Sandwell College has partnered with leading security specialist GMS Group to encourage women to take up careers in security and tackle an industry-wide shortage of trained female staff.
The College has begun working with Black Country-based GMS and other key partners to engage with wider audiences in an awareness drive about the opportunities for female staff to follow careers in security gatehouse roles, public facing events and technology-based duties including CCTV monitoring as well as the scope for management development.
Sandwell College is supporting the Women In Security campaign by promoting the opportunities in security for female students and women looking to retrain. The College and GMS are offering training to women looking to secure their licence, whose work in other sectors was hit by Covid-19, such as hospitality and travel, and who will bring transferable skills. Subject to availability, the training course can be offered during school hours to avoid women having to arrange childcare during their training period.
Marie Mathews, Head of Adult Skills, Traineeships and Kickstart at Sandwell College, said: “We are pleased to promote Women In Security as it opens new opportunities for employment and skills at a time when many women are looking at the career options ahead of them.
“Working with GMS, we understand they are working hard to break down the stereotypes around protection work being only about muscle. Women can enjoy careers in a variety of disciplines with regular work ahead of them. We are recommending people look at security careers because if they enjoy it, the industry is calling out for licensed security officers and they will be in high demand.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has welcomed the campaign as part of his jobs plan to get 100,000 people back into good-quality employment within two years. With high-profile public events heading to the West Midlands in the next 12 months, women who begin new careers in the sector can take up opportunities to work in exciting settings while building up their experience for future careers.
Based in Tividale, Oldbury, GMS employs 500 staff delivering practical security solutions across the UK for leading brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, CEMEX UK, Neovia, Kerry Foods and Avison Young.
GMS HR Director Rachel Freeman said: “Building on a strong partnership with Sandwell College, GMS is able to reach a wider, engaged audience through Women In Security to raise awareness of the fulfilling opportunities for female staff working in the sector. There is an industry-wide shortage of female staff and we will play our part to address the imbalance.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “The teamwork between GMS and partners like Sandwell College is a great example of the work that can be done to help retrain people who are out of work, alongside the wide range of training courses the West Midlands Combined Authority is funding. I would encourage everyone who is looking for a job, or is worried about their future, to see what training opportunities are out there right now.”
To find out about career opportunities in the sector, and a guaranteed interview once the training is successfully completed, email [email protected]
