Trades around the world

[mupet]

Just interested in what type of training is needed in differant countrys to allow them to work as a locksmith/ lockpicker.

[reg]

very interesting ... as I don't know that about my own country

Some retailers of picking tools also offer courses on "emergency openings". The original locksmith (Schlosser) has become a profession that usually handles larger metal stuff than locks. I have not yet found (for lack of searching, mainly) a German locksmith that offers an apprenticeship. I was offered a job by one, cause I can pick.

But I really don't know if there is a profession for that in Germany.
This post just met me, when I was starting to investigate this, perhaps the other germans in this forum can give more hints.
As soon as I have more I'll post again.

Cheers,

reg

[Dodgy]

well i am from australia and i know that there is a 4 year apprenticeship that you have to undertake to become a qualified locksmith

[Hojo]

I live in australia and I am about to start my aprenticeship it involves flying to melbourne about 6 times a year in 2 week periods for about 4 years...it varies depending on whos training you....So wish me luck Im currently only 14 (15 in about a week...YAY! ) and starting now so roughly when i finish school I will almost be done and then Im a qulified locksmith and then I will be startinh my business Dimex Locksmiths....unless someone take the name.....and if they do *shakes fist in air*

[marso]

So why do you have to do an apprenticeship yet luke does not and says (acts as though) he is a qualified locksmith?

[WhiteHat]

I live in australia and I am about to start my aprenticeship it involves flying to melbourne about 6 times a year in 2 week periods for about 4 years...it varies depending on whos training you....So wish me luck Im currently only 14 (15 in about a week...YAY! ) and starting now so roughly when i finish school I will almost be done and then Im a qulified locksmith and then I will be startinh my business Dimex Locksmiths....unless someone take the name.....and if they do *shakes fist in air*

register your business name man - it's comparitively cheap - if you're under 18 I'm sure your parents can sign for you or something. it also ensures that you can have www.yourbusinessname.com.au

[Mad Mick]

So why do you have to do an apprenticeship yet luke does not and says (acts as though) he is a qualified locksmith?

Easy Marso, if it weren't for what is contained within the parentheses, I wouldn't have picked up on a slight dig at Luke. Fortunately for him, he has had the foresight to register a business name in the eventuality that he makes this his future profession (and a potentially profitable sideline if he does not). Kudos to him for planning ahead. I doubt many of us had this sort of mature attitude when we were at his age......I wish I had.

[plot]

So why do you have to do an apprenticeship yet luke does not and says (acts as though) he is a qualified locksmith?

Easy Marso, if it weren't for what is contained within the parentheses, I wouldn't have picked up on a slight dig at Luke. Fortunately for him, he has had the foresight to register a business name in the eventuality that he makes this his future profession (and a potentially profitable sideline if he does not). Kudos to him for planning ahead. I doubt many of us had this sort of mature attitude when we were at his age......I wish I had.

i have a few registered domain names... including my last name. at least i jumped on that bandwagon before everyone else did...

[Mad Mick]

Another early starter.....I was too busy working on cars and chasing girls!

[Luke]

Marso, you must take a 4 year apprenticship and a 3 year tafe course to be a member of MLAA. You obviously dont know what you're talking about! Maybe you should research before making a point like that!

[marso]

Luke, I know about MLAA and the tafe courses. I just wonder how you have not done either yet you boldly claim in these forums you are a locksmith. Jumped from beginner in decemeber/Jan to locksmith without the apperentice tag. You must have done it pretty quickly. Congrats!

[Romstar]

Would I ask luke to open a home or business lockout? Yes I would. Would I ask Luke to install locks, window strikes or sash locks? Yes I would.
Could Luke install locks on a wood, aluminum or composite door? I believe he can.

Would I ask Luke to install the whole door? Maybe, it would depend. He is after all 14, and those things can be heavy. Do I think he knows how to install them? Yes I do.

Would Luke take an automotive lockout? I don't thinik he would at this stage. He knows where his talents skills and knowledge are right now.

Luke is a specialist at this point, and I think he is just going to get better. Being a locksmith is a strange collection of skills. Part carpenter, part machinist, part technician, part electrician.

Luke is doing things at his age that many people wouldn't think of. He has a position with a local locksmith, gaining experience in things he hasn't learned yet. While he isn't a member of the MLAA, I think there is a good possibility that he could beat many of the requirements.

The key element here is that the state of Victoria doesn't require you to be a member of MLAA or to have had the apprenticeship. This could be a good thing, and it could also lead to fly by night outfits who are gone as fast as they set up. I know Luke isn't one of these, and if the requirements change, I am sure that he will meet those requirements.

I like to compare locksmiths to auto mechanics. Both of them do a job that relates to safety. Admittedly, if a mechanic screws up there is a more immediate result. However, where I am located, auto mechanics is listed as a compulsory trade. Meaning you can't work in the trade without the 2 years schooling, 4 years apprenticeship and continual training every year. Some of these guys I wouldn't trust with a go-cart. I don't give a what the paper on the wall says, they shouldn't be allowed at a vehicle they are just that stupid or careless.

What I am trying to say here is that Luke can call himself a locksmith. Aditionally, he actually knows what he is doing in most cases, and where he may not, he will send you to someone who does. This is why he was so eager to find a working locksmith to apprentice with.
By the time he is 18 or 19, while most of his friends are out looking for jobs, Luke will have started in on a career that will continue to be lucrative and rewarding for his entire life. I'd say he's ahead of many other people.

Romstar

[reg]

After snooping around a bit, I found out the following for Germany
The job of lock- and keymaker still exists in Germany, but there is no such apprenticeship any more.

You have to complete an apprenticeship in fine mechanics or similar profession (3 years, I think) first. What you do then remains unclear even in the official information by the Arbeitsagentur, I guess you find some locksmith work with him for a while or do some courses with bigger brands of locks (if they offer such courses - I know Abus offers courses on window security)
And then you can open a business, provided you can financially afford to do so.

[mupet]

To call yourself a locksmith in australia you must do and complete an apprentership of 4 years ( 3 years of school 1 year in the trade).
Anybody can call themself a locksmith,mechanic ect, but it will not be reconised by the public or govenment bodys as a trades person.
You can become a tradesman also be sitting what is called tradesman rights exame after 7 years in the trade but must be able to prove that you have worked as a locksmith for this time.(must be documented)
here the trade its self dose not reconise any corispondance certificate of any type as a trade entry. This stops a lot of fly by nite operaters opening up a bussness.
There seems to be some people on this topic that dont know what they are talking about in australia so i hope this clears things up a bit

[Luke]

According to the locksmiths i know all you need is a Bus liscence. Although they reccomend when im old enough to take the stotts course and join MLAA.