Locksmith Training

[mr lockpick]

Hello.

I have only just registered on this forum but I have been flicking through it for months...Finally wanted to ask a question.

Sorry in advance if this has already been asked, but I couldn't find anything.

I live in Cornwall and would like to become a locksmith.

I already know how much it will cost (roughly) but am a bit stuck on the training side of things.

Being in Cornwall, I haven't found any options for training in Cornwall, but that doesn't bother me.
I have relations that live in the midlands that I can stay with if I want, to lower costs.

What I would really like to know is which is the best course out of the few I have found:
If anyone knows of any other good ones please tell me.

A1 Safe and Secure in Hereford
Justlocks
MLA/BLI Courses (Would need to do 2 with them)

I noticed in this topic (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4708) that someone said the A1 course didnt cover automotive or uPVC, but it would seem they have improved the course.

Look forwards to some advice/replies.

Thanks.

[kendale]

Hi
A1 is a really good starting block and the MLA is fine if you have a lot of time to do the various courses.

I used to own and run Justlocks which is no longer doing courses of any description at present as we started a safe company and left locksmithing behind at the right time.

I would say to you forget locksmithing and go into another part of the security industry cctv alarms etc.

When I started training courses I was the only one doing it and it was ok, had I known what I was starting I never would have bothered. As a locksmith I was getting around 10 - 13 calls a day and I have seen this drop to a couple of calls a week as a locksmith.

The reason so many people are now training is due to the fact they cant make a living as a locksmith, on the internet you will find over 140 companys now training say 10 per week each = 1400 new start ups a week.

You can spend a fortune on lockpicks and get all the latest tools but it wont help unless you have the work to use them on.

As even the lockpicks have now been copied Mr J Falle says he is no longer going to produce any more lockpicks for the locksmith, government picks only. Im interested to know who is going to produce the picks for the new locks as they appear on the market, I see the drill coming out a lot more by even some of the better locksmiths on here.

Between the Insurance company's and the nationwide company's taking a 50% slice of all work and companys like reactfast ripping off customers and the locksmiths I would say you dont have a chance at starting a business unless you diversify into other area's of security as well.

This is not what you wanted to hear im sure but take note and spend the money on another career.

[mr lockpick]

Thanks for the info.

I must admit, I have been wondering about the amount of courses available.
I did some research this morning after reading your post...

It took about 1/2 an hour and I have realised that there are at least 10 locksmiths with in 25 miles of me (probably many more than that in cornwall, probably at least 30 qualified locksmiths in Cornwall, plus however many drill fiends :S)

I have got a computer technician qualification (not a 2 week course, it was 2 years), but after some problems, I realised I don't really want to be a computer technician. Also, there are no jobs for a techy around anyway...
Are there any parts of the security industry, where my previous qualification would be of great use?

I noticed you mentioned CCTV and Alarms, but I don't really know many other security industry jobs. Could you name and possibly describe a few please?

I don't mind if I am self employed or work for a business, so both options would be open.

Thanks again.

(P.S. For the record, I am only 19, thats why I dont know too much about the security industry )

[79commando]

Kendale has hit it on the head ref becoming a Locksmith. The private work has died a death with more Locksmiths, joinrers, glaziers and Taxi drivers working part time than ever before. I can't remember the last time I did an evening call out. Most of my competitors hold down regular jobs during the day and turn into locksmiths at night. The majority can't open an envelope as they have been trained by failed locksmiths with no real experience. Not Kendale by the way as he has a good reputation. If you want a laugh phone some of ther trainers up and ask to bring your own locks, if they don't pick them open tell them you want a refund. Most will hang up on you at this point.

Alarm installation isn't too bad but you are competing with £100 alarms from Screwfix that an idiot can fit. Fitting protective film to windows is one area that is untapped, or it was until I mentioned it

[mr lockpick]

Thanks for the advice and help.

On a rather shocking note, I read that on average you need at least 4000 people per locksmith... (Could have been mentioned on this forum)
Would you agree with that statement?

Because I did a search for locksmiths in Cornwall...according to Google Maps Business search there are just over 400 locksmiths :S

Which working on the rough population of Cornwall, works out at less than 1400 people per locksmith.

