How do I learn the locksmithing trade?
Joe Kesselman posted this advice: The mail-order courses will teach you the very basics — but that’s just a starting point. Their main value is in teaching you what questions to ask and some terminology so you can go on to learn more from other sources. You _can_ get started this way, but it takes determination and considerable additional effort. As with any trade, there’s a lot of detail to learn and skills that come only with practice. If you’re planning to apprentice to an established locksmith (not at all a bad idea) you might want to start by asking around and determining whether the folks in your area would be more likely to give you a chance after you’ve taken one of these courses. Some consider the course a helpful bootstrap, some don’t. In my area, shops seem to be looking for folks who are willing to take on the automotive work so the principals can spend their time doing more interesting (and lucrative) stuff, and I’m not convinced the learn-at-home classes teach much that’
Joe Kesselman posted this advice: The mail-order courses will teach you the very basics — but that’s just a starting point. Their main value is in teaching you what questions to ask and some terminology so you can go on to learn more from other sources. You _can_ get started this way, but it takes determination and considerable additional effort. As with any trade, there’s a lot of detail to learn and skills that come only with practice. If you’re planning to apprentice to an established locksmith (not at all a bad idea) you might want to start by asking around and determining whether the folks in your area would be more likely to give you a chance after you’ve taken one of these courses. Some consider the course a helpful bootstrap, some don’t. In my area, shops seem to be looking for folks who are willing to take on the automotive work so the principals can spend their time doing more interesting (and lucrative) stuff, and I’m not convinced the learn-at-home classes teach much that’
