Private security officers who meet training requirements and can perform higher job roles will now be able to progress through the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) ranks within a shorter period.
This comes after the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC) reviewed and recommended to the Government the new Progressive Wage Model training and placement requirements for the industry on 16 November 2018. The Government accepted the recommendations on the same day.
The STC was formed in September 2013 to address challenges in the private security industry.
With the review, security officers – except for chief security officers – will be able to progress to the next rank if they have completed the required training and can clearly demonstrate that they possess the required skills and competencies.
Revised Criterion
| PWM Rank | Current Criterion | Revised Criterion |
| Senior Security Officer (SSO) | 1 year as SO | 6 months as SO |
| Security Supervisor (SS) | 2 years as SSO | 1 year as SSO |
| Senior Security Supervisor (SSS) | 2 years as SS | 1 year 6 months as SS |
| Chief Security Officer (CSO) | 2 years as SSS | 2 years as SSS
(no change) |
Explaining the need for the review, STC said that security agencies had given feedback that they were unable to promote or hire capable individuals due to the minimum number of years of experience security officers must have before progressing to the next rank.
“The year-in-grade requirements were developed to ensure security officers have sufficient job experience before taking on higher roles, and the STC believes that they can be better calibrated,” said STC.
Other Recommendations
The Government also accepted other recommendations made by STC, one of which was to provide greater clarity on how officers can be deployed.
This includes allowing security supervisors to manage security command centres that have a fewer number of security personnel, a role only senior security supervisors can fill currently.
A new place-and-train programme was also recommended by the STC to help mid-career switchers with supervisory experience enter the industry as security supervisors. Currently, even those with supervisory experience start their careers as security officers.
According to STC, candidates must still meet the same skill requirements as all other security supervisors and undergo an assessment at the end of the programme.
The cluster also recommended that the programme be open to high potential in-service security officers who are nominated by their employers.
Greater Clarity for Ex-Uniformed Personnel
Additionally, STC also sought greater clarity over the exemption and emplacement criteria for ex-uniformed service personnel who want to make a switch to the security industry.
The cluster recommended that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) aligns their existing training courses more closely to the PWM training requirements.
STC said that the SPF should provide a more precise job-placement guide for ex-uniformed officers who wish to enter the security industry. Considerations for placement should include relevant vocational background, years of service and previous rank appointments.
STC Reviews PWM Regularly
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari, who also chairs STC, said that the cluster regularly reviews the Security PWM to ensure it remains relevant to the industry.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the feedback from the industry as it is implemented on the ground. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure win-win outcomes for all.
“We believe the new recommendations will provide greater flexibility to security agencies and better career prospects for security officers, and ultimately pave the way for the industry to be an attractive one offering viable and meaningful careers for workers.”