Porter/Security Attendant

Also known as:

Security Attendant

Introduction

Porters/security attendants work in students' halls of residence, offices and some private apartment blocks. They have a range of duties related to the security and maintenance of the building. Security duties may include patrolling the site and monitoring visitors. The job often involves general caretaking work.

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Work Activities

Porters/security attendants (also known as concierges) have a range of duties concerned with the security and maintenance of buildings, such as students' halls of residence, offices, industrial buildings and some blocks of flats.

Security is an important part of the work. Porters are often based in offices or at desks close to the main entrance. They monitor visitors, both face-to-face and by CCTV, and might have to check entrance passes. Some porters keep and issue keys.

Most porters patrol the site, making sure that the building, equipment and grounds are secure. They might have to open and lock gates, doors and barriers. They usually look after firefighting and other safety equipment.

Their work often includes general caretaking. Porters supervise the operation of heating systems. They do general maintenance jobs and minor repairs. They report major problems. Most porters do some cleaning, for which they might use heavy electrical cleaning and polishing machines.

Collecting and disposing of refuse is also usually part of the work.

When there are deliveries to the building, porters check in and sign for goods, then move them to the appropriate place. They might have to move furniture, set up rooms for meetings or other functions, and erect and take down equipment. They might deal with phone calls and deliver mail inside the building.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should be mature, trustworthy and reliable, with a conscientious attitude to security and safety. You need to be practical, with good hand skills for using tools and equipment.

You should be fit and active, as you will have to lift, carry and spend long periods on your feet.

It is important that you can work without close supervision. You could spend quite a lot of time alone, especially on night shift. You should like working with people - a polite and friendly approach is helpful.

Porters must be flexible and enjoy doing a variety of jobs. You might need to drive and you might have to wear a uniform.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for porters/security attendants vary, depending on the employer and duties.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Porters/security attendants earn in the range of £220 - £240 a week, rising to £260 - £300. Higher earners can make around £380 a week.

Porters/security attendants work a basic 37-39 hour week, which might include shifts, nights, weekends and public holidays. You might have to be on-call for emergencies. Actual hours worked can be long and are sometimes subject to the Working Time Regulations. You might be able to work part time.

Where you are responsible for supervising a block of flats, you are sometimes expected to live in one of the flats in the block.

There are jobs throughout the UK, with local authorities, government departments, educational establishments, offices, private apartment blocks, housing associations and some firms in industry and commerce.

Jobs are usually advertised in local newspapers and Jobcentre Plus offices.

The prospects of promotion are not good, unless your building is one of a group of buildings owned by the same organisation. If this is the case, you might become a supervisor.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have experience of similar work, as a hotel porter, for example.

Relevant skills and abilities gained, for example, in voluntary work in a hospital helping the portering and estates staff, can be useful. Some evidence of practical skills can also be useful, and a driving licence might be needed for some jobs.

• 24% of porters/security attendants work part-time.
• 4% have flexible hours.

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