There has been a great deal of discussion over the perception of the locksmithing profession and much debate about what this national qualification will mean for practicing locksmiths on a day-to-day basis.
So why do we at the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) believe that such a national qualification is a step in the right direction for the industry, and why do we wish locksmiths to support the Association’s ambitions?
We have been working with the security sector skills body Skills for Security for months now to spearhead the development of a nationally recognised qualification that will help legitimise the locksmithing profession, raise standards and boost perceptions of locksmithing as a skilled trade.
I’m sure most locksmiths will have come across customers that have passed comment about paying a perfectly reasonable fee for a job they claim ‘didn’t look that difficult’. Although a lot of industries will come across this same issue, it also indicates the misconception members of the public have of locksmithing, with many perceiving the trade as more of a ‘job’ rather than the reality of it being a skilled profession.
Years of training and high levels of skill
In many instances, customers do not understand the years of training and level of skill required to become a professional locksmith and take the services provided for granted.
Although something might look ‘easy’ to them, in reality the thought and understanding behind the actions taken by a locksmith are not simple. With every job, individuals apply their expertise and use their knowledge to provide a valuable service.
It can be argued that customers sometimes don’t consider the fact that a locksmith has had to train and practice for years to build up their skill levels. Neither do they consider the fact they are constantly learning how to use new products and about complex regulations in order to provide them with the best possible advice and service.
The MLA feels a national qualification that recognises a minimum standard of achievement and is instantly recognisable to the public and fellow locksmiths will go a long way towards combating these misconceptions and raising the profile of the profession.
Locksmithing as a career
As the UK’s biggest locksmithing Trade Association we are constantly striving to ensure minimum levels of skill and ethics exist in the trade.
Sadly, we’re increasingly seeing a number of training courses that promise would-be locksmiths a GB pound 60,000 salary after just two days of training. Although we all know locksmithing can be a rewarding career, it’s by no means the ‘get rich quick’ industry that some training providers would have everyone believe.
A national qualification will help combat this problem through a new regulation system whereby awarding bodies will require training organisations to meet minimum criteria such as adequate premises and hands-on experience for trainers.
In turn, this should help raise standards and address the issue of people attending training courses and then, shortly thereafter, setting themselves up as trainers – a bugbear of many in the industry.
In addition, a national qualification is also expected to help employers gain a better understanding of the competency of staff they may be looking to employ, so it not only helps with public perception but also within the industry itself.
Apprenticeships: creating a framework
In addition to supporting those established in their careers, the development of a national qualification will lead to the creation of a formal apprenticeship framework which currently doesn’t exist.
This would enable employers to gain funding for training their apprentices (subject to certain criteria) and provide locksmiths with an excellent, solid introduction into the world of locksmithing.
We’ve all seen the headlines about the Government’s intentions to create more apprenticeships in the coming years. To add to this, we have seen MLA members struggling to find new staff, wanting to be able to take on apprentices but not being able to currently do so.
This not only reaffirms our belief that there is demand for such training but we also feel this clearly shows that the locksmithing industry is proud to support young people wanting to enter the profession.
Concerns over the proposals
As with all initiatives of this nature we are well aware of some concerns regarding the national qualifications and believe it is important to address a few misconceptions out there about the project as early as possible.
First, despite marketing claims by some providers, at the moment there are no nationally recognised qualifications available to locksmiths. Currently, only tailored awards exist so this new qualification will hold a unique position in the marketplace.
Second, a nationally recognised qualification is just that – nationally recognised. It is not something that a group/association/training provider can ‘hijack’ for themselves or for their exclusive benefit and, although the MLA is funding the qualification, it will be open to all locksmiths and we will not have sole delivery of it.
Any qualifications will also be optional, so it doesn’t mean that those who’ve been in the industry for a while will have to take the exam (although they are of course welcome to do so).
Developing a national qualification will go a long way towards helping the public understand the skills required to be a locksmith and at the same time highlight genuine industry desire for appropriate regulation, accountability and raising standards – which can only be a good thing.
We are delighted to have received some fantastic feedback from MLA members, non-members, manufacturers and stakeholders about the positive impact they feel a nationally recognised qualification will achieve and greatly appreciate all of the support we have received to date.
Start of something major for the sector
While establishing a national qualification for locksmithing may be one small step, it’s hopefully the start of something bigger for the industry at large. It won’t clear up all the issues faced overnight, but we have to start somewhere and we believe this is the way to move forward.
In the same way that the National Occupational Standard was a stepping stone towards establishing a nationally recognised qualification, the qualification itself will be a stepping stone towards creating the apprenticeship framework, which in turn will see this whole process move another step towards any potential future regulation of the industry – whether that be Government or industry led.
Dr Steffan George is development director at the Master Locksmiths Association
- The Master Locksmiths Association was established over 50 years ago to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and materials within locksmithing.
- The MLA is recognised as the authoritative body for locksmithing by the police, the Home Office and other leading organisations such as the British Standards Institution.
- As a not for profit association, the MLA ensures its member companies undergo strict vetting procedures so that members of the public, Government and industry receive the appropriate service and advice. /li>
- MLA members share the ethos that ‘skill and integrity’ remain paramount in locksmithing and are able to provide sound advice based on knowledge and experience.