Qualifications help in the UK

[DJKing UK]

Hi guys.

First up very good site, thanks and now the second part of the post is that I need help. I’ve just came back to the UK from New Zealand where I worked for my auntie and uncle who owned a safe and lock smith company. I started off as a helper learning little bits as time when on but later on I was helping the lockie rekey about 50 locks in a day and other bits then I when to the workshop and started to learn how to refurbish safes: sanding them, patching up holes and the re-spraying them which I enjoy as I work with my hands better than me head . I only did this for 6 months for reasons and now I want to get a locksmith qualification here in the UK. I came back looking on the net for courses which I found but now I’ve found this site saying 2day or 2weeks course things are crap which sounds about right, as I guessed I can’t lean a qualification in a week or more.

The help I need after that little life story what should I do/ what’s my next step? My mum and dad want me to sign on to Job Seeker Allowance* and see what they can do for me which is the last thing I want to do.

Any help would be much appreciated?

*Sorry if you don’t know what JSA is I can’t explain it, I hope some else can of just google it lol.

[parapilot]

There are no qualifications, regardless of what some people advertise. the only way is to set up on your own, not recommended and you prob wont last, or get some kind of job / apprenticeship with an existing locky.

I was quite good at picking and understood locks well, thought it would be easy, but the jump to being a full time locksmith if far bigger than i thought! lot more to it than picking locks!! opening locks is only 20% of my work. im glad i had the back up of experienced lockies to help me out and turn me into a good locky myself.

Oh and i just had to work xmas day and boxing day on call, another down side u dont think about!!!! I love the job tho, dont want to do anything else.

J

[NickBristol]

Oh and i just had to work xmas day and boxing day on call, another down side u dont think about!!!! I love the job tho, dont want to do anything else.

J

I know what you mean there - in the middle of masterkeying an 80-room hotel including changing over the lockcases to Euro profiles from ERA Pro-fits at the minute after they had all the masterkeys stolen yesterday... going to be there all day tomorrow (at least!) too so New Year plans are going to have to be reined in!

Had lockout calls Xmas eve and Boxing Day and a request for a lock change on Xmas day (couple in middle of a domestic so politely declined).

Back on topic, apparently there's a guy in Bristol who got some training and had tools paid for by either the Social or some grant-awarding body so he could start up on his own. I can understand how it can affect some people's pride etc, but it might be worth looking to see if you qualify for any grants via JSA - gutting for people who've paid out completely but if you qualify, go for it.

There are companies that can afford to take on an apprentice like person - but getting a job will take a whole lot of effort from you and knock-backs will be common unfortunately.

[toomush2drink]

Well sorry to put a dampener on things but if you dont have money for training you stand no chance of getting enough work to survive on.

Setting up on your own is the only way to get into this trade at present but because it is the only way the market is saturated by startups. Some muppet near me has killed the lockout market by advertising openups for £50 with no vat.
Sure he may do well this year on his cheap startup ad in the yp but next year when its full cost he wont be able to raise his prices as hes devalued the going rate for this service.Also if he needs to go vat registered then what ? With so many without any long term planning its strangling the trade slowly as they all chase the quick buck.

If i didnt have lucrative contract work for various companies i would not survive and i spend over 10k a year on marketing.London is a different market place with c charge, stupid parking fees and red routes.Traffic congestion also prevents you getting about and covering lots of jobs in a day so your fees have to reflect this.

If starting up do a full business plan first and fully research your market or you are doomed to be another failure.