Grading of security guards
PSIRA grades security guards from A – E with grade E the entry-level grading for beginner security guards and grade A the highest grading for supervisory guards.
Grading of Security Guards: Understanding Classification Standards
In South Africa, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) oversees the classification of security personnel.
These classifications are essential in determining the capacity in which a security guard operates within the industry, with each grade signifying a particular level of expertise and responsibility.
Grade E marks the beginning of a career in security, reserved for novices, while Grade A signifies a high level of proficiency suitable for supervisory roles.
Advancing from Grade E to Grade A in the PSIRA system reflects an escalating scale of capabilities and duties.
Grade D security guards are typically tasked with general access control, whereas Grade C guards have the added responsibility of overseeing higher risk areas and potentially supervising lower-grade security staff.
Progressing to Grades B and A, security personnel take on more complex roles, possibly involving managerial duties and strategic oversight of security operations.
With each progression, guards are expected to showcase more refined skills and a greater depth of understanding in security protocols.
Security Personnel Qualifications by PSIRA
Initial Qualification: Entry Level
This tier is for novices starting in the security industry.
Candidates must possess a minimum educational standard equivalent to Grade 9, and they will learn foundational security tasks including patrols and stationary guard responsibilities.
This is a compulsory step for anyone aspiring to have a leadership role in a security firm.
Development Stage: Access Control Introduction
After achieving entry-level certification, individuals can advance to this stage where the focus shifts to controlling access points such as gates and doors.
This is a necessary qualification for all personnel wishing to maintain PSIRA registration, from ground-level staff to top executives.
Intermediate Certification: Enhanced Access Supervision
Building on the previous grade, this level involves more sophisticated methods of entrance and exit supervision and is aimed at those who have completed the preceding development stage.
It remains essential for all seeking to uphold their association with PSIRA.
Advanced Role: Supervisory Skills
Security professionals at this stage are trained to be frontline supervisors with additional skills in patrol management, access control, and asset protection.
Completion of this stage is a prerequisite for individuals aiming for higher managerial positions within the security industry.
Senior Ranking: Top-Level Supervision
Attaining this peak certification level equips security staff with the competencies required for high-level supervisory roles, enhancing their patrol, access management, and asset protection skills.
As with prior levels, completion is obligatory for those desiring to register with PSIRA, including those in senior executive roles.
Salaries for security personnel are linked to their PSIRA grading, which reflects their responsibilities and the scope of tasks they are qualified to handle.
| PSIRA Grade | Details | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grade E | Entry Requirement | ABET level 3 (equals Grade 9 or Standard 7) |
| Course Content | Duties of a patrolman and security officer, motor guard duties | |
| Note | Entry-level qualification required by owners, directors, and managers of security companies. | |
| Grade D | Entry Requirement | Grade E |
| Course Content | Access and exit control (gates, doors, etc.) | |
| Note | Necessary for all wishing to be registered with PSIRA, including owners, directors, and managers. | |
| Grade C | Entry Requirement | Grade D |
| Course Content | Access and exit control (gates, doors, etc.) | |
| Note | Required for registration with PSIRA for all roles, including owners, directors, and managers. | |
| Grade B | Entry Requirement | Grade C |
| Course Content | Security first-line supervisor, Patrol Officer, Access Control Officer, Asset Protection Officer | |
| Note | Mandatory for all seeking registration with PSIRA, including high-level positions. | |
| Grade A | Entry Requirement | Grade B |
| Course Content | Security supervisor, Patrol Officer, Access Control Officer, Asset Protection Officer, Security first-line supervisor skills | |
| Note | Essential for PSIRA registration, covering all managerial and supervisory roles. |
Security guards with gradings registered with PSIRA can be expected to have the ability to successfully conclude the tasks that are expected form their specific grade.
Security Guard salaries are in accordance with their classification which in turn defines what their duties and responsibilities are.