locksmith courses

[smithy]

can anyone tell me if theres any locksmith courses in scotland.i have looked on google but i cant seem to find any

 

[lockie]

Your question should be "where is the best locksmith course that will give me a good headstart into the industry?"

Do your homework because many locksmiths are struggling due to market saturation because of training schools churning out "fully trained locksmiths" after a two day course.Most trainers set up training schools after doing a 2 day course and then struggling to survive as they didn't earn the grand a week the training school promised.

5 years ago there were 5 training schools now there are over 100.If each one is turning out 2-5 new locksmiths every weekend that is a lot of new locksmiths trying to get work.Now add to that all the chippies and carps doing a bit of locksmithing to bump their money up because the building game is slowing up and you can see its not a pretty picture.

My own domestic work has plummeted this year as more and more jump on the bandwagon but fortunately i do loads of commercial work for big business which gets busier every week.I get calls every week from other lockies looking to sub work from me,which says it all really.If i have work to sub out it goes to other members of the organisation im in.no one else gets a look in.it also works this way with other locksmiths, i do lots of work for a locksmith in luton with a national contract,other lockies my way wont get a look in at this work.

You need deep pockets to get anywhere in this trade,picks are expensive.The latest fortress lock pick is about £580 plus vat.It will only do a fortress lock too.

I know several locksmiths up north and a couple are struggling to get work so how are you going to get yours ?

 

[stumac]

Your question should be "where is the best locksmith course that will give me a good headstart into the industry?"

Do your homework because many locksmiths are struggling due to market saturation because of training schools churning out "fully trained locksmiths" after a two day course.Most trainers set up training schools after doing a 2 day course and then struggling to survive as they didn't earn the grand a week the training school promised.

5 years ago there were 5 training schools now there are over 100.If each one is turning out 2-5 new locksmiths every weekend that is a lot of new locksmiths trying to get work.Now add to that all the chippies and carps doing a bit of locksmithing to bump their money up because the building game is slowing up and you can see its not a pretty picture.

My own domestic work has plummeted this year as more and more jump on the bandwagon but fortunately i do loads of commercial work for big business which gets busier every week.I get calls every week from other lockies looking to sub work from me,which says it all really.If i have work to sub out it goes to other members of the organisation im in.no one else gets a look in.it also works this way with other locksmiths, i do lots of work for a locksmith in luton with a national contract,other lockies my way wont get a look in at this work.

You need deep pockets to get anywhere in this trade,picks are expensive.The latest fortress lock pick is about £580 plus vat.It will only do a fortress lock too.

I know several locksmiths up north and a couple are struggling to get work so how are you going to get yours ?

great answer lockie a couple of years ago i looked into it and decided against it as there was no way i could get the type of money required to start up and some of the courses out there were well just mickey mouse. i visited a few and was not impressed. then i discovered that even if you find a course that includes a few basic tools you than had to decide what tools to buy and what stock do you need, and where do you get etc. then i checked out a small ad in yellow pages and for me to be effective i would need to advertise in across three book areas, it was going to cost thousands. anyway all in all i rekoned on spending on 30k just to stand a chance.

that said i am nearly in a position to look at again only this time i will have the money available.

so can anyone answer the question lockie mentioned were is the best locksmiths course that will give me a head start into the industry?

sorry to hijack your question smithy just wanted to know as well. and i couldnt find anything in scotland either but to be honest i am prepared to travel wherever as long as its worthwhile

 

[Andrew Stewart]

The training industry has become saturated over the last couple of years with training companies being formed but failing to deliver or train students properly.

These 2 day and 3 day locksmith training courses really don't do the job and require a health warning. If you are serious about training to be a locksmith my company can provide this training. The locksmith course is not one that we promote and most students are refered via other students that we have trained over the last few years.

If you want any further information or just a chat give me a call 0845 2300 629 Andrew.

 

[lockie]

great answer lockie a couple of years ago i looked into it and decided against it as there was no way i could get the type of money required to start up and some of the courses out there were well just mickey mouse. i visited a few and was not impressed. then i discovered that even if you find a course that includes a few basic tools you than had to decide what tools to buy and what stock do you need, and where do you get etc. then i checked out a small ad in yellow pages and for me to be effective i would need to advertise in across three book areas, it was going to cost thousands. anyway all in all i rekoned on spending on 30k just to stand a chance.

that said i am nearly in a position to look at again only this time i will have the money available.

so can anyone answer the question lockie mentioned were is the best locksmiths course that will give me a head start into the industry?

sorry to hijack your question smithy just wanted to know as well. and i couldnt find anything in scotland either but to be honest i am prepared to travel wherever as long as its worthwhile

I know several lockies in scotland and believe me they have it sewn up between them.I passed them a job the other day.

