If you’re looking for a new career path, there are loads of different options open to you. Not many will offer a genuine way to learn a craft though, which is exactly what you’ll get on your road to becoming an expert locksmith. What’s more, while some trades are starting to suffer, the demand for good locksmiths is still as large as ever – which means becoming a locksmith can also be a pretty lucrative career choice!
There are many people out there who want to become locksmiths, but they have one little problem: they simply don’t know where to start! So, below you’ll find out how to become a locksmith, as well as loads of great other facts as well!
What Exactly Does a Locksmith Do?
This might seem like a stupid question, however locksmiths actually do more than simply tinkering with locks. While working in this role, you might be required to complete jobs such as key cutting, selling security products, and working with electronic locks, on top of the more commonly known aspects of being a locksmith. Of course, fitting and removing locks is a pretty large part of the job though!
Are There Any Nationally Recognised Qualifications?
There is just one single nationally recognized qualification in the locksmith industry, and it’s an apprenticeship that has only recently been introduced. This apprenticeship is run by the Master Locksmiths Association, and is extremely comprehensive in most areas of training. This organization also runs various other courses – all of which are highly regarded – however they don’t lead to specific qualifications.
Essentially, qualifications can be useful, however they are certainly not vital when looking to become a locksmith. This is because there is another, far more common, route into the industry…
Learn from Experienced Locksmiths
Most locksmiths simply start off working for someone in the industry, usually for pretty low pay. During this time though, they’ll get to watch a master at work, and learn vital skills such as removing and fitting locks, helping people get into their homes, and fitting combination locks. As you learn more and more, your employer should trust you to start doing jobs on your own, and eventually you’ll be able to call yourself a fully-fledged locksmith!
Don’t make the mistake of thinking an experienced locksmith will teach you everything though, as you’ll also need to do a lot of work on your own. Read up on the best locks; find out where you can purchase locks from (Fast keys locks are regarded as some of the very best); and hone your customer service skills.
Have a Great Business Plan
Once you have the skills needed to be a great locksmith, you are probably going to want to strike out on your own, and join the millions of people classing themselves as self-employed in the UK. It’s not simply a case of heading out and starting to work though, as huge amounts of planning must happen before you help your first customer.
Some of the things that you’ll need to organise before you go into business include:
- A vehicle (plus signwriting)
- Tools
- A website
- Business cards
- A business bank account
- An accountant
- Promotional materials
The last point is perhaps the most important, as promoting your business is going to be perhaps the most important thing you do. At the start, you’ll spend most of your time handing out leaflets, speaking to potential customers, and getting your name out there. Only once people know who you are can you relax and watch the work start to flow in.
Facts You Need to Know
It’s never a good idea to head into a new career without having the facts about it first. Perhaps the most important thing to understand about being a locksmith is this though: don’t believe the courses that claim you’ll earn £60,000 p/a. or roughly $86,000 About half that figure is realistic, but remember: your wage will be significantly lower at the beginning.
The working hours of a locksmith are also something to understand, as this isn’t a simple 9-5 job you’re getting in to. Instead, you’ll be expected to rise out of bed at any time, ready to help a stranded homeowner get back into their house, or assist someone who has just been broken in to. So, if you are someone who likes your sleep, being a self-employed locksmith might not be the best career choice!
So, the above information should be enough to get you started on your road to becoming a locksmith. The training can be tough, but once you are established, it’s more than worth it!
Have a great afternoon! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
You lost me when you mentioned going out at night to open locks…. However, I will forever be grateful the locksmith who showed up for me almost twenty years ago. I had put my toddler daughter in the house while I carried in bags of groceries. Some how the lock got stuck with her and my keys inside and me outside. She cried and looked out the glass door at me, but couldn’t help me open it. Did I mention it was very cold and my wonderful neighbor brought me gloves and hot chocolate while I waited for the locksmith to come?!
Best article i have ever read about this field. thanks for sharing
My cousin is looking to begin a new career and this seems a really lucrative way to make money on the side while he is still schooling. I love that apprenticing is an option too. I will pass him the information. Thanks.
I always love hearing good stories about locksmith’s. Getting locked out of your home or car is something that everyone does at least once in their lives. This is why locksmith’s are such an important part of our community. Without good locksmiths we all would be locked out of our homes.
I’m glad you talked about the one qualification to become a locksmith: apprenticing. For someone looking to become a locksmith, that really saved me trouble later. One thing that I love about the locksmith industry is that the demand for locksmiths is not going anywhere any time soon, since everyone uses keys for at least their house and car. I hope by knowing that, I can have enough confidence to pursue this career as best as possible.
Thank you for sharing this informative piece of article