Bogus security company..

[SamSmith]

So today I applied at this security company that had an Ad in the Star. The company's website is:
http://cispelearning.com/main/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

They have an office at 120 eglinton Ave W. Suite 500.

So I go there for my appointment and ended up waiting over 1 1/2 hrs. Only 2 young east indian guys in black security looking uniforms are conducting the interviews. While in the waiting room they hand you a form to fill out and a test with some english and math questions. (I aced it) finally I'm called into the interview room and go through the usual.. then the kicker that got me suspicious.

I'd have to pay an upfront fee of $250 before taking a 1 day training course at Ryerson. The interviewer said he'd be there during the training and If the written test is not passed I'll have a chance to do it again.

I told him I'd think about it since I don't have the cash and left.


What do you all think? I say SCAM and so do a few other people I've spoken to. Do any of you guys that work in that business know about this outfit?

 

[Ben Hogan]

Sounds fishy. You're wise to walk away.

 

[Aardvark154]

Drop a dime on them.

 

[SamSmith]

Their site dosn't even post a pic of the trainer.

http://www.cispelearning.com/training/user/view.php?id=368&course=1

 

[bangcamaro]

I recall reading something about security guards now having to be licensed in Ontario. IIRC they have to take a course and pass an exam.

UNderstandable but pretty shitty pay for the investment.

I do security and private investigating as a gig on the weekends or when I have free time so I think I can help....

First of all, the license only costs $80, and has to be renewed every year.

Secondly, courses should always be free. If I were you, I'd look to apply for another ad that specifically mentions free training or free security courses, there are plenty of security companies looking for guards

Lastly, usually they only make you pay for your uniform, but that usually comes out of your first two paycheques or so...
This is because the uniforms are yours to keep even if you quit, however, if you do quit, they require you to bring your uniform in so that they can de-badge it or you won't receive your last paycheque.

I don't think it's a scam but at the same time, you're getting ripped off because training for guards at security companies (at least from my experience, and where I work) is always free and paid by the company. You can still go ahead with it, I'm pretty sure it's legit but you can get hired at other places that have more reputation and pay for most of your stuff (including equipment)

Look around the internet, there are plenty of ads for security guards or private investigators in the GTA.

Try a well-known company like G4S, don't go for the Mickey Mouse things, and as a tip, armoured car security pays REALLY well... or you can work independently if you're going to pay for your own training anyway...

Good luck.

 

[bangcamaro]

How well does armoured car security pay?

(Not including what falls off the truck.)

Starting pay for me a few years ago was $18 per hour (part-time), with benefits. One of the best jobs I ever had.

 

[Keanu]

Total scam. The license is $80, but it's yours, not the companies. With this training company you'd pay the huge cash for training then your licensing fee on top. Legit companies will provide your training because they have to. They need to fill spots in a low pay, high turn around business.

 

[Keanu]

I recall reading something about security guards now having to be licensed in Ontario. IIRC they have to take a course and pass an exam.

UNderstandable but pretty shitty pay for the investment.

I'm not sure how they'll do this legitimately (meaning not giving the answers away). You have a base of guards who can barely speak english, or understand basic laws of arrest, ect. They simply are there to answer calls, give directions, do the odd patrol, and monitor the place for insurance purposes such as fire. There would be a shortage. I'd say a third of the guards would be gone. The good guards (especially young) tend to leave for much better jobs after they gain experience. Shitty pay = poor retention of talent. High, high turnover.

Ah the memories. I worked the industry many years ago making $14 in- house (considered a king's ramsom back then for security as opposed to contract making around $8-10 at the time. Even back then I used to work 7 days regular = 3 days overtime every 2 weeks to save up. Near 50K a year.
These days I'm making in the high 50 range and working much, much harder in 40 hours then I used to reading books, talking on the phone, and surfing the internet back then for 60 hours. 12 hour shifts sailed by. I actually had it a lot better back then! Life is cruel.

 

[bangcamaro]

You have a base of guards who can barely speak english, or understand basic laws of arrest, ect. They simply are there to answer calls, give directions, do the odd patrol, and monitor the place for insurance purposes such as fire. There would be a shortage. I'd say a third of the guards would be gone. The good guards (especially young) tend to leave for much better jobs after they gain experience. Shitty pay = poor retention of talent. High, high turnover.

This is all very true. Didn't quote it all but true. I would have considered myself the young good talent but left for better money. Construction just pays so fuckin' well... I do agree, high turnover and most employees now barely speak english or are people who immigrated to the country.
Still, I love how chilling security work is so I still do it on the weekends and holidays. 12 hour shifts do fly by! LOL, surfing on the internet , talking on the phone, I love it.

Yeah, $14 is a lot man, especially for back then... I used to also make over 50K doing armoured car security... for a guy my age at the time and I used to live with my parents, I was fucking loaded! Damn, I wish I hobbied during that time!

 

[aabbaa1975]

Definitely a scam... I have indirect experience... a very close friend of mine applied, poor guy paid the fee and passed everything they gave him positions at local events, live 8, caribana nothing permanent and after a certain period of time (2 weeks) they just stop calling...complete waste of fcuking time and money. I think after everything he walked away with $1500 net. Take my advice...don't give these losers a SINGLE cent.