Online Courses Recommendations

[Trini Chris]

Hi I just joined this Forum so looking for lots of advice.

I apprenticed under my father, worked with him and started my own business. I've been in this industry for almost 40 years, working on vaults, safes, combination locks, etc.

I have no Certification and was thinking that I would like to do so, to show that I do have qualifications other than just experience.

Should I spend the money to take a course where I will already know what to do? If so, what ONLINE courses do you recommend?

What are other options to be taken seriously?

Looking forward to your advice.

Thanks.

[billdeserthills]

My situation is similar to yours, I am self employed as I bought out the family business years ago,
when my Dad decided to retire. Over the years I have convinced myself that having a certificate
telling others that I am competent is nothing that I require. Even if I had a certificate, the public
wouldn't know what it meant, and the more I have thought about it, I have realized that there is
little of real value in me getting certified.

[cledry]

My situation is similar to yours, I am self employed as I bought out the family business years ago,
when my Dad decided to retire. Over the years I have convinced myself that having a certificate
telling others that I am competent is nothing that I require. Even if I had a certificate, the public
wouldn't know what it meant, and the more I have thought about it, I have realized that there is
little of real value in me getting certified.

You should be certified.

[billdeserthills]

My situation is similar to yours, I am self employed as I bought out the family business years ago,
when my Dad decided to retire. Over the years I have convinced myself that having a certificate
telling others that I am competent is nothing that I require. Even if I had a certificate, the public
wouldn't know what it meant, and the more I have thought about it, I have realized that there is
little of real value in me getting certified.

You should be certified.

Not the first time I have been told this

[jimu57]

I took a video based course and got a certificate. I guess I can take that certificate to the grocery store and get a cart full of food free.

[GWiens2001]

I took a video based course and got a certificate. I guess I can take that certificate to the grocery store and get a cart full of food free.

Keep it legal!



Gordon

[billdeserthills]

Just to be contrary,
I suppose if I wasn't self employed I might interest a better employer with some course certification(s)
But I don't see it doing much for me right now. The problem is even if I could put CML behind my name,
my clients would have no idea what it meant. It's like the ASE auto mechanic certification, it does nothing
for me, unless that means the certified guy can really fix my car & if he can, he doesn't need a certification

[Squelchtone]

I took a video based course and got a certificate. I guess I can take that certificate to the grocery store and get a cart full of food free.

Keep it legal!



Gordon

Not only that, please keep the thread on point and not just make a joke out of it. I get that everyone has their own strong opinion on if certs help or if they dont.


Squelchtone

[Trini Chris]

So what online course would you recommend?

[Jacob Morgan]

Personally, I don't think passing online courses or correspondence school courses would legitimize, so to speak, your real world experience. Those courses are for someone looking to break into the industry--pre-apprenticeship training, more or less. Sounds like you are well beyond that.

Maybe you would be better served by a certification through ALOA? The National Locksmith offers certification tests also, completely online too, but the industry does not apparently them too seriously. But, might impress a customer if that is what you are after.

[Squelchtone]

Personally, I don't think passing online courses or correspondence school courses would legitimize, so to speak, your real world experience. Those courses are for someone looking to break into the industry--pre-apprenticeship training, more or less. Sounds like you are well beyond that.

Maybe you would be better served by a certification through ALOA? The National Locksmith offers certification tests also, completely online too, but the industry does not apparently them too seriously. But, might impress a customer if that is what you are after.

He's not in the US though. I think he's more asking which is better Foley Belsaw or Penn Foster. Not sure either is really "online" as opposed to correspondence by mail.

Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

Personally, I don't think passing online courses or correspondence school courses would legitimize, so to speak, your real world experience. Those courses are for someone looking to break into the industry--pre-apprenticeship training, more or less. Sounds like you are well beyond that.

Maybe you would be better served by a certification through ALOA? The National Locksmith offers certification tests also, completely online too, but the industry does not apparently them too seriously. But, might impress a customer if that is what you are after.

He's not in the US though. I think he's more asking which is better Foley Belsaw or Penn Foster. Not sure either is really "online" as opposed to correspondence by mail.

Squelchtone

In that case, since Foley Belsaw went out of business, it must be Penn Foster

[Squelchtone]

Personally, I don't think passing online courses or correspondence school courses would legitimize, so to speak, your real world experience. Those courses are for someone looking to break into the industry--pre-apprenticeship training, more or less. Sounds like you are well beyond that.

Maybe you would be better served by a certification through ALOA? The National Locksmith offers certification tests also, completely online too, but the industry does not apparently them too seriously. But, might impress a customer if that is what you are after.

He's not in the US though. I think he's more asking which is better Foley Belsaw or Penn Foster. Not sure either is really "online" as opposed to correspondence by mail.

Squelchtone

In that case, since Foley Belsaw went out of business, it must be Penn Foster

Wait, what? I was not aware of this, when did that happen? So no more Foley paper catalog of useful locksmithing tools either? Thats too bad.

EDIT: you sure about this Bill?
Their website is up and the phone number still works.
http://www.foley-belsaw.com

[billdeserthills]

I think I read about it in one of my locksmith magazines, but this convinces me www.foley-belsaw.com/courses/
The end of an era

[Jacob Morgan]

I think I read about it in one of my locksmith magazines, but this convinces me http://www.foley-belsaw.com/courses/
The end of an era

This was posted here, under the Foley-Belsaw sticky under licensing, a couple of weeks ago. May explain why their locksmithing catalog has been running some big clearances last couple of issues.