Locksmith Associations - UK

by **bigfoot** » 23 Jun 2006 17:20

Just wondering about whether it is worth joining a Locksmith Association and if so which one. Apart from the stamp of approval they give you are you likely to get any work passed on to you, do you really get cheaper lock deals to new members, do you get contract work easier, etc?

The MLA does of course advertise in the Yellow pages but it seems a rather expensive & time consuming process to getting & keeping MLA Approved Status. They seem to favour apprentices rather than those that train themselves due to lack of apprenticeship positions available in the UK since of course it is rarely in the locksmiths interests to have apprentices that they are likely to end up in competition against.

Then there are The British Locksmith Association, BLKA both appear to charge expensive monthly fees but do you get much back for it?

Lastly, you could go with the ALOA - Associated Locksmiths of America or a European organisation but do they give you much, or will you just be assailed by queries of 'Why arnt you British?' putting customers of perhaps before they have even contacted you?

Might it just be cheaper and easier to set up your own Locksmith Association if a stamp of approval is all the recognition you need?

Little help!

by **toomush2drink** » 23 Jun 2006 18:19

I for one have never been asked if im in an association. For myself ive found that having like minded members only a phone call away if i get stuck on anything a great comfort.Also most organisations do have their own members forums and meetups etc. The meetups are great for learning and getting new contacts, ive made some great friends through it too. Personally you only have a choice of 1 in the uk the mla but the choice is yours ultimately and you may think another organisation is better.Remember if your being asked to sit exams surely that is a good thing as standards are being maintained not something to be worried about.If you dont have the skill to pass an exam it gives you a goal to achieve which can only better you business.

by **Mark A** » 23 Jun 2006 19:19

Bigfoot

I am a member of BLKA and do get a few jobs passed on to me and pick up work through the website and many new clients say they chose me because I am a member of an association.

All ERA locks are available at competetive rates,regular news letters are sent out and over all I would say yes for me it is worth being a member but the majority of locksmiths dont seem to be in any association in my area so obviously it is not necessary just down to your own choice.

Mark

by **carloski** » 24 Jun 2006 6:23

im a member of the ala (autolocksmith association) because im a auto specialist, apart from that im not a member of any other association, an to be honest nobody ever realy asks, regarding the ala, the ala is now conducting on exam to be a member, which is a good thing as passing means we are all above a certain standard

by **sidpick** » 24 Jun 2006 6:27

Hi!
I was in the BLI for a few years and all that got me was a metal badge, a ID card and a few copies of 'keyways' from the MLA.

I trained through the MLA so it seemed the natural way to go.

The members are much more into 'picking' and are more approachable.

I'm sure all the associations have their pro's and cons, with the MLA you get the 'MLA Logo' which is in itself a good logo, some go the guild of master craftsman way (think thats right!).

Belonging to an association can be a good thing for support but I know many trading locksmiths who do not bother

by **Shrub** » 24 Jun 2006 7:26

Im not a member of any but am planning to join the mla when time allows me to start the tests.

Its just simply not needed at this moment in time in the uk as you can trade regardless.

I agree with everyone else here, its all a matter of support, if your unsure of things then you will find being a member of somewhere better than not but if your confident and competant youll be ok anyway.

by **SteveW** » 25 Jun 2006 11:07

All associations have their pros and cons, but if the association is reputable and well known then membership can only be an advantage.

Personally I'm a member of the MLA so i enjoy the benefits. You can join as many associations as you like so you don't have to pic just one.

I'm also a member of the UKTC. This is an open Trade association covering builders, plumbers locksmiths... any trade you can think of. What you get from them is discounts on insurance, van's, phones, etc. All sorts of benefits that might be worth looking into.

by **bigfoot** » 3 Jul 2006 15:10

Thank you for your help this has made the situation a little clearer. I think the BLKA would be better for me since I mainly concern myself with Lock opening & Lock fittings. Going for membership of the MLA would probably be unnecesary for me since I am not looking to go in any deeper than fitting & openings so don't want any in depth work passed my way which I might find difficult to do. Many thanks.

by **Shrub** » 3 Jul 2006 15:42

Do your homework on the bla/blka,

by **Mark A** » 4 Jul 2006 10:31

Bigfoot

Contary to what you may read on some previous posts the BLA and BLKA are NOT the same or linked.