Admittedly some of the results are probably duplicates or not working anymore, but even working on half of the figure, it still doesn't reach 3000 per locksmith :S

Think I may have to reconsider my options...

Jet engine builder?

[kendale]

Hi,
You need to find a niche in the market to earn a good living and lockpicking is definitely not it at the moment, if you want to still go into locksmithing fine but you must specialise in something other than lockpicking.
Go into fitting mastered key locks for new businesses but buy your own key section so they can't go elsewhere for new keys etc, the bigger the system the harder it is to go elsewhere they are stuck with you.

You say you are into computers start a business fitting IP surveilance camera's but make sure you sell a maintainance contract to them each year so you get the repeat business and the revenue, 1000 systems on even a 50.00 contract each year means less advertising each year and a permanent income.

If you really want to go into locksmithing specialise in fitting electronic entry locks, they are the up and coming, there are more company's each day bringing out new electronic locks for domestic & commercial property, In a few years lever locks will be history when did you last open a car with a key its all fobs now and property is not far behind. This is a better way forward for you.
Ask anybody on here how to open an electronic rim cylinder or euro and your answer will probably be dewalt.

If you specialise in an area that nobody does around you then you can demand the price you want and thats how it should be.

Forget the lock picking and check out your own area for IP Camera's or electronic locking systems etc, Incidently a lot of these area's are covered by alarm campany's but they dont have a clue how to open or repair when faulty.

[sparkster]

As you have already found out there is a lot more to becoming a lockie than just taking a course, locksmithing covers a lot of things, domestic, safe and auto just to name a few, getting yourself noticed is the main thing, advertising can get very expensive for little or no return, most locksmiths go by word of mouth, you could start by sending your details to different institutes like schools, colleges, even a few cards in the shop windows may help, the cost of tools and replacement locks/mechanisms can become a bottomless pit for you to keep putting money into, then comes the cost of your vehicle and then liability insurance, it all add's up, try and learn as much as you can from lockpicking sites before you enrol on any course, you will get a lot of people saying this course is best or that course is best, they will tell you places where they learnt their skills, there are some really good courses out there, then theres also some courses run by people who have never been out on a call, they are just teaching you what they learnt on a course, you really need to do your homework before spending a shed load of money on a course only to find out its not the one your wanted or its not taught you what you need in the field your going to trade in, you can soon spend 5 grand on just the minimal amount of stuff.
Just be careful and ask a lot more questions before you part with your hard earned cash.

[mr lockpick]

Thanks for the help people.

I understand all the point that have been made and think I will consider something else...

There just wouldn't be enough business in Cornwall...

I will have a look into the electronic locks and related though.....sounds quite interesting.....
More research is in order I think.

I must admit...I cant recall much about electronic locks locally...apart from the local council, I don't think any use electronic locks at the moment...

Might be a possible area to cover.....

Thanks again for the help.

[toomush2drink]

I have to agree with ken especially as hes the guy who trained me !! Back then there were only about 6 courses to go on,now there are hundreds.If i didnt have a niche area i specialise in i would have gone under ages ago.Im not sure how any locksmiths rely on domestic work alone.Lockouts are very rare too as thats the market the nationals target so they can rip the arse out of the public.
Attended ifsec recently and the electronic stuff is big business in access control and ip cameras. Personally i would say go for access control as well as cameras, its a growing market.

One thing everyone overlooks with the setting up of a business and thats marketing the business.It doesnt matter how good you are after the course it doesnt mean anything if nobody can find you or has heard of you.It takes years to get word of mouth referrals making the phone ring on a regular basis so you need other methods of making the phone ring.Most get this part wrong and just copy everyone else.Its worth educating yourself in this area by going on a course or reading all you can especially with the recession biting.

[lockey1963]

Ken has told it as it is, good to see old grey haired git still alive and kicking, must catch up at some point.

You mention you heard that A1 dont cover autos etc as part of their course, thats because you cannot possibly earn it in the 3 weeks, it takes a long time to learn and master the basics of domestic without complicating things with autos and safes etc, all specialist areas that take a long time and alot of investment, you wont even learn 1 discipline adequately enough to make a living or be even competent in days, and wont remember all you are taught.
A1 at least cover lock fitting , and basic service work, still not enough for competence, but still better than those that promise all including auto in days.

