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Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Wondering which locksmith course to take? Looking for locksmith license info for your locale? This is the forum for you.

Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Idgas » 2 Jul 2011 14:23

Does anyone have an informed opinion about the locksmithing program at North Bennet Street School? Did you attend or know someone who has?
Idgas
 
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Evan » 2 Jul 2011 18:57

Idgas wrote:Does anyone have an informed opinion about the locksmithing program at North Bennet Street School? Did you attend or know someone who has?


@Idgas:

What are your specific questions about NBSS ?

Someone asked about a comparison between NBSS and a course offered at The Peterson School here a little over a year ago...

School Training (OP: rmac2010) May 31, 2010

~~ Evan
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Idgas » 2 Jul 2011 20:07

Evan, I saw your post in the other thread before I started this one. But everything you wrote about I had already found from NBSS's website or my emails to them.

I am simply looking for first hand opinions of the school and it's graduates. Ideally I will hear from someone who attended NBSS or is working (or worded) with someone who did attend.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby deception » 2 Jul 2011 20:30

I attended NBSS, ask away.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Idgas » 2 Jul 2011 20:35

deception wrote:I attended NBSS, ask away.

Knowing what you know now would you attend the school?
After graduating and starting work did you find yourself well prepared to do your job? What were you not ready to do?
How long ago did you attend?
Was the program worth the time and money you spent?
Would you recommend the school and program to someone or why not?
What does the school do well and not well?
Idgas
 
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby deception » 2 Jul 2011 21:29

Knowing what you know now would you attend the school?


Yes, I would still attend.

After graduating and starting work did you find yourself well prepared to do your job? What were you not ready to do?


Just graduated, so I'm not sure I can really answer this question. However, since I have looked at job applications, the only thing they didn't really teach was blueprint reading, which apparently employers look for. They are helpful in looking for employment, so imo, that's good.

How long ago did you attend?


Like I said, I literary just finished a month ago.

Was the program worth the time and money you spent?


I personally spent zero on the school. It was paid for me, by the GI Bill, So again, can't really comment on if it was worth the money, since I didn't really spend anything.

Would you recommend the school and program to someone or why not?


If your serious about getting into the business, sure. I feel as though I learned a lot, (I got Mul-T-Lock certified and Abloy Protec certified as well.)

What does the school do well and not well?


Um, they seemed to do everything well in my opinion. The instructor was helpful for me, and helped me join ALOA, there was plenty to keep me busy, although at some points, I would get bored due to finishing first. Bad? Hrm.. the option to bring my own tools would have been nice, I broke like 2 steel files which were the ones they provided with they're tool kit. Then again, I consider myself to get pretty aggressive with tools. The tech could have been alittle bit more updated, the videos were from like the 90's and stuff. Didn't do too much auto stuff, but I don't really want to do auto openings.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Idgas » 2 Jul 2011 21:35

First thank you deception. Do you plan to stay in the Boston area or work someplace else? Why did you pick NBSS?
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby deception » 2 Jul 2011 21:54

Idgas wrote:First thank you deception. Do you plan to stay in the Boston area or work someplace else? Why did you pick NBSS?


I'm moving out of the Boston area.

I'm actually set to attend a course by Lockmasters Security Institute right now, and will be attending the ALOA convention, to get some factory certifications.

So right now, I'm not really looking for a job.

As far as why I picked it. It seemed like it was a good school, they were willing to take my GI Bill, and it seemed like the longest course I could find, so I figured they would teach a lot.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Evan » 3 Jul 2011 9:12

Idgas wrote:Evan, I saw your post in the other thread before I started this one. But everything you wrote about I had already found from NBSS's website or my emails to them.

I am simply looking for first hand opinions of the school and it's graduates. Ideally I will hear from someone who attended NBSS or is working (or worded) with someone who did attend.


@Idgas:

NBSS is one of the only trade schools in New England (the closest other ones are in New Jersey and NYC) that will give you a trade school diploma in Locksmithing... All of the other schools that offer such courses are only offering "certificates" for completing the course...

After asking deception all the questions you have I think the better question for the discussion here (and the one which is the most important to the topic) is what are you looking to do after you attend NBSS ? If you know what you are hoping to get out of attending a particular program you will be able to better assess whether or not it will suit your desires/needs/goals...

