Getting started?

by **Cango** » 16 Jun 2006 4:57

I turn 19 in 2 months, and still live with my parents. I'm an intelligent guy, got a 97 on the ASVAB, but made the mistake of dropping out of high school to get a GED. I was trying to join the Military, but it looks like I'm not getting in due to medical reasons. My ace in the hole has basically died. I got to researching and looking for potential jobs that I can do with a GED. I had heard a lot of people suggest becomign an apprentice, and in my searching I found Locksmithing. Locksmithing was one of those things that seemed neat, but I never gave it much more than a passing thought, but now it seems rather appealing. Looking more into it, everything I'm reading, from 'Bill's Locksmithing Site', to the Virginia Department of Labour, has said the best route to go with Locksmithing is becoming an apprentice. There are a few kinks though.

1: I know pretty much nothing about locks, picks, and Locksmithing. Y'know that MIT guide to picking locks? Yeah, I've read that. Thats about it.

2: I have no idea how to get my foot into the apprenticeship door. Do I just call up local shops from the yellow pages?

Any advice or insight would be amazingly appreciated.

-Cango

by **UWSDWF** » 16 Jun 2006 5:35

1.go to new users start here... too lazy to link right now... read all the stickies
2. yup thats your best bet

welcome

by **Shrub** » 16 Jun 2006 5:47

Fill out your profile and tell us where you are fo a start.

Read the threads on this section and you will get a xlot of your questions already answered,

Apprenticeships are very hard to come by as are normal jobs if you are skilled (with a reputable company) so you may find that you start to look around for a key cutting sat job for now, its suppriseing how much you will learn from doing that especially if its a big job.

by **Cango** » 16 Jun 2006 16:36

I just called about 4 shops in the Yellow Pages. The last one said they may have an apprenticeship spot open, to call back in the morning.

How much am I going to be expected to know about locks and the smithing thereof?

by **Shrub** » 16 Jun 2006 19:03

Well an aprenticeship is to take someone who knows next to nothing about the subject at hand and make them in to a good practiser of such a trade so i would guess nothing really but if you knew the names of lock parts (read up on this sites dictionary thread) it would help, read the stickies as much you can and just go with a pleasant and willing attitude, dont go drunk or stoned (im not incinuating at all here just saying, for all i know your a tea totler) dress smart and speak clearly.
I think it creates a good impression if you take somthing to show the interviewer that you are serious, my my engineering apprenticeship i tok along some bits i had made on my dads lathe at the time for my model cars, a few weeks late my new boss told me that really impressed him, try somthing like taking a school project or assignment with you, it will show you have staying power and get things done.

For me if i was taking one on i would prefer someone who knew next to nothing so i can teach them my ways and thoughts without any bad habits or misguided info filling their heads.

by **Shrub** » 16 Jun 2006 19:08

Somthing else i will add is that 600 people applied for my job that got cut down to 260 in a day, the biggest reason?
The form to apply said write in blank ink and over 250 people wrote i somthing else, it showed a simple instruction couldnt be followed, the 260 was brought down to 5 second interviews which was in front of 6 high flyers for the goverment (the job was for the goverment) and i showed no fear which they seemed to like, bowing your head whilst talking walking in to the room without knocking, sitting down before asked etc all go against you.

by **HeadHunterCEO** » 16 Jun 2006 19:32

tell me what city you live in in tidewater

by **Cango** » 16 Jun 2006 21:55

Newport News.

by **Cango** » 16 Jun 2006 22:15

So, everyone I've talked too about this has said, "Don't bother calling, go to the shop in person and show initiative."

Would you guys suggest this? The address isn't in the phone book, I had to run the business name through Yahoo Maps/Mapquest, making me wonder if this is a shop run out of the guys house.

by **Shrub** » 17 Jun 2006 20:26

To be honest yes turning up is a good idea but if youve made contact and they said to ring back then maybe thats what you should actually do, you have to think whether incentive pushes out respect for whats been suggested,

Myself? i think if i told someone to ring back then it would perhaps be nice to actually se that person show up in the shop showing willingness, if it was a secatary or such like than yes turn up for sure then you wont be pawned off again.

by **Cango** » 18 Jun 2006 22:43

Well, I went to the address yesterday. Turns out its his house, I'm assuming he works out of his van/home. Also, I missed him by 10 minutes. Given hes doing a working-out-of-van thing, should I expect this to be a paying apprenticeship if the spot is still open?

by **Magic** » 24 Jun 2006 2:26

If I had my time again, then I certainly would not have done my apprenticeship but would have continued my education.

You are still young and it certainly seems that you are intelligent. The better the education that you get now, the more choices you have in later life. Is it too late to resume your education?

Regards,
Vince.

by **Shrub** » 24 Jun 2006 8:18

Well theres good advice in that you really need a good fall back skill in this business, if things go wrong youve got qualifacations and skills to move into somthing else.

If its a mobile lockie then no i wouldnt pursue it to be honest, im my opinion an apprentiship should be started in a shop and key cutting, lock repinning etc by hand and machine should be practiced for a while before such things like lockouts are done.

Up to you though.

by **Raccoon** » 24 Jun 2006 13:59

I know the boat you're in Cango, as I went down the same road. I'd be in the Navy right now if it wasn't for the twin towers attacks-- I was supposed to sign that very week, but I told my recruiter to shove it. Looking back, I'd probably be out by now (if I survived) but I don't regret it.

I scored just as high on the ASVAB and aced my GED, but that only proves I'm not a monkey-- but after a year of college I realized I'm just too old, 10 years out of my class. What I brought with me into locksmithing, though, is a keen understanding of all things mechanical. So your results may vary. It is also by no means cheap to set up.

You're probably not going to make any money from this guy. Not while he's holding your hand, anyway. If he turns out to be a good teacher it may still be worth pursuing. Use it on your application for Home Depot, they pay very handsomely.

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