Unfortunatley some of the posts I have read do not resemble in any way my experiences with AOBL,BLA and now BLKA.

If any one Association appealed to all locksmiths then there would only be ONE.

Choose the Association which best suits your needs.

Mark

by **tinker** » 10 Jul 2006 13:28

The BlkA is in noway linked to the BLA, they send news letters out every quarter and are on the end of a phone 24/7 if you require help with anything, the fees are for being listed on two web sites of which members have had work sites are www.findolocksmith.co.uk and www.cutmonkey.com.

by **bigfoot** » 10 Jul 2006 15:52

Many thanks for clarifying the situation on the BLKA I will consider further. Could someone give me an idea of what this may cover? Will a working knowledge of lock opening & fitting like mine be sufficient or does it go into more depth. I have heard the MLA Exam questions are more suited to apprentices than those that have trained independantly as they mainly ask questions that someone that has served an apprenticeship would know.

by **Chris B** » 17 Jul 2006 16:09

Bigfoot,

Do not worry about ICL. Their exam, as yet to my knowledge, has not become a recognised Locksmith Examination, and as has already been said, ICL is mainly into picking. Picking maybe an important part of locksmithing but it is by no means the end. Locksmithing is a massive subject and none of the training schools currantly advertising goes anywhere near to approaching the problem. The people running ICL and other various people who are training/teaching locksmiths and newbies, in the main are quite new, only 2/3 years experience, and remember that it takes an apprentice 5/6 years to learn the trade, and even after that his training is ongoing. My advice to you is to join various locksmith forums to gather information, [most of which are free] but at the end of the day, if you want to be recognised by the likes of Insurance Companies you need to work your way up through the ranks of the MLA. They are not perfect, but they are the nearest thing that this country has to producing qualified locksmiths.

by **Mark A** » 17 Jul 2006 17:33

Chris B

I agree with you on the training being Pick oriented and wholely inadaquate,there are "locksmiths" out there been on a 2 day Picking course fitting locks to expensive H/W doors with no carpentry skills.

It took me 4 years to achieve City and Guilds Advanced Carpentry certificate and it makes me laugh when people with no recognised carpentry skills have the neck to TEACH IT.

Seems to me that the majority of locksmiths courses are NDE obsessed and ignore the rest of the training required to offer a professional service.

I've said before 50% of the work a domestic commercial locksmith can expect to come their way is on UPVC and Composite doors,I first had on site training on UPVC doors over 20 years ago and I'm STILL LEARNING,
Most courses dont seem to address this at all or do a couple of hours or if your're lucky a WHOLE DAY!

I Dont think ANY association gives enough specialised training especially in regard to Carpentry,Business Management and UPVC/Composite work
and would advise any students to the trade to do what I did and get specalised training from long standing reputable organisations seperately
to a high standard in each.

Sorry about the long post and the rant but had to get it off my chest,as I'm getting fed up with inter association politics,when the majority are offering inadaquate/crap training done by trainers I would consider to be still students.

Mark

by **toomush2drink** » 17 Jul 2006 18:45

The bottom line is the public dont care if your in an association or not or who trained you etc.
Until proper licencing comes in nothing will change.

On the other hand sometimes people can be good teachers regardless of experience.Ive met many talented people in life who dont have the ability to teach others their skills hence others start teaching instead.

I agree about everyone focuses on picking, i dont get that many lockouts so its not my main concern. Locksmithing is a massive trade to learn and is more than picking but with over 10 years key cutting experience and a C&G in cabinet making its probably the later skill that makes me the most income by doing neat installs.
Sure learn all you can from forums they are a good source of knowledge but not all are available to all unfortunately.

Locksmith Associations - UK

Locksmith Associations - UK

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