The A1 course is an excellent course, but will give you limited value now. My advice would be to spend the money on more productive courses. I would contact DG supplyline and do their upvc course, it's currently the best available. I would also contact your local adult education centre and do a basic carpentry course.
These 2 courses will give you a great grounding in upvc and frame and door repair which is where you will make money, as these repairs are common and where most locksmiths fall down.
I would then do the bs training day and learn the bs picks and their methods, as this is a key area, you can do this through 24/7 or come to me direct,
www.24-7locksmiths.co.uk , or to me direct
www.rapidlocksmith.com
These would cost you;
DG Supplyline UPVC Course £450
basic carpentry £200
bs training day with me £250
The above is all you will need for lock fitting , upvc repairs , upvc strip repair and replacement, upvc repair, deglazing and reglazing, frame and burglary repairs and picking all types of bs lock.
There is no more of value you can learn as a mobile unit.
The only part of the A1 course that might now suit you is the auto part, which is a one week course run by mb auto locksmiths, at £950 for a weeks training. This depends on if you want to go into cars.
By all means do the 3 week course , but you will spend less and learn more productive skills by splitting it up as above, then learn at your own pace and as toomush says have money left for picks which you can't work without.
