Friday, 16th July 2021

I consider the use of ELCAS an excellent opportunity for the service leaver to receive the training and qualifications they require relevant to the role within the private security industry suited to them.

Having spent a full career in the armed forces, I believed that when I hung my combat jacket up for the last time, a career in the private security industry would be more suitable to me because of the knowledge, skills and experience I had accumulated. However, my military qualifications would not mean any worth to potential employers (I can understand how 14 years of sniper skills and experience is not appropriate within the world of civilian employment). I had little time to gather civilian qualifications whilst still serving in the military because of operational deployments and commitments, towards the end of my military career I found that was a hard bullet to bite.

In my 18 years working within the private security industry, mainly as a close protection operative, then advancing to management which involved planning and commanding close protection operation to eventually providing training for SIA licenced qualifications, and intermediate to advanced firearms training. All my military skills throughout this period have been brought into play.

There is always a question buzzing about, especially within the close protection circuit “do you have to be former military to work as a close protection operative”. My answer to that question is always “no, not necessarily”. However, former armed forces personnel will have picked up throughout their career and maintained and developed experience ranging from technical, operative, managerial skills to strategic and consulting abilities. which would be a great advantage to a potential career within the private security industry.

Service leavers have the experience and the mindset for employment within the private security industry in specialist areas such as Maritime, Close Protection, including those within hostile environments.

Service leavers have other transferrable skills such as vocational skills and a wide range of soft skills. Such as:

• Communication skills practised with internal and external stakeholders
• Organisational skills
• Leadership & management skills
• High degree of professionalism
• Problem solving
• Health & Safety, Security awareness and best practice
• Team working

The list can be quite lengthy. Service leavers have an advantage these days which I did not have, and that is ELCAS. What is ELCAS?

ELCAS is the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service scheme which is in place to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. Under the scheme, members of the military can receive financial support to contribute towards their higher-level learning. This is designed to support the progression of a military career or with moving into a new career upon leaving the Forces.

I consider the use of ELCAS an excellent opportunity for the service leaver to receive the training and qualifications they require relevant to the role within the private security industry suited to them.

For all you service leavers give a potential career within the private security industry some consideration. You are more than welcome to discuss this and security training courses etc with us directly to myself Henry Pattison or visit our website mailto:www.tridentmanor.com or please call us on 01325 734850 and ask for me, Henry.