locksmith question

[screamdudeguy]

Hey everyone. I realized not too lomg ago that i want to be a lock smith when i grow up. I am 15 and i turn 16 in a few months. I was wondering what i could do, maybe a part time job or something, that would help me gain more information and expirence. I was thinking maybe asking a locksmith if he wants a part time worker to help cut keys and simple stuff and work my way up. What do you guys suggest i do? Thanx in advance.

[zeke79]

Proofread your application for spelling errors .

[screamdudeguy]

Can anyone please help me? Does anyone think a locksmith would take a part time worker to help out with simple things and then maybe over time I could work my way up?

[Raccoon]

Know that most locksmiths are independant. If you come out to New Mexico, I'll let you play with my toys and take on some work.

[mrdan]

You might consider taking some kind of course that leads to certification of some kind. Might need to do the proverbial "Flipping burgers" thing to put yourself through. Then, make up a resume stating that you have this education and try applying for a job at a locksmith shop either as an apprentice or some other capacity. I think it would get you a lot further to have a formal education with a certificate in this arena to augment your knowledge.

Just my 2 cents

[Raccoon]

Knowing that most locksmiths don't have much (if any) in the way of formal certification, I would suggest getting a job at a hardware store, such as Home Depot, Menards, or Ace Hardware (or equivilent), and then persue a locksmithing avenue.

It will take a lot of learning, and you will make a lot of mistakes, and you may even look stupid at times. It's best to do these things at a place you have no intention to work for for a great length of time. Leave yourself some bridges to burn if necessary, before doing the mating dance for your local lock shop.

[Krypos]

all i know for sure is that when applying for a job of any kind it looks good if you have good grades and if you have been employed before, that you stayed for a good length. i ahve close to one full year soon at my first job and im 17. so when i do leave and look for something better, it will look really good that my first job i lasted a full year and then decided to leave for something better.

[screamdudeguy]

Is there any classes or anything that would get me certifed to be a locksmith and then instead of working at a hardware store for a year, I could just go to a locksmith's shop and ask for apprenticement?

[Temple]

Foley Belsaw and Penn Foster are two courses you can take through the mail, also you may want to see if there is a school in your local area that offers a course.

Also you could go to some of your local locksmith's and talk to them directly, face to face. Get to know them and let them get to know you.

[Krypos]

...and ask for apprenticement?

uh..lol...so ya know its apprenticeship. if you ask for an apprentiement, i am sure they probably wont give it to ya.

also, in the states, an apprenticeship starts out getting paid minimum wage, because they ahve to pay ya something, but all you really do is clean up after the fat man with the picks. eventually you get to move up, etc. but it blows as an apprentice in many many situations. but thats just the states. from what ive heard.

[screamdudeguy]

Lol, I knew it sounded kind of funny. So, how would I go about asking for an apprenticeship? Would I just walk in one day and say "I am looking to be an locksmith, can I have an apprenticeship"?

[Krypos]

nope. that will probably never work. you have to make them understand that you are there for more than to learn to pick locks and junk. you have to hang out wiht them in the store and get to know them. as stated before. if you establish a friendship first with them, things will go much smoother. guarenteed.

[Raccoon]

Buy a lot of things from their store. Go in there almost every day-- like a kid in a comic book shop buying a new deck of baseball cards who shows real enthusiasm.

While you're there, the locksmith may query about your lock purchases, and you have now broken the ice. Just go on about how fascinated you are by locks, and how they work.

I guess that sounds more like a 12yo kid, but we do have some 12yo kids around here.

[screamdudeguy]

That sounds like a great idea and all but I live about 6 miles from the closest locksmith, so I would have no way of getting there everyday. The only way I could get there every day is if I worked there. See my prodicument (however its spelt).

[Krypos]

you're gonna drive 6 miles everyday to work there? why not become a locksmith otherwise, and then you can split area with this guy.


alternatively, you can hire a contract killer (see my profile) and have him killed and then you can take over.







note* that was a joke. there will be no killing of anyone.