If you are determined to go for it then what part of the trade are you looking for training in ? Locksmithing requires a lot of skills not just lockpicking which to be honest is a very small part of it.
How do you expect to get your work ? If you know this answer then you know what training you need.

You could get into warrants and go out picking locks all day but you have to be good or they wont use you again.Need to invest in lots of tools and have a good hand at picking.
Perhaps the domestic market is your thing (just like every other start up btw) so you will need woodwork skills,upvc skills,key cutting and more.

Commercial could take you into access control,aluminium doors and their hardware,armour plate glass doors and their hardware. (not much training in this area im afraid).

Safes (need big pockets for the tools and then expect to sub from others to get work.The established guys get the juicy stuff).

Auto work another area with little training available and big pockets needed for the electronic equipment to programme everything.

So which direction interests you and then you know what training you need to go down that route.

Oh and stay away from anvil up your way,not good. The only organisations i would say are worth joining are the mla or icl. The mla has the best training for bench skills and general locksmithing.The icl for picking skills.

Think it through long and hard as i would say you are 3 years too late with so many "giving it a go". Its also about who you know and that is key to getting anywhere.If i cannot do a job then i know a man who can and sub it out. Ive built up contacts of safe engineers,apg door specialists,access control and more.

Networking through the icl has helped loads to gain these contacts.

to survive you need a niche,mine is security gates and grilles.My supplier even passes me work as the relationship is strong.I look after them and they look after me.
Took another one of my contracts out for dinner this week,cost a fortune but worth it.

 

[stumac]

cheers lockie what you said confirms most of what i have thought, i was impressed with icl when i checked them out, but to be honest it will probably be next year before i look into it all again, hadnt really thought about the warrant thing till just the other day when i watched a neighbours house being picked with police and baliffs in tow. thanks for the detailed responce though gives me some more to think about.
andrew thanks for the offer but not really in any hurry at the moment i need to concentrate on my current business at the moment.

 

[lesliedocherty]

lockie, you are one informed chappie, great amount of knowledge you have

 

[idistribute]

I would be grateful to anyone else who fell for this Scam by Tim Martindale !! . Trying to do good things for others led me into poverty, . To think I was so stupid to pay 5 grand for 30 cardboard boxes with chocolate in them, and then, to rub salt in, honesty boxes, and people were Nicking.

Then he (TM) glibly removed the supply chain, without any warning. No contact number. Website went down, sad effort of a website, it was a page. I was sent a letter on the most cheap paper, after months of trying to track him down from his various addresses.

I see him advertising his totally vending website, and the business opportunity to go with it... Please, folks, stay away !!
When I challenged him, he said the business had no money, therefore, how could I get my money back.
Hey, I'm a single mum and it felt like he was laughing at me. I have no money left to chase through courts. I bought on my credit card, in good faith, I'll be paying for a long time.
Thing is he worked on people's emotions. I loved the sound of Fair trade, I believed in it. It was not viable with honesty boxes.
Like my partner said, 'you're running around promoting fairtrade, and you're the one gonna be picking potatoes if you're not careful'
I rest my case. How right he was.

 

[stumac]

I would be grateful to anyone else who fell for this Scam by Tim Martindale !! . Trying to do good things for others led me into poverty, . To think I was so stupid to pay 5 grand for 30 cardboard boxes with chocolate in them, and then, to rub salt in, honesty boxes, and people were Nicking.

Then he (TM) glibly removed the supply chain, without any warning. No contact number. Website went down, sad effort of a website, it was a page. I was sent a letter on the most cheap paper, after months of trying to track him down from his various addresses.

