Getting casual jobs in the UK is usually very hard for African students who come into the country to study. There is this perception held by Africans before coming to the UK, that it is easy to get jobs, it is not, the UK job market is highly skill intensive and they favour people with UK experience a lot, so you might spent the entire duration of your study without getting anything If you don’t plan it ahead. So, knowing what opportunities exist out there will help you plan better. Security: Understand that Security in the UK is different from what is obtainable in Africa. The security profession is highly regulated in the UK and requires training and a license. There is doorman, security, personal protection, etc. The most common is the doorman/security and the license needed is called SIA. There are training providers all over the UK that provide you a week training on what is needed, at the end of which you will sit for an exam. When you pass the exam, you can then apply for the license. The training costs around £250, while the license costs fairly the same. So, the whole thing run you back about £500. Security jobs pay very well, around the £12/hr and they’re very flexible, something that a student can do. You don’t even need experience; all you need is the license and you’re guaranteed a job.
