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How to become a Locksmith

Locksmith jobs

Locksmith course

Career progression and salary expectations for a Locksmith

Trainee Locksmith

| Up to £12,000

Locksmith

| Up to £24,000

The role of a Locksmith

What does a Locksmith do?

Looking to unlock the key to your perfect career, break into a brand new industry, or hear various other puns? You should be a Locksmith…Locksmiths make, sell, maintain and fit locks for businesses and members of the public. They may also help with entry into a property or secured object, in cases where the key is broken or lost.For the modern-day Locksmith, their work often isn’t always limited to the world of locks either. In fact, everything from key-cutting to installing CCTV systems and safes comes under their remit. For a Locksmith, safety always comes first.Typical duties for a Locksmith may include:

Preparing quotes and costing-up jobs
Installing and changing locks
Repairing faulty or damaged units
Picking locks to help people gain entry back into their property, such as their car or house
Selling and installing safes, CCTV, and other security systems
Cutting keys

Is a career as a Locksmith right for me?

To become a Locksmith, you will need excellent customer service skills, first and foremost.You may be dealing with distressed members of the public, desperate to get back into their property, or looking to secure their house after a recent break-in, and being able to deal with them with tact and empathy will be incredibly important.Being a Locksmith is a powerful position, but with great power, comes great responsibility. Mainly, that responsibility is not to cause any unnecessary damage. Also, not break into places. That too…Other key attributes for aspiring Locksmiths include:

Manual dexterity
Patience
Flexibility
A calm head under pressure
Excellent problem-solving skills
An openness to working late shifts, or on call

What's it like to be a Locksmith?

"A typical day for me basically revolves around being on call. Someone will give me a ring with the job they want done, and fill me in with a few details. I’ll then give them a quote, and they’ll give me the go-ahead to get cracking. A job will usually take around an hour, if it’s not too complicated, and then it’s back to the shop to get on with all the other bits. It’s quite a gratifying job when you get everything right, especially if helping people that are in trouble or changing the locks on a brand new home. You also get to sort out other stuff, like faulty security alarms that keep going off. That’s probably more annoying…"

Get qualified as a Locksmith

There are no set formal qualifications needed in order to become a Locksmith, although a number of providers have courses to help you get into the industry. The most common route is to become a trainee or apprentice.

Recommended Locksmith courses

Online Locks And Locksmithing Diploma

Elearn College

Locks And Locksmithing Diploma with free certificate and transcript
- Compare
- Online
- 6 months · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
Great service

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...and enhance your skills with our Locks and Locksmithing Diploma. This comprehensive online course sheds light on the fascinating chronicles of locks and keys, their evolution, and the intricate art of locksmithing. Our Locks and Locksmithing Diploma delves into the annals of lock history …
£29