Acceptance to an employer-sponsored period of locksmith training is required to become a locksmith apprentice. Although these programs are not as widely available as traditional locksmith apprenticeships, some adult vocational or trade schools offer locksmith courses of study that combine both classroom learning and hands-on practice of the trade. Before accepting a candidate to become a locksmith apprentice, some established locksmiths who teach apprentices may require or at least encourage mastery of basic locksmith terminology and tool usage. Examine the various areas for locksmith specialties such as banks vaults, automobile locks, or commercial safes that business establishments keep on a regular basis before applying for an apprenticeship.
Preliminary research can often assist you in making the best choices for your locksmith apprenticeships. It’s a good idea to conduct a few informational interviews with journeymen locksmiths to see if you could work as a locksmith apprentice with any of them. Different locksmiths may have different job responsibilities, pay rates, and apprenticeship lengths ranging from one to five years. Personality compatibility, as with any type of work environment, can be a factor. Before applying to be a locksmith apprentice under a journeyman locksmith, you should get along with him.
Once you’ve decided to work as a locksmith apprentice for an experienced locksmith, you’ll want to double-check that he has the necessary certification. Many jurisdictions demand that all locksmiths pass a comprehensive certification exam covering all aspects of the trade. Unfortunately, a small number of locksmiths choose to become self-taught while avoiding certification, and receiving training from one of them is frequently regarded as dubious at best.
A high school diploma is usually required when applying for a locksmith apprenticeship. You may also be asked to complete a separate form or submit a resume that details your relevant education and previous work experience. Prior experience working with tools, as well as completion of at least one correspondence course covering the fundamentals of locksmithing, is often considered a plus. Depending on the local laws in your area, you may also be required to pass a police background check and be fingerprinted. Because a trained locksmith possesses a set of skills that could be misused, a history of certain criminal acts, such as larceny, will usually disqualify a candidate from becoming a locksmith apprentice.