Can Anybody Become A Locksmith?

Locksmithing involves a very specialist set of technical skills and training, meaning that locksmiths tend to be in great demand and can earn a very good living by charging for their services. However, while it might seem an exclusive and closed industry, it is actually open to anyone with the right attitude and a willingness to learn.

This article looks at what it takes to become a successful locksmith, and looks at the types of people who choose this career path and what their backgrounds are.

Many of the attributes that make a good locksmith are the same as those that stand any tradesman in good stead. These include a fondness for manual labour, the flexibility to work irregular hours and good time management skills.

However, there are also other more specific characteristics that are distinctly useful for locksmithing, for example a good mind for problem solving, and a high level of dexterity in the hands.

So what kind of person becomes a locksmith? The first thing to note is that individuals from certain backgrounds tend to be more suited to becoming locksmiths that those from other, less relevant fields. People leaving the military tend to be among the best suited to becoming locksmiths, as the confident manner and strong work ethic that army life breeds tends to serve people well in a dynamic and customer-orientated service like locksmithing.

Another demographic from which people often go on to become good locksmiths is ex-tradesmen and women. Builders, electricians and plumbers all have prior experience of working with their hands using tools, and working to strict time constraints. With builders in particular having been hit hard by the recent recession and economic downturn, many are now deciding to become locksmiths and take advantage of the steady income and less volatile market this industry offers. They often find locksmith work not dissimilar from their previous occupation, and are thus able to thrive in this new environment.

Despite the obvious advantages of coming to locksmithing from certain backgrounds, locksmiths can come from anywhere and any profession nowadays. While it has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, a lot more women are now starting to look at the locksmith profession as a genuinely rewarding and viable career path.

What people still don't often realise about locksmithing is quite how accessible it is to newcomers. A complete week-long locksmith training course, covering all the necessary skills and knowledge to start in the industry, can cost as little as £2000. Contrast this with how much it now costs students to study an academic degree - somewhere in the region of £60,000, with often no guarantee of employment afterwards.

Looked at in these terms, the value for money offered by a locksmith course is very considerable indeed. There can be few other skilled jobs that you can jump right into after a week's intensive training and start making money. If you have the right attitude and work ethic, there's no reason why there couldn't be a bright future as a locksmith awaiting you within easy reach.


Article Source: David Lakins