Welcome to Canada! Now that you are here, you’ll be looking for a career so you can comfortably support your family as you integrate into Canadian culture.
There are many jobs available in Canada, however many of these jobs can be difficult for new Canadians to obtain. Security guard jobs can be a great way to have a rewarding career in an exciting industry.
Why be a Security Guard in Canada?
Security guard jobs can provide new Canadians with a well-paying career and that allows you time to spend with friends and family.
Becoming a security guard may be a great starter job for anyone coming to live in Canada. This is due to the requirements of the position. All one needs to do is take 40-hours of security training (with CPR and first aid as well), take an exam and apply for a security licence. Upon receiving your security license, you will be able to find security guard jobs across the country.
A job as a security guards in Canada pays an average of 35,000 dollars a year, which is a solid wage for an entry level position in Canada. Becoming a security guard can also be a good first step for new Canadians in getting into the Canadian work force.
Competent and trustful security guards are highly sought after by many different companies and organizations across Canada. A security guard job may also be a viable second income or job if one already has a main position at another workplace.
However, before you start applying for security guard jobs, there are some things you need to know.
Security guard career: What new Canadians need to succeed
As a new Canadian, there are some qualities that security guard employers are looking for that you may not have quite yet. However, with a little bit of hard work and determination, you can become a security guard in Canada. For any security position in a Canadian province or territory, you will need proper security training to secure a position as a security officer.
Fluency in English
For some provinces, namely Alberta and British Columbia, you are required to be fluent in the English language. If you are not yet fluent in English, don’t worry! There are plenty of resources that can help you become fluent in English. Some of these resources include:
- English language schools and courses, which can give a certificate to prove your understanding of English. Check out this Ultimate Guide to Learning English in Canada (https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/learn-english-in-canada/) for more information.
- Public libraries often have many English language learning resources for anyone to use! From free English learning programs to books, CD’s and DVD’s.
- Colleges and Universities in major cities often have English learning courses. Look up the major learning institutions in your city and their programs.
- The more you use it, the more comfortable you’ll be with English so consider using it as often as possible at your job.
As is the case for many jobs, the more languages you are fluent in the better. While employers do often require English fluency, make sure that you promote the other languages you are fluent in as a skill that could help you deal with other people.
The Right Attitude
As you may be aware, Canada is a very multicultural country. As a country that prides itself on having a large cultural mosaic new Canadians should have no problem finding people that share a similar background as yourself. However, if you want to successfully integrate into Canadian society and the workforce, it is very important that you interact with others outside of your own cultural familiarity. Interacting with people from other cultures can help new Canadians integrate into Canada’s multicultural society. This means you will better be able to understand how other people in Canada operate, which will allow you a greater perspective and give you the tools to thrive in any Canadian social environment.
Having a mentality of wanting to learn more about others rather than pushing different people away will also give you a great boost in becoming a security guard in Canada. Caring about others can help in calming a tense situation that may occur in a security position, so employers hiring security guards often look for this skill. Interacting with the many different people you will meet in Canada will help you an incredible amount, and as you have read here in more ways than one.
Want to meet and make new Canadian friends? Consider these resources:
- Local Meetup groups
- Recreational sports
- New Canadian Clubs
- Newcomers Canada
- Local community associations
Security Training
In order to become a security guard, you will need to complete 40 hours of security training and have a clean criminal record in Canada. You will also need to complete your first aid and CPR training, as these courses range from being assets to be being required in order to be employed as a security guard. Taking these courses may be daunting for new Canadians, but if you can speak English and have the right attitude, as previously mentioned, you should have no problem at all. It should also be said that while all provinces require you to have 40 hours of security training, some provinces have different requirements. For example, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and British Columbia require you to be 19, while all other provinces and territories set the age requirement at 18. For this reason, look further into your province’s security licence requirements.
Security Guard requirements by province:
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
- Ontario
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- New Brunswick
- Newfound & Labrador
After you have completed these courses, you will need to take a provincial security exam. Make sure to study before the exam, as you need to score 80% or higher in order to pass. Once you have passed the exam, you can apply for a security licence and start looking for a security guard job!
If you are looking for a reliable security training program that can fit into your busy schedule, consider our approved program. The entire course can be taken online and allows you to learn at your own pace. We even help you book and prep for the provinical exam. To learn more, visit us here (https://guardtraining.ca/professional-security-guard-training)
The steps to getting a Security Guard license are:
- Take an approved 40 hour Guard Training – Click here.
- Pass your Provincial Exam – We can help you book and prep for the exam.
- Apply for your License – We can provide additional information if needed.
- Wait for your license to be mailed to you.
- Take a look at job openings in your area.
Go out and get started!
New Canadians bring a lot to our country – work ethic, determination, perseverance, and a willingness to get the job done. These are the exact qualities that will lead you to success in any field, and a career as a security guard is often the perfect choice.
Canadian citizens love to support our new country-people and we certainly respect those who wear uniforms and protect us each day. If becoming a security guard is a goal for your success, then hopefully this article has helped that goal become clearer and shown you that it is within your reach!
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