~~ Evan
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Idgas » 3 Jul 2011 16:31

It is time for a career change, my second. I went from retail management to corporate technology rose to be a bank VP with a development team our jobs went to India (some went to Indians imported to the US.)

Now at 49 it is time to change careers again. I want something that I will be able to do for as long as I want to work (read workaholic), be able to either start or buy my own business after have worked awhile, and still has a bit of problem solving involved.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby deception » 3 Jul 2011 16:57

Idgas,

If your interested you can go there and ask for a tour of the facility. No one is there right now, but they will still show you the department. You can also swing by the instructors shop and talk to him if it's something your seriously into.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Idgas » 3 Jul 2011 17:23

deception wrote:Idgas,

If your interested you can go there and ask for a tour of the facility. No one is there right now, but they will still show you the department. You can also swing by the instructors shop and talk to him if it's something your seriously into.

I have already spoken with Rob O'D. and intend to visit soon.

Again, thank you taking the time to answer my questions.
Idgas
 
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Evan » 4 Jul 2011 11:10

Idgas wrote:It is time for a career change, my second. I went from retail management to corporate technology rose to be a bank VP with a development team our jobs went to India (some went to Indians imported to the US.)

Now at 49 it is time to change careers again. I want something that I will be able to do for as long as I want to work (read workaholic), be able to either start or buy my own business after have worked awhile, and still has a bit of problem solving involved.


@Idgas:

Look for institutional employment once you finish your schooling... You will get a good 15-ish year career in before you have to consider retirement... I don't think you would like doing the late night calls as a commercial locksmith for auto and home lockouts in the shady parts of town... The pace is also "time is money" and trying to fit in as many jobs as possible in a given work day might not be something that you would want to do as it can get stressful...

~~ Evan
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby deception » 4 Jul 2011 12:43

Evan wrote:
Idgas wrote:It is time for a career change, my second. I went from retail management to corporate technology rose to be a bank VP with a development team our jobs went to India (some went to Indians imported to the US.)

Now at 49 it is time to change careers again. I want something that I will be able to do for as long as I want to work (read workaholic), be able to either start or buy my own business after have worked awhile, and still has a bit of problem solving involved.


@Idgas:

Look for institutional employment once you finish your schooling... You will get a good 15-ish year career in before you have to consider retirement... I don't think you would like doing the late night calls as a commercial locksmith for auto and home lockouts in the shady parts of town... The pace is also "time is money" and trying to fit in as many jobs as possible in a given work day might not be something that you would want to do as it can get stressful...

~~ Evan



Most Institutions are looking for around 5 years of experience from atleast what I've seen. There are a few no experience required, but those are rare.

This is atleast my experience.
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Re: Locksmithing training at North Bennet Street School

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 4 Jul 2011 14:46

Evan wrote:
Idgas wrote:It is time for a career change, my second. I went from retail management to corporate technology rose to be a bank VP with a development team our jobs went to India (some went to Indians imported to the US.)

Now at 49 it is time to change careers again. I want something that I will be able to do for as long as I want to work (read workaholic), be able to either start or buy my own business after have worked awhile, and still has a bit of problem solving involved.


@Idgas:

Look for institutional employment once you finish your schooling... You will get a good 15-ish year career in before you have to consider retirement... I don't think you would like doing the late night calls as a commercial locksmith for auto and home lockouts in the shady parts of town... The pace is also "time is money" and trying to fit in as many jobs as possible in a given work day might not be something that you would want to do as it can get stressful...

~~ Evan


I went from private to institutional.

You can stay an institutional technician, no matter the trade, for as long as it's feasible for your employer and your body. We have technicians that have been at our facility for nearly 3 decades. The other locksmith has been here just over 23 years. Maintenanceguy would be someone to ask as well.

Occasionally, I do get called in for emergencies, but I did so voluntarily. Typically, going on call 24/7 means a few extra thousand a year. I get called once or twice a month. It's definitely advisable if you're looking to make more money.

Unfortunately, most institutional employers are looking for someone with experience - they don't have the time or setup to train. Remember, we're not making money but rather trying to save our employer money through PM and repairs. You may get lucky, however, with training and certifications. You also might have to put in some years with a mobile or storefront locksmith to build up the experience institutions are looking for.

Good luck. It's a great job.
Tyler J. Thomas
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