I see him advertising his totally vending website, and the business opportunity to go with it... Please, folks, stay away !!
When I challenged him, he said the business had no money, therefore, how could I get my money back.
Hey, I'm a single mum and it felt like he was laughing at me. I have no money left to chase through courts. I bought on my credit card, in good faith, I'll be paying for a long time.
Thing is he worked on people's emotions. I loved the sound of Fair trade, I believed in it. It was not viable with honesty boxes.
Like my partner said, 'you're running around promoting fairtrade, and you're the one gonna be picking potatoes if you're not careful'
I rest my case. How right he was.

what you on about i am confused, whats this got to do with locksmithing

 

[Encantador]

I would be grateful to anyone else who fell for this Scam by Tim Martindale !! . Trying to do good things for others led me into poverty, . To think I was so stupid to pay 5 grand for 30 cardboard boxes with chocolate in them, and then, to rub salt in, honesty boxes, and people were Nicking.

Then he (TM) glibly removed the supply chain, without any warning. No contact number. Website went down, sad effort of a website, it was a page. I was sent a letter on the most cheap paper, after months of trying to track him down from his various addresses.

I see him advertising his totally vending website, and the business opportunity to go with it... Please, folks, stay away !!
When I challenged him, he said the business had no money, therefore, how could I get my money back.
Hey, I'm a single mum and it felt like he was laughing at me. I have no money left to chase through courts. I bought on my credit card, in good faith, I'll be paying for a long time.
Thing is he worked on people's emotions. I loved the sound of Fair trade, I believed in it. It was not viable with honesty boxes.
Like my partner said, 'you're running around promoting fairtrade, and you're the one gonna be picking potatoes if you're not careful'
I rest my case. How right he was.

No idea what the connection with this thread is, but if it is a scam, try getting your money back through the CC company who are jointly liable.

 

[lockie]

lockie, you are one informed chappie, great amount of knowledge you have

Not really just telling how it is, the training schools dont do this as it affects their business.

Warrant work involves going around with the gas and electricity companies either gaining entrty to get a meter reading or gaining entry to change the monthly payment meter to a prepaid meter.It often kicks off on this type of work as not ,many people are happy with you breaking into their house court order or not.

 

[Speedymail]

The training industry has become saturated over the last couple of years with training companies being formed but failing to deliver or train students properly.

These 2 day and 3 day locksmith training courses really don't do the job and require a health warning. If you are serious about training to be a locksmith my company can provide this training. The locksmith course is not one that we promote and most students are refered via other students that we have trained over the last few years.

If you want any further information or just a chat give me a call 0845 2300 629 Andrew.

Spam alert. Nothing makes your different, its almost ironic you posted actually. Your so bespoke you have a 0845 number.

 

[lockie]

I wouldnt worry the original poster and other posters seem to have done their homework and can see it for what it is.So many off them exist its crazy.

 

[Speedymail]

I wouldnt worry the original poster and other posters seem to have done their homework and can see it for what it is.So many off them exist its crazy.

Fair one lockie, I can see why it would wind you up though lol. I was chatting to an old aquaintance who had been made reundant as a HGV driver a few weeks back and he had just paid something insane like £4000 to do a plumbing course! I could actually feel my facial expression letting my words down as he explained there was a guaranteed job at the end.

 

[stumac]

I wouldnt worry the original poster and other posters seem to have done their homework and can see it for what it is.So many off them exist its crazy.

aye your not wrong there its not rocket science to spot. i have about a thousand questions i want to ask but no point at the moment because i dont have the money to do this seriously, but if all goes well i may pick your brains if you dont mind

 

[locksmith101]

there are many video clips about locks on youtube, they are not professional courses, but still a good add on.

 

[locks on doors]

Your question should be "where is the best locksmith course that will give me a good headstart into the industry?"

Do your homework because many locksmiths are struggling due to market saturation because of training schools churning out "fully trained locksmiths" after a two day course.Most trainers set up training schools after doing a 2 day course and then struggling to survive as they didn't earn the grand a week the training school promised.

5 years ago there were 5 training schools now there are over 100.If each one is turning out 2-5 new locksmiths every weekend that is a lot of new locksmiths trying to get work.Now add to that all the chippies and carps doing a bit of locksmithing to bump their money up because the building game is slowing up and you can see its not a pretty picture
My own domestic work has plummeted this year as more and more jump on the bandwagon but fortunately i do loads of commercial work for big business which gets busier every week.I get calls every week from other lockies looking to sub work from me,which says it all really.If i have work to sub out it goes to other members of the organisation im in.no one else gets a look in.it also works this way with other locksmiths, i do lots of work for a locksmith in luton with a national contract,other lockies my way wont get a look in at this work.

