In Belgium, jobseekers can join SERIS Academy training through specific schemes and public services. The options depend on your language and region:

For Dutch speakers in Flanders: If you live in Flanders, you can get support from VDAB (the Flemish public employment and training service). VDAB guides jobseekers and offers financial support or pathways that make it easier to enrol in our courses.

For French speakers in Brussels: If you live in Brussels, Bruxelles-Formation provides similar support. The organization helps French-speaking jobseekers gain qualifications or start a new career, for example as a security guard.
Want to check if you’re eligible? Contact VDAB or Bruxelles-Formation, or speak with our team.

How do I enrol via VDAB or Bruxelles-Formation?
To attend a SERIS Academy course through VDAB or Bruxelles-Formation, follow these steps:

• Obtain a conditional offer of employment: You’ll need a commitment to hire—a letter from a security company confirming it intends to employ you once you’ve completed the training. This is essential to access these pathways.
• Send it to SERIS Academy: Once you have the completed letter, submit it to SERIS Academy. We’ll finalise your enrolment and guide you through the rest of the process.

You can tap into several grants and support schemes. The most commonly used are:

• Flemish Training Leave (VOV): Employees who follow a course and live in Flanders can, under certain conditions, use this scheme. It allows them to take time off during training while their wages are (partially) covered.
• SME e-wallet (KMO-portefeuille): A subsidy scheme for self‑employed professionals and small or medium‑sized businesses in Flanders, reimbursing part of the training costs.
• Paid Educational Leave (Wallonia only): Private‑sector employees in Wallonia can use paid educational leave to follow a recognized training programme. During the training period, they continue to receive their salary, allowing them to pursue professional development without loss of income.
• Chèques-formation (Wallonia): In Wallonia, employees and companies can apply for training vouchers to fund courses. This system encourages employers to further upskill their staff.

In Belgium, you must complete a legally required training program and meet certain conditions. The process has several steps:

1. Psychotechnical assessment (PTO): This test assesses your suitability for a career as a security guard. It is administered by a government-accredited body.
2. Security guard training: Once you pass the PTO, you can enrol in the security guard course at SERIS Academy.
   The training is split into two parts, “Block 1” and “Block 2,” covering core knowledge, practical exercises, and skills development.
3. After completing both blocks, you’ll receive a certificate that allows you to work as a security guard.

Our team guides you every step of the way, from day one through to certification.

Can I retake the exam if I don’t pass the first time?
If you don’t pass right away, we offer the following:

• Exam and resit: After the course you take an exam. If you don’t pass, you may sit a resit.
• One-time re-enrolment: If you also fail the resit, you can retake the entire course, which gives you two fresh exam attempts to reinforce your knowledge and skills.

Not quite. Not every course is open to everyone. SERIS Academy sets entry requirements that differ per programme.
Examples include:

• A minimum age requirement
• Passing the PTO (psychotechnical assessment)
• Specific prior knowledge or a conditional job offer from a security company

If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, feel free to contact us — we’ll be happy to advise.

Bodyguards, also known as close protection officers, play a crucial role in keeping individuals safe. The typical pathway is:

1. First complete the security guard training. This is mandatory and provides the baseline qualification.
2. Once you’re qualified as a security guard, an accredited security company can enrol you in the close protection course. This specialist training prepares you for tasks such as personal protection and risk management.

To take on armed duties, you’ll need extra training. Here’s the typical route:

1. First complete the security guard course at SERIS Academy and obtain your certificate.
2. Once you’re employed by a security company, your employer can enrol you in the Armed Assignments course. This additional training focuses on safe, responsible firearms handling.

Because armed work carries greater responsibility, this specialist training is mandatory.

How does the psychotechnical assessment (PTO) work?

A PTO is a competency assessment administered by the Belgian authorities via werkenvoor.be. It’s designed to determine whether you’re suited to work as a security guard.

• Registration: You can’t register on your own. SERIS Academy will do this for you once you enrol with us.
• Questionnaires: After registration, you’ll receive two questionnaires from werkenvoor.be, which must be completed within the specified timeframe.
• Online interview: Based on your answers, you’ll be invited to an online interview with a psychologist, who will assess whether you have the right profile for the security guard role.

Once you pass, you can start the training.

Yes, for some courses — but there are exceptions:

• You can’t register privately for Port Security, Armed Assignments or Close Protection; these programmes are only available through an accredited security company.
• If you want to self‑fund another course, please send valid proof of payment before the course starts. Without it, we can’t admit you.

Have a specific course in mind? Get in touch for more information!

SERIS Academy sends out certificates within five working days of the results being announced, in accordance with legal requirements.

The certificate will be sent to you by email. Participants who wish to do so may request a paper copy of their certificate.