Porter

Porters work in places like students’ halls of residence, hospitals, hotels, offices and some private apartment blocks. They have a range of duties related to the maintenance and security of the building. Security duties could include making patrols and monitoring visitors. The job often involves general caretaking work.

Also known as

Security attendant

Work activities

Porters have a number of duties connected with the maintenance and security of buildings, such as students’ halls of residence, offices, and some private apartment blocks and public buildings such as council offices or libraries. Security is an important part of the work. Porters are often based in offices or at desks close to the building’s main entrance. They monitor staff and visitors and might be responsible for issuing or checking entrance passes.

Some porters keep and issue keys. Some use closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to monitor activity in and around the building. Most porters patrol the site, making sure that the building, equipment and grounds are secure. They might have to open and lock gates, doors and barriers. Security duties often involve looking after alarms as well as firefighting and other safety equipment. Portering services often include general caretaking work. Porters sometimes supervise the operation of heating systems and carry out general maintenance jobs, for example, changing light bulbs. They report any damage or breakages to the relevant person.

Many porters also have cleaning duties. This can involve using heavy electrical cleaning and polishing machines. Collecting and disposing of refuse is also usually part of the work. When there are deliveries to the building, porters check in and sign for goods, and move items to the appropriate place. Porters also move furniture as required, set up rooms for meetings or other functions, and put up and take down equipment. Some staff might also deal with incoming mail. Porters/security attendants often wear a uniform. Some work unsocial hours including early starts, shifts, nights or weekends.

Personal qualities and skills

As a porter, you’ll need to be:

Responsible, reliable and trustworthy.
Conscientious, especially in your attitude to security and safety.
Practical, with the ability to use your hands well to operate tools and equipment.
Fit and active, as lifting and carrying is involved.
Prepared to spend a long time on your feet.
Able to work without close supervision.
Polite, professional and friendly, and able to provide customer service.
Able to keep basic records.
Flexible and prepared to do a variety of jobs.
Able to demonstrate good communication skills.

You might spend quite a lot of your time alone, especially on a night shift. You might need to drive for some jobs.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for porters vary depending on employer and duties as well as the environment you work in. According to National Careers Service, salaries range from £11,500 to £25,000 (fields listed are: removals porter, kitchen porter, hotel porter and hospital porter).

Porters work full-time hours, which could include shifts, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Part-time opportunities are also available.

Employers are local authorities, hospitals, hotels, educational establishments, offices, private apartment blocks, housing associations and some firms in industry and commerce. Opportunities for porters occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on job boards and employers’ websites, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

You can enter this career by applying directly for vacancies. Some people who provide security services and/or monitor public spaces using closed-circuit television (CCTV) under contract will need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. This will vary according to the duties of the post. See the SIA website for further details.

Training is on-the-job. A senior porter usually gives new entrants instruction and supervision. You will learn the range of duties and basic tasks, such as how to use cleaning equipment, CCTV monitors and the alarm system, and sometimes how to maintain the heating plant. New entrants might also attend short training courses in health and safety, fire safety, manual handling, customer service and equal opportunities, for example. You might be able to work towards a relevant qualification in providing security services, cleaning and support services skills, or hospitality services. As a porter, you’ll be expected to learn fairly quickly and then work with minimum supervision.

Porters can progress to team leader and supervisor posts in larger organisations.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Working as a porter in a health service or care setting, or as a security guard/ public space CCTV operator under contract, is usually an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to. Not all criminal records will prevent you from applying for an SIA licence. If you have a criminal record, the SIA will look at how recent, how serious and how relevant the record is. The SIA has a Criminal Record Indicator on its website where you can check anonymously whether you would be eligible for an SIA licence.

Qualifications

No formal minimum educational qualifications are usually required for entry to this job, although some employers prefer some GCSEs including maths and English. A relevant work-related qualification, such as an Edexcel (BTEC) level 2 First qualification, might be accepted for entry.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed skills by working as a hotel porter, for example, or by doing voluntary work in a hospital helping the portering and estates staff. Some evidence of practical skills can also be useful, and a driving licence might be needed for some jobs.

Related careers

Caretaker
Door supervisor
Hotel porter
Prison officer
Security guard