You need deep pockets to get anywhere in this trade,picks are expensive.The latest fortress lock pick is about £580 plus vat.It will only do a fortress lock too.

I know several locksmiths up north and a couple are struggling to get work so how are you going to get yours ?

Hi Lockie ..with all due respect not sure that the cause of locksmiths struggling is due to large number of courses on offer churning out hundreds of locksmiths a month although it seems a logical conclusion , i suspect the large number of courses on offer is a result of locksmiths setting them up to diversify into training to supplement their own diminishing income , i think lack of demand for locksmiths is one reason speaking from personal experience as a locksmith one year on after completing a locksmith course , many new locksmiths go to the wall after a couple of months so there is a natural weeding out process , it doesn,t seem to matter how large your yellow pages ad is the demand is not as great as these courses would have you believe ,, lockouts only represent about 1% of a locksmiths income so what does that leave you with ? work that can be carried out by a chippie , handyman or a upvc speciaist , put the title locksmith on your advertisement and people believe they are in for a hefty bill for a lock fitting , handyman is a more wallet friendly title although locksmith screams specialist and integrity to some people , also look at how much the quality of locks has improved over the last few years , fewer breakdowns also who thinks about upgrading their existing lock that works perfectly , people dont fix whats not broken . I can only afford to keep going by supplementing my locksmith income with other unrelated work , uppermost for me is i enjoy locksmithing , i didn,t really get into it to make a fortune more the job satisfaction .. Anyone thinking about doing a course should think about how they are going to supplement their income if they are serious about setting up a business ...

 

[steveoxo]

Ive been a locksmith for four years and at last ive been dropped from some of the warrant companies because i cant pick/drill mortice locks quick enough and i suspect that the warrant company has found a new starter who undercut me. ( and i only charged £100 for half a day !) To be honest im not that bothered because after paying for diesel on a round trip i'd probably made £75. On top of that theres the wear and tear on the van, the possibility of violence as locky quite rightly says and the very real probability on missing out on your own work ( lockouts etc ) Becoming a locksmith used to be a skill handed down from father to son or you had to complete an apprenticeship, and little wonder. If i knew how much was involved with locksmith'ing for years ago i'd probably have chosen another profession. However i do enjoy my own work and love being self employed. I joined the site to search out marketing campaigns to generate more work and i think ive settled on delivering flyers from door to door during the many quiet periods. I'll survive because my wife works and ive been accepted as a part time firefighter but i'd warn anybody who wants to become alocksmith that at the moment there seems to be more locksmiths than locks !

 

[mattyr95]

I've recently been looking at locksmith courses as I am keen to emigrate to Australia and locksmith is one of the trades that they are keen to recruit.

The course that I have been looking at is run by a company mentioned earlier in this thread by Lockie; Anvil Locksmiths in Whitely Bay. You warned against them Lockie. Are they really that mickey mouse? They are a City & Guilds approved centre and offer a level 3 qualification but I am wary of this as the course is only 5 days. (It used to be 3).

I can understand how training companies like these can have been to the detriment of the trade by undermining it. However, would their training suffice to help me in my bid to emigrate? Does anybody know of other people who have managed to emigrate as a skilled worker off the back of one of these courses?

Matt

 

[Craig HelpTrainingCourses]

Hello

Just read that you are looking for a Lock Smith Course in Scotland. I run an advertising website which is dedicated to the training industry and there is a Lock Smiths course listed but it is in Maidenhead. It might be worth going onto the site www.helptrainingcourses.com and getting their contact details as they may well run courses in other areas.

Hope this helps

Craig

 

[danedwrds]

I love this forum and has helped me a lot about my work. I think that just like any profession, as a lockie, you need to innovate and advertise. Well, delivering flyers may be a good way - the best way to get work IMHO is to get the word out about your business. My dad was a locksmith and I loved how he could earn income while having enough time to spend with us and go after his interests. I decided to follow his footsteps (after a couple of years working in the corporate setting).I learned a lot from my dad's "practice" but I am still bent on getting locksmith lessons to get updates about the industry. This site has helped me understand the pros and cons of the profession, and I will bear in mind all your suggestions. Thanks!