The Surveillance Group is one of the largest covert surveillance companies currently operating within the United Kingdom. We are the largest provider of covert Surveillance training, teaching individuals how to conduct successful foot and mobile surveillance whilst obtaining the relevant intelligence.
As we are primarily an operational organisation, our training courses are also used exclusively as an employment tool, providing our company with the opportunity to select high class students who have proven their capabilities throughout the courses and are looking to pursue a career within an exciting and specialist field.
At the Surveillance Groups training centre you will be taught current and up to date techniques by the companies leading surveillance operatives.
The main Certificates and Awards are all accredited through SFJ Industry Qualifications and are to a Level 4 standard. They are as followed:
It is recommended that a student who is looking to enter the surveillance industry undertakes the following two courses:
These courses combined will give you the knowledge, understanding and skill-set required to undertake covert surveillance operations. The Surveillance Group also recruit the majority of our surveillance operatives from these courses.
If you require further information from any member of our team, then you can send us your query via the contact us link or communicate with us via the instant messenger service provided.
Your next steps, your journey, your new career.
If you are coming to us from the Armed Forces, Police or any other background then you are probably thinking “is the surveillance industry for me?”, “Do I have what it takes to become a covert surveillance operative?”, “I have no previous experience so will this stand in my way?” Well, I had all the same questions and the surveillance industry has been a very rewarding industry for myself, I backed and believed in myself and worked my way through the company to become the Operational Training Manager….. I came to The Surveillance Group with no previous covert surveillance experience and have since become a subject matter expert, training individuals from all over the world. Some of the best operatives I have trained and worked with have had no previous experience, they attended The Surveillance Group’s training and have become in my opinion some of the best covert surveillance operatives in the business. That is why TSG run training courses, to raise the standard of operatives in the industry and to recruit the best students to become part of our company!
“Training provided was first class. Our syndicate was instructed by two very knowledgeable guys who are definitely subject matter experts in the surveillance industry”
All TSG courses are accredited by SFJ Industry Qualifications.
If a student is successful in passing a qualification then they will receive a certificate from SFJ Industry Qualifications.
The difference between an Award, Certificate and a Diploma lies in the number of hours training is undertaken. An Award will take 50 hours for example.
No SFJ IQ qualifications are valid for life as they are a measurement of achievement. That being said, a student who undertakes the Intermediate award has a 12 month period to progress to the advanced award.
Yes, all of our courses start from the basics and gradually build more advanced skills, making them suitable even for complete novices. Sometimes students with no prior experience actually have an advantage because they arrive without any bad habits or out-dated ideas to hamper their learning.
A student must undertake and pass the Intermediate Award before progressing to the Advanced Award and Certificate.
The average number of students per course is around 8, giving an instructor ratio of 4:1, although we have the facilities to cater for up to 24. Importantly, regardless of how many students enrol, there is always a student : instructor ratio of 3:1 to ensure that the quality of our training is always second-to-none.
The course fees cover use of all training facilities, hire vehicles, kit and equipment, but do not include food or accommodation. A certification fee is also incorporated within the cost of your first course.
Yes. Our provider number is 2990.
In order to secure a place on a course a 20% deposit is required and the remaining fees must then be paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the course start date. Preferably you can pay via our secure online payment method alternatively we can accept payment by cash, card or cheque (made payable to ‘The Surveillance Group Ltd’). As an approved provider for ELCAS, we accept Enhanced Learning Credits as payment. In accordance with ELCAS guidelines, if you are using Enhanced Learning Credits, please do not attempt to pay a deposit until your claim has been authorised. Please only pay a deposit once you have received a Claim Authorisation Note and forwarded the original copy to us.
Yes. Once you have paid an initial 20% deposit we are happy for you to pay the remaining fees in as many instalments as you like, provided that the balance is paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the course start date.
No, all of our courses are non-residential. As such, it is the responsibility of the student to provide their own food and accommodation. We do, however, provide light refreshments throughout our courses and we can send you a list of hotels in the local area upon request.
No, all surveillance equipment is provided.
Yes, you will still complete all of the same exercises as the other students, but you will simply be a vehicle passenger during mobile exercises as opposed to a driver.
Students will have to complete assessment books on the Intermediate, Advanced and Certificate course. Two exams must be taken at the end of the SFJ IQ Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators. These a multiple answer exams.
Yes, if you would like to speak to a past student, we will be happy to put you in contact with them after seeking their permission. You can also find testimonials from previous students here.
Yes. If a student undertakes and passes the Advanced Award and the SFJ IQ L3PI course then that student will stand a chance of gaining full-time employment with TSG.
It is not necessary to bring your CV along to your course. Should you be invited to an interview for employment following the completion of your course, you will be asked to provide a CV and covering letter at this stage.
No, we do not have a specified minimum or maximum age for employment. However, being an experienced driver is a pre-requisite for employment and a military background is also a desirable (although not essential) characteristic.
To work effectively a surveillance operative must be able to walk at a very brisk pace and spend prolonged periods of time in confined spaces. Unless a medical condition restricts you in either of these areas, it should not prevent you from working in this type of role.
Most surveillance operatives are required to work throughout the UK (and sometimes abroad). Extensive travel and time spent away from home are integral to the job. The Surveillance Group has two-person teams distributed throughout the UK and as far as possible we do endeavour to keep operatives working within their home region. Ultimately, however, operatives must be prepared to work wherever there is operational demand.
Typical working hours are 6.30am to 5.00pm plus substantial travelling time either side. However, the length of an operation is ultimately dictated by the movements of the surveillance subject and therefore working hours are often lengthy and unpredictable.
Rates of pay vary across the industry. Some companies employ surveillance operatives on a sub-contract basis, whereas other, like ourselves, offer permanent, full-time contracts. Annual salaries for full-time work can vary between £20,000 and £33,000, depending upon the company that you work for and the type of surveillance that you conduct.
No, surveillance and private investigation are not yet licensable activities, although it is anticipated that this may change in the future.
Come and see for yourself on one of our free of charge open days.
Please book the course you wish to undertake via our website. It will also be a good idea to contact our Operational Training Manager, Lee. His email address is Lmahoney@thesurveillancegroup.com or call him on 01905767879.
