know I am supported in my role. I also feel part of the BID and what we’re trying to achieve in the town and love the recognition our team get from key stakeholders about what we have achieved to date.
What is most challenging about your role?
I can sometimes get too involved i.e., when we have shop-lifters in the town.
I have also faced a challenging situation with a member of the public who had mental health issues but GMS are supporting me with some training to help me manage this sort of situation in the future.
Within the ambassadorial part of my role, I have to face knock-backs from business people who do not understand the BID objectives.
Why do you think women are well-suited to security roles?
Women naturally have a caring nature and as we are looking after people, my role comes quite naturally.
Would you recommend the security sector to other women? Why?
Yes, especially if they are people-oriented. When people ask me what I do in my role, they’re quite surprised when I tell them how varied my job is.
This role has given me some niche experience which can only help me progress in the future.
Is there anything else you think is important for other women to know about working in security?
I think you’ve got to have a back-bone because you come across people from all walks of life so you have to be able to stand up for yourself.
