The security industry is becoming ubiquitous with other technical-based professions. The work performed by today’s security field and service technicians involves common knowledge and skills that could easily fit within a Venn diagram including electrical engineering, information technology (IT) and construction management; however, unlike these well-established professions, the security industry lacks defined training and education pathways for roles with similar competency requirements. What has long been a vacant opportunity for adult education in technical occupations is now being addressed at a national level through the expansion of apprenticeship programs.

For example, the Security Industry Association (SIA) recently announced it is developing a new apprenticeship program to help address the security industry’s workforce challenges, diversify the talent pipeline and foster career development opportunities within the industry. This program was created in response to the growing demand for a highly skilled workforce — with finding and attracting qualified talent remaining one of the security industry’s top challenges — as well as the changing landscape of the physical security industry.

The industry has evolved beyond just doors and hardware and is now a highly technical field. The roles in this industry like field service technicians, security systems technicians and technical project managers require on-the-job training, and SIA’s new program will help address this need, focusing on the converged aspects of security systems installation, configuration, networking, maintenance and project management.

“The timing is appropriate for the industry to support an effort to recruit and train new technicians into the security industry — as our business has continued to grow and evolve, we are seeing significant gaps in mature technicians retiring out and new technicians entering our space,” said Meta Head of Global Technical Partnership Engagement Bobby Louissaint. “Programs like the SIA apprenticeship program are being developed to support closing this gap and providing a space that focuses on recruitment, certified training and industry support.”

SIA unveiled its apprenticeship program during the federal government’s Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint, a national campaign to encourage employers, industry associations, labor unions and training providers to explore registered apprenticeship as a recruitment, training and retention strategy and connect with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Office of Apprenticeship to develop new apprenticeship programs or quickly join existing programs. The “sprint” leads up to National Apprenticeship Week, taking place Nov. 14-20 and showcasing the successes and value of registered apprenticeship for rebuilding the economy, advancing racial and gender equity and supporting underserved communities. SIA’s program will be registered with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship and support DOL’s efforts to foster technical apprenticeships across various industries and fields.

Along with launching this apprenticeship program, SIA joins the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech network, a collaborative effort between the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and CompTIA and a DOL standards-based registered apprenticeship program.

“AIR and strategic partner CompTIA are partnering to expand apprenticeships for tech job roles through innovative acceleration strategies,” said AIR Vice President of Workforce Development Beth Brinly. “We are fueled by a deep passion to help people find a pathway to a meaningful career in tech and to help businesses develop apprenticeship programs that will become a key source of talent to meet their workforce needs.”

The initiative will launch in June 2023 as a one-year pilot program, for which SIA will develop the curriculum, and connect job seekers with security systems integrators for paid apprenticeships featuring on-the-job training, learning and preparation for careers in the industry. SIA will administer the program and provide related technical training and coursework, and the initial employer partners participating in the pilot program will be security systems integrators working with major technology companies.

‘Accelerated technological progress demands new approaches to training and education ensuring security systems technicians understand the requirements of network-connected technology and electronic/low-voltage equipment.’

Accelerated technological progress demands new approaches to training and education ensuring security systems technicians understand the requirements of network-connected technology and electronic/low-voltage equipment. As we identify better ways to prepare today’s labor force for careers in security, we have a shared responsibility to foster diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in our outreach strategy to find, hire and develop new talent. Promoting DE&I through career- and education-based initiatives not only helps our industry to expand opportunities for people who have historically faced barriers to gaining well-paying jobs, but also demonstrates progress in fostering belonging and acknowledging the value diverse contributions bring to the security industry. This new apprenticeship program hopes to bring security industry stakeholders together in a way that helps to elevate the profession to a level that meets current knowledge and skill requirements and provides people with a pathway for upward career mobility, while ensuring the composition of our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve.