Canadian Locksmith Associations
Professional Locksmiths Association Nova Scotia is one of the groups a locksmith in Canada would want to be involved with to increase their chances of a solid career in locksmithing. There is also the Association of Professional Locksmiths, the Canadian Alarm and Security Association, the Master Locksmiths of Quebec, Inc., and the Professional Locksmiths Association of Alberta. While it is not necessary to overwhelm your schedule and interests, joining at least one of these important groups can provide positive benefits. One of those benefits is to be able to keep abreast of the latest news and happenings in the world of the locksmith. Another benefit is to build a bond between yourself and others in the same field of work.
Making a positive image for a locksmith and his/her business is just one of the most important investments towards a healthy future in the business. Canadians take pride in their country and their training for locksmiths. An apprentice must first be hired as a trainee. They must find a journeyman for a mentor and enroll in the apprenticeship program. Eight weeks of class at a college are required, followed by an exam administered by the government. There are four periods of training this way that must be completed successfully before being given the honor of the Journeyman Locksmith title.
The Canadian locksmith must do more than memorize the test material to pass the written exam. He or she must understand and apply the material with competence. The instructor supervises the hands-on learning.
There is an annual locksmith auction for Ontario locksmiths, a golf tournament, a locksmith academy, an electric door operator class, and a locksmith convention. The basic locksmithing courses cost $300. There are separate costs for each area of locksmithing. Panic Exit Devices course costs $275. Lock Picking costs $175. Basic Safe Searching costs $275. There’s also Access Control, Door Closer Installation, Tricks of the Trade, and many more courses available for advanced learning.
Of course, there is an at-home course that one can enroll in that suggests a budding locksmith can earn over $17 an hour after only nine months of training. Much like the distance courses offered in the United States for locksmiths, Kwikset and IICO are listed as the locks and key making machinery used during training. This course gives locksmith skills necessary; however, apprenticeship under an established locksmith gets you paid while you learn real-life situations rather than textbook versions. You can learn much from a seasoned professional, including what not to do!
Whether you are learning in Canada, the United States, or Australia, education and apprenticeship are necessary to establish a locksmith career base.
Learning on your own may give you the barest of starts, but you will need to prove yourself worthy of your title. The only way to convince future employers or future customers that you deserve their business is to be able to show valid certificates and licenses. Landing the big accounts will mean showing that you had the devotion and interest to prove yourself trustworthy.