In tough times, the best solution for job seekers is to pick a field where there will always be work. This usually leads to less glamorous careers, but skilled blue collar workers can make as much money as those in the white collar world, and unlike many jobs in the modern age, it is nearly impossible to outsource their services. That’s what makes locksmithing such an attractive option, and the best part is that you can start earning money even while you are training.
Requirements
Each state has its own requirements for determining who can and cannot call themselves a professional locksmith. In some cases, you need only walk into city hall and register your business. Other states require a two or four year apprenticeship under a master locksmith and some states will require classes on top of your apprenticeship or in place of it.
Regardless of the legal requirements, you will want to go through the proper channels in order to establish your credibility. Nobody is going to hire you over an established locksmith if you aren’t certified or you can’t reference a skilled locksmith as your trainer.
The First Step and Beyond
The first thing you will want to do is page through the phone book until you find the locksmiths in your area. Once you’ve done that, give them a call and ask whether they would mind if you stopped into their shop for a chat. They will be able to give you a thorough rundown of exactly what you will need to do to become an established locksmith.
If there aren’t any locksmiths in your area or none of them are willing to talk to you, seek a local trade school. They should be able to give you all the training you’ll need, but if all else fails; you can try getting in touch with the ALOA, otherwise known as The Associated Locksmiths of America. They provide certification for everything from general locksmithing to specialties such as automotive locksmithing. If you have their nod of approval, people will know that you are capable of doing the job.
Keep in mind, however, that some states have their own examination that you have to pass before you can legally practice locksmithing within their borders. The ALOA can help you prove that you know what you need to know, but if your state has their own required test, there is no way around it; you will need to pass if you want to work as an independent professional.
Locksmithing is a lot more complicated than it may seem on the surface. It requires an intricate knowledge of how certain mechanisms interlock. In general, the bigger and more important something is, the more complicated it is to master. That’s why if you are looking into this field, you will do yourself a major service by specializing in safe cracking, or learning the ins and outs of automotive locks. One extra certification can drastically increase your asking price, and if you seek employment from a major business, you can raise your salary just by getting some extra training. Remember, raising your pay rate will often be cheaper than hiring someone new, so make yourself as valuable as you can and you will thrive.
[Patricia Holt blogs about interesting and off-beat careers, including locksmithing. If you are interested in becoming a locksmith, you can get in touch with locksmith.net to learn more about the requirements in your area.]
