5 High-Paying Security Jobs That Require an AST License
Stop settling for minimum wage. Upgrade your license to unlock the premium job market in Surrey and Vancouver.
If you currently hold a Basic Security Training (BST) license, you know the reality: many entry-level jobs pay close to minimum wage. You might be watching a condo gate in Whalley or sitting at a desk in an office building. While these jobs are easy, they rarely offer financial growth.
However, the security industry in British Columbia has a "hidden tier" of employment. These are specialized roles that pay significantly more—often $25 to $35 per hour. The gatekeeper to these jobs? The Advanced Security Training (AST) certificate.
At RupIELTS Institute in Surrey, we train students specifically for these high-demand roles. Here are the top 5 career paths you can enter once you complete your 24-hour AST course with us.
1. Healthcare Security (Hospital Guard)
The Role: Working in a hospital is not like working in a mall. You are part of the medical team. You assist doctors and nurses in managing aggressive patients, often in the ER or Psychiatric wards.
Why You Need AST: High risk of physical confrontation. You must be trained in handcuffing and non-violent crisis intervention to legally restrain patients who pose a danger to themselves or others.
Local Employer: Paladin Security is the primary contract holder for Fraser Health. They actively recruit AST-certified guards.
2. Loss Prevention Officer (LPO)
The Role: You work undercover (plain clothes) in retail stores. Your job is to spot shoplifters, track them, and arrest them once they leave the store.
Why You Need AST: You are making direct arrests daily. Shoplifters often resist or fight back. Without AST training on Section 494 of the Criminal Code and proper handcuffing techniques, you are a liability to the store.
3. Mobile Patrol Supervisor
The Role: Instead of standing at one site, you drive a marked vehicle to 20-30 different locations per night. You respond to burglar alarms and check for break-ins.
Why You Need AST: When you respond to an alarm at 3:00 AM, you might walk in on a crime in progress. You are the first responder. You need the tools (handcuffs) and the training to secure a suspect until the RCMP arrives.
4. Municipal & Government Security
The Role: Working for the City of Surrey or contracted agencies (like Commissionaires) to protect municipal property and staff.
Why You Need AST: These roles often involve dealing with the public in high-stress environments, including interactions with the homeless population or angry citizens. "Use of Force" certification is almost always a requirement.
5. Event & Nightclub Security
The Role: Keeping patrons safe at concerts, weddings, and clubs. This is often contract work that pays very well for short shifts.
Why You Need AST: Alcohol and crowds don't mix. Removing an intoxicated, aggressive patron safely requires the "Escort Holds" and "Joint Locks" we teach in our AST class.
The ROI of AST Training
Is the course fee worth it? Let's look at the math.
By upgrading your license at RupIELTS, you pay for the course within your first two weeks of working a higher-paying job. After that, the extra money is pure profit for the rest of your career.
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