Security industry calls for more women to join

There are calls for more women to work in licensed security as industry figures say crowds at concerts and sporting events have become more diverse.

The Security and Stewarding Academy, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, runs in Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Over the last three years, almost 1,000 people have been trained in skills to work in the sector.

But women are said to be significantly underrepresented, making up only about 10% of licensed security professionals nationally.

The initiative in the West Midlands provides people on low income or those who have been out of work for a while, with the skills and also qualifications they need to get a job in the field.

The scheme's training provider Pilot IMS works with community organisations and Jobcentres, including those in the most disadvantaged areas.

Chloe Lycett, who after going through the training secured a job as a steward at Walsall Football Club, said: "Completing the training has given me new skills and confidence and even my friends and family have noticed that I'm better motivated and more willing to take on challenges.

"In a generally male-dominated industry it's good to see that more women are getting trained up and involved and I have found that I'm treated with equal respect.

"My advice to any women looking to get a job in security is not to be scared – you can do it."

Shirley Griffiths, head of commercial training at Pilot IMS, said that in 2024/25, women accounted for 12% of new starters on its programmes.

"Whenever I visit the NEC and other venues, I see females we've trained now stepping into supervisory roles and building real careers - that's when you know the model works," she said.

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands, said: "I want everyone in the region to have access to the skills and training they need to secure a job and thrive, regardless of factors such as their gender".

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