MLA is the best route for a career, but takes a long time and costs to get there, and to be brutally honest the rewards are not there at the end any longer as to overpopulated . a niche area is a must and without it, it just wont happen, especially in an area like cornwall.

i would say you need at least 25,000 homes per locksmith to make any living at all, preferably 50,000 homes per locksmith, as most households need a locksmith once in their lifetime its not even a sure thing then.

you may as well blow the money on a party, at least you get a hangover.

look towards a specialist niche, the rest you can learn out of interest on forums, but keep your money and dont waste it lining a trainers fat pockets.

[mr lockpick]

Thanks for the info.

I see what you mean about the courses....
I think I will look into a specialist area.....not sure what yet though :S

As for the party idea....not really my thing tbh.....

Oh well....

Thanks for all the help and advice...I dare say you will get some more questions....

[slydog]

God! I wish I'd known about this forum before I undertook a locksmithing 'course'.

I was made redundant recently and shortly after noticed an article in a respected British newspaper(this was an article, not an advert) which espoused the virtues of undertaking a 3 day locksmithing course. This was backed up with a testimonial from a former truck driver who was now earning 'good money' and had good work/life balance blah, blah.....

Unusually for me, I was taken in by this and called up the course provider and arranged to start the following Monday, paying up front. I'm an ex member of HM Forces and was wary of courses offering to turn you into a skilled tradesman in 5 days or whatever. These courses are offered to service leavers, but I was sceptical about most of them.

So, I turned up on the Monday and was dismayed to find that the 'training centre' was in fact an enlarged shed at the back of somebody's house!!!!!!!!!! Alarm bells started to ring and I thought about cancelling and doing one.

The course started with the mica cards and gaining entry with the letterbox tool. Next was picking the pins in the barrel and then drilling the pins out. Then came the 3 and 5 lever mortice locks(picking and drilling) after which we moved on to the ERA Fortress and just drilled it. According to the instructors it can't be picked, but I've since seen it done on you tube! We also installed a mortice lock and and chubb 60mm nightlatch. They didn't show us how to make repairs to a door that has been kicked in. They also liked to keep informing us of what tools they could sell and that only a certain make of drill would be good enough. Which is bollocks. I'm a mechanical fitter by trade and the drill I have easily gets through 10mm stainless steel plate. I got the impression that they have a deal with a suppliers somewhere.

To be honest I didn't leave the course with great confidence, remembering that I will be dealing with peoples property and I don't won't to leave a front door full of holes. There's alot more to locksmithing then the course made out and it can't be learnt in 3 days.

Anyone care to guess who my trianing provider was?

[Mark A]

UKLA?

[lockey1963]

those not put off and still seeking training, look for realistic training, questions like does it include safes and auto in days or weeks is foolhardy.
auto is alot more complicated than people think, and involves alot more than a few tools and a huge investment, market changes so fast its hard to keep up and expensive.
opening work is few and far between as the recovery services offer this free to members now, also main dealers are drastically cutting their prices to undercut lockies as need the work at mo, so not only does it take years to learn, but expensive and ongoing to keep up with it.
safes more so again.

every course has the same thing in common, they teach you basic opening and lock changes, some a little fitting too, no where near enough to make a living, training is a lucrative money earner and nothing more, seriously save your cash.

UKLA it sounds like.

[Joshoh89]

Hi there!

I just joined recently to ask you guys a question.

But before I ask heres a little information. I'm 20, always been intrigued by lock picking (When I was younger around 16 and 17 I would "pick locks" around my house all the time, credit card method, ect.. lol sounds childish.) Point is I was recently laid off of from my job and I'm looking into locksmithing. (Part time perhaps to help me pay for college I have yet to start cause I don't have the money)

My queston is, Does anyone have any information or know anything about the class offered from (I live in florida)

Assured Business Group - Locksmith Training
Holmes Beach, Florida
http://www.assuredlocksmithtraining.com/

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!