The bestway of getting the knowledge required?

[Kyes]

Right now I work for a Security/Alarm company in Western Canada, we do your basic electronic security systems and CCTV. and from time to time your not so basic systems including door access, Card readers and biometric locks. recently my boss has informed me he would like to expand into locksmithing as well, to offer a more rounded our service. And the Kicker is he wants me to be the Locksmith. There so many options for learning the trade I would like advice on how to go about it. I would hate to cheat myself of training that might prove invaluable in the field but at the same time I need to beable to turn a profit for the company I am working for now with in 6 months of having them shell out for any of the training I do take.

There are online courses that sound good "be a lock smith in 3 months" . But will the help me develope the skill set to do the trade proud

[Engineer]

Others will be able to advise you on the best courses, better than I can! I was taught by a collegue rarther than a paid for course.

However, while you are still all fired up, there are some things you can do today and they will seem less boring if you do them now, while you are still full of enthuasm!

Think of all the key and lock manufacturers you can and search for their name + "homepage". Build up a list of bookmarks that way. Download their latest catalogues while you are there! Print them out if you can, if not, you will have to read them cover-to-cover on the screen. It is a bit of a steep learning curve to begin with and product familarisiation is one of the best ways to get a running start for a course. At the very least, you will start to recognise the codes of blank keys like "KW1" and "1A".

For fun, there are a couple of short videos on operating key cutting machines on YouTube, that will give you a very rough idea to begin with. There is also the "a video guide to lockpicking" by djstudios.com that can be freely distibuted and is quite informative to start with.

Locksmithing is divided into different areas for a good reason. you will find modern electronic keys for cars need different machines and knowledge to the purely mechanical keys. You might be better off getting a good footing in mechanical keys before expanding into the specialist areas like automotive - Unless you have a very understanding boss with deep pockets and you don't mind a very steep learning curve!

I do have to say though that this is all real grunt work, it will help you a little with nthhe courses, but is in no way a replacement for a proper course, they are just fun things you can do to give yourself a step up, while waiting for the real thing.

Good luck and have fun - I wouldn't be a locksmith if I diidn't love it!

[Kyes]

Thank you very much. I'll Look into the manufacturers catalogues as you advised. I also like your advice that I get good at the basics first, can't have Ice cream until I eat my Veggies. I'll be pointing that out to my boss it could save me from unreal expectations. Thank you again.

Is there any thing I should be looking for when choosing a course? Is there anything other than Jumping ahead of the basics that seems to catch up most people learning the trade? I already have installed a number of mag-locks and Electric strikes for alarm systems that require door access control. One of the things I have noticed in my area and something I know My boss would like to expand in to as quickly as we can is high security locks. The type of locks were if some body losses one they lynch him than shell out as much as it takes to "rekey" (that may not be the correct term but I am new) the existing locks or replace them.

[prag]

some good tips for Engineer. I have learnt a whole lot from this site . Look out for other sites like www.blackbag.nl ,etc. Also speak to people in the industry. If you state your case correctly you would be amazed at how helpful people can be.

Good luck and always have an enquiring mind

[lunchb0x]

If you want your boss can always offer me a job and I can come work for you early next year

[Engineer]

Hi again Keys,

I've been thinking this over and some practical work might offer a welcome break from looking at lots and lots of catalogues. The trouble is that it is a bit unethical to charge someone for fitting locks, when you are using them to learn on. So I had an idea!

Look at the place you work, like you were a professional burglar. How would you get in? What would you steal (has to be valuable, easy to transport and sell)?

Then use the knowledge of the catalogues you have been reading and decide on the best trade-off of price, against security. Then make a little "presentation" of you finding (just some notes and copies of the relevent product pages) so you can explain to your boss why he/she could be robbed easily and why this is the best trade off of security against cost, that will keep them safe.

At the very least, it will show you are taking this very seriously and it will all be excelent grounding experience in site assessment and recommendations. With a bit of luck, your boss will be so impressed, you might get funding to go ahead and make those changes. That will be some good practical experience, where you can take your time and get it right.

I appreciate you are already probably armpit-deep in electronic security, but how about ketting to rekey the mechanical locks? How many past employees might have got keys cut for example?

If you can get funding, you can use it as an excuse to ring some of the companies and see if you can make a cash purchase, with a view to opening an account with them shortly as your business is in the process of expanding into that area (you can play on already being an established company, great experience in electronic security, just starting to branch out into this area and are trying to establish preliminary business relationships with potential suppliers sort of thing...).

Good luck and I hope it goes well for you.

[globallockytoo]

Right now I work for a Security/Alarm company in Western Canada, we do your basic electronic security systems and CCTV. and from time to time your not so basic systems including door access, Card readers and biometric locks. recently my boss has informed me he would like to expand into locksmithing as well, to offer a more rounded our service. And the Kicker is he wants me to be the Locksmith. There so many options for learning the trade I would like advice on how to go about it. I would hate to cheat myself of training that might prove invaluable in the field but at the same time I need to beable to turn a profit for the company I am working for now with in 6 months of having them shell out for any of the training I do take.

There are online courses that sound good "be a lock smith in 3 months" . But will the help me develope the skill set to do the trade proud

Most places in Western Canada require licensing (PISA?) for locksmithing....it's not just as simple to start plying the trade...you really need to investigate it first....the department of regulation are very quick to fine/jail offenders for practising without a suitable license.

This is probably why your boss wants to look into the lucrative locksmithing industry....but he needs to be careful to get the right qualifications....business license and staff licenses....otherwise you WILL BE CAUGHT!

[Kyes]

Thank you to every one your insights have been most... Insightfull!

Right now it looks like I will be taking an online course through ICS to get started with basic installing/replacing of (Home Depot handy man) locks and very very basic repairs More a parts man with mechanical aptitude than a locksmith.

Once I have that course and a little time looking at locks practicing the skills learned there I'll be taking a course offered by the Red Deer College if I plan it right I will be able to move to red Deer while I take the course there.

Thank you again for your points.