Security systems installer Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Security systems installer

Hours

35 per week
Starting salary

£16,000 + per year

Security systems installers fit and service electronic systems that detect intruders and control access to buildings or sites. They also fit alarms in houses and at business premises. If you are keen on electronics and want to use your practical skills, this could be a great job choice for you.

To be a security installer, you will need to have good problem-solving skills. You’ll need to have good communication skills. You will also need to be honest and trustworthy.

You will not usually need specific qualifications. Some employers may expect you to have GCSEs or similar qualifications in English, maths and science, or a technical subject.

The work

As a security systems installer, your tasks could involve:

working to security system plans prepared by a security surveyor or designer
installing the security system and connecting it to control panels
using wire-free or radio system links, and other technologies such as infrared and fibre optics
testing the system and explaining to the customer or operator how to use it
checking and servicing existing systems
responding to call-outs to repair faulty systems.

Your work may also include fitting complex security systems, such as closed circuit television (CCTV), access control, and integrated systems.

Hours

You would usually work from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Overtime and weekend work is also often available. With some employers you may work on a rota that provides 24-hour cover.

You would work both indoors and outdoors on a variety of buildings. Your job is likely to involve lifting equipment, and possibly working at heights.

Income

Starting salaries can be between £16,000 and £20,000 a year. Experienced and specialist installers can earn up to £30,000 a year. Shifts and overtime payment can increase income.

Self-employed installers and those doing contract work usually earn more.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You will not usually need specific qualifications, although some employers may expect you to have GCSEs (A-C) or similar qualifications in English, maths and science, or a technical subject.

You could prepare for this work by taking a City & Guilds Certificate in Security and Emergency Alarm Systems. To do the course, you may need to be either working in the security alarm industry or have an electrical or electronics background. Check with individual colleges for details.

You will need normal colour vision and security clearance (a police check) before you can start work as an installer. It would probably help you if you have a driving licence and previous experience of electrical work or electronics.

Training and development

You could work towards NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Providing Security, Emergency and Alarm Systems.

You may also be able to take short courses in specific security systems and products, run by private training companies. The Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) runs training schemes for their approved companies, which you may be able to do.

See the Skills for Security and SSAIB websites for details of courses.

Skills and knowledge

To be a security systems installer, you will need to have:

good practical skills for using a variety of hand and power tools
an interest in electronics
the ability to follow plans and instructions
good problem-solving skills
an accurate and methodical approach
good communication skills for explaining how systems operate
the ability to work alone without supervision as well as part of a team
honesty and trustworthiness.

More information

Skills for Security (Opens new window)
Security House
Barbourne Road
Worcester
WR1 1RS
Tel: 0845 075 0111
www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk

Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) (Opens new window)
www.ssaib.org

National Security Inspectorate (Opens new window)
www.nsi.org.uk

Opportunities

Jobs can be advertised through the local and national press, in Jobcentre Plus offices and on the Directgov website (jobseekers page).

You could also contact employers directly. For a list of approved companies, see the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) websites.

Directgov (jobseekers page)
National Security Inspectorate
Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)

With experience you could set up your own company, or progress to supervising teams of sales, installation or maintenance staff. You may also specialise in areas such as designing new systems.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The electrotechnical industry is part of the building services engineering sector, represented by SummitSkills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: plumbing; heating and ventilating; air conditioning and refrigeration; and electrical and electronic servicing. The building services engineering sector as a whole employs over 600,000 people in over 60,000 businesses. Of these, 85% have between 1 and 5 employees, with most of the remainder employing between 6 and 250 workers. Very few have more than 250 employees. The sector has an annual turnover of around £17 billion in the UK. Building services engineering is continually adapting to meet technological challenges and plays a central role in environmental technology developments, particularly around renewable energy and micro‐generation.

The electrotechnical industry works on both domestic and major engineering projects installing, commissioning and maintaining technology in all types of building, including:

complex projects such as shopping centres, sports stadiums, hospitals and new housing projects
advanced data‐cabling, data‐handling systems and fibre‐optic systems
computer controlled building management systems
renewable energy systems
control equipment for complex industrial manufacturing and processing

Key facts:

There are around 23,000 businesses in the industry employing 135,000 people, mostly white male.
90% of businesses employ fewer than 10 people.
The number of people employed in the industry is forecast to fall due to the economic climate.

Jobs in the industry range from: installation electricians, electrotechnical panel builders, machine repair and rewind electricians, instrumentation electricians, maintenance electricians, highway systems electricians.

National and regional data

East Midlands – There are 12,241 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 600.

East of England – There are 18,490 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 920.

London – There are 19,759 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 980.

North East – There are 7,077 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 350.

North West – There are 15,411 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 770.

South East – There are 19,663 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 980.

South West – There are 11,790 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 590.

West Midlands – There are 14,876 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 740.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 15,800 people employed in the industry. The number of new people required each year to replace those who retire or leave the industry is around 790.