Print version Recommend this page Press release
19/ 2008
Bonn, 08.05.2008
Keeping guard: New recognized occupations for the safety and security sector
Protecting individuals, buildings, valuables, plants and installations, taking preventive measures and, not least of all, actively averting danger when necessary: These are a few of the core tasks performed by persons employed in the private security services sector. Through their work, they support the state in the discharge of its duties and make an important contribution to internal security. To ensure that this sector has a sufficient reservoir of qualified young workers on which to draw, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has developed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology a two-year training programme for the recognized occupation Servicekraft für Schutz und Sicherheit (approximate translation: safety and security service worker) and updated the existing three-year training programme for the recognized occupation Safety and Security Specialist. Experts from day-to-day company practice were also involved in the development of these two training profiles. Training for both occupations will be available starting 1 August 2008.
Qualified Servicekräfte für Schutz und Sicherheit and safety and security specialists help maintain public, company and private order. Following completion of their training, individuals in these two occupations have a broad range of employment opportunities with good prospects for the future. Positions in a wide variety of fields in the corporate security sector or government service are possible. Looking at the transport sector, such individuals can find employment in the security departments at train stations, airports and companies providing public transport services where they would be in charge of, for example, screening passengers, luggage or handbags in close cooperation with government agencies.
Persons in these occupations have a broad range of duties:
- They carry out security measures and preventive hazard prevention.
- They assess potential hazards and initiate appropriate security measures.
- They check and monitor compliance with facility-related safety and security regulations, most particularly in the area of industrial safety, fire prevention, environmental protection and data protection.
- They check to ensure that safety and security equipment and devices are functioning properly and initiate corrective measures in the event of defects, malfunctions or similar problems.
- They are in a position to respond at any time to the particular situation or individual and are able to act as circumstances require.
- They are team-oriented and customer-oriented and work closely with other service sectors.
Since safety and security specialists usually work autonomously and on their own responsibility, they
- are also involved in drafting bids and processing orders.
- investigate, clarify and document security-related conditions and situations and
- track trends in the sector and assess the potential impact they may have on the range of services their company offers.
Individuals who have completed the two-year training programme to become Servicekraft für Schutz und Sicherheit can continue their training by enrolling in the third year of the training programme for the occupation Safety and Security Specialist. Once they have completed the third year and have a year of experience working as a safety and security specialist, they are eligible for continuing training that leads to formal qualification as a Master Safety and Security Specialist.
The private safety and security industry has developed into an important factor behind Germany's attractiveness as a location for business, industry and investment. According to association information, the security services industry generated some € 4.3 billion in revenue in 2006. The sector encompasses approximately 3,300 firms which provide jobs for around 171,000 persons. More than 2,100 trainees had enrolled in the programme for the occupation Safety and Security Specialist up to the year 2006. Continued growth is generally expected in all areas. Looking at the medium term, demand from private customers is expected to post the fastest growth.
Point of contact for further information at BIBB:
Herbert Tutschner; Tel.: +49 (0) 228 107 2621; E-mail: tutschner@bibb.de
