How To Become A Locksmith

I recently lost my key that I use for my outhouse and as I did not have a spare key for it and there was no other way of gaining entry, I had to phone for a locksmith to come and rescue me - or rather rescue my pet rabbit who actually lives in the outhouse in his new hutch! The locksmith arrived at my home within thirty minutes and very kindly blasted the door down with his specialised equipment and then proceeded to advise on a new lock.

We had a brief chat about his work which is a family business and I found it to be rather interesting, especially as he described the varied jobs he is called out to attend to. As a professional locksmith, no two days will be the same, that’s for sure.

Some of the roles that a locksmith will have to be prepared to do as a skilled professional in various services related to locks and keys, include performing assessments and price estimates either over the phone or in person. This will all depend on the work that needs to be undertaken and can be in a variety of settings such as residential homes, businesses and even many vehicles.

New locks may need to be installed or repaired if they are damaged or malfunctioning and keys may need to be cut either from existing keys to make a duplicate or new keys to fit new locks. Old and broken locks will need to be removed by the locksmith and the locksmith may need to change internal mechanisms which prevent old keys from working thus allowing for new keys.

The locksmith will be skilled in unlocking doors and windows or gaining entry without further damage, helpful for those who are simply locked out of somewhere.

Some locksmiths may be required to install and maintain advanced security systems which may include electronic locks, combination locks, timing devices and access control systems.

The opening, repairing and installation of safe services are often the responsibility of the locksmith who must be able to work in emergency situations and be adept at troubleshooting and solving problems and complexities around lock, key and security issues.

The locksmith will be competent in offering guidance, advice and assistance to their customers, whatever the job entails.

No formal qualifications are needed to become a locksmith but you will need certain attributes for this role which can include having a good eye for detail, manual dexterity, effective customer service skills, technical proficiency and mechanical aptitude, problem solving skills and a great deal of patience.

There are many training courses as well as private training companies which offer appropriate training that will give you the specific skills and knowledge that you will require which will then enable you to apply to a company directly or to work for yourself.

Salary will depend upon a variety of factors such as experience, location and the complexity of work being carried out. Highly experienced or specialist locksmiths can earn considerably more than entry level locksmiths while those who are self employed or offer emergency call out services can potentially earn more.

Choosing to become a locksmith has many advantages and is a rewarding profession for those who enjoy working with their hands, solving often complex problems and of course, helping people. It offers a good balance of job security, variety of work and potential for growth as long as you are willing to invest in training and continuous learning.