Best Course (Canada)

[UnlockD]

I'm interested in Locksport, but more in the idea of a being a locksmith. I'm in southern Ontario and have requested sign up forms for several through-the-mail courses in Canada. I just want to make sure I make the right decision.
If you have taken a course, or have even just heard about the quality of said course please let me know how they are.

On a side note, I've searched through Ontario Colleges and Google and could not find anyt courses/apprenticeships involving Vaults/Safes.. Is there that low of a demand for such a trade in Canada? Or is it simply kept on the down-low..?

[cedrice]

it is fairly in demand in Alberta, but the problem in the other provinces is that formal schooling isn't pushed as much as it is here.

Maybe hit up TAOL(The Association of Ontario Locksmiths) for more information. It looks like they offer quite a bit of information and courses.

http://www.taol.net/

and

http://www.taol.net/theacademy/schedule.html

Get in touch with them and they might even be able to put you in contact with some lock shops that are looking to pick up some workers. Locksmithing is a fascinating career, it just takes a bit of work to get started.

[MarkC]

The correspondence courses (e.g. Foley-Belsaw, ICS Canada) are a good introduction to locksmithing but you really need apprenticeship if you want to make a career out of it. I personally like the Foley-Belsaw course. It's a bit dated but the value is good.

Mark

[meastabrook]

i went to alberta for my locksmith course at Red Deer College, 4 year apprenticeship program, 8 weeks a year, work then go back

[bobhdus]

I know this is an older post but www.locksmithvideoschool.com is a pretty decent course as well. It doesn't go into common sense stuff like "how to use a screwdriver". It focuses on the main jobs you will be asked to do as a Locksmith (including safe work). And the Instructor is available by phone and will even help you through a tough lock job after you graduate. I have done this one and the Foley-Belsaw course and highly recommend them both. There are pros and cons to apprenticeships. Some journeymen are not as willing to share the real experiences because they don't want the competition. I gained most of my hands-on experience as a Maintenance Mechanic in a Manufacturing Plant. Since I was already certified, they just pretty much got rid of the outside Locksmith help and put me in charge of it. They supplied me with key machines, software and tools. It saved them a lot of money as I was already here as a Maintenance guy.