Originally Posted by
kiwi.diaspora
I worked part-time as a Control Room Operator (someone that monitors alarms and answers calls) back in 2006 and had to get a COA. I understand that things may have changed since then, but at the time all I had to do was fill in a form and give permission to run a criminal record check. I managed to get a job in security first, and my employer paid the COA fee. If you don't want to part with the $220, it might be a better idea to see if you can find a job first and get the employer to cover it.
Those were the different times. Now the security companies say even if I have a certificate, they cannot guarantee a job.