FAQs - Automotive locksmith training

 Answer: Yes. This is how it works:- On each of the 5 days their is a focus on one car manufacturer allowing you to practise both opening & decoding their specific lock types. Working individually on each module you will constantly build upon your knowledge throughout the week and further cement that knowledge by working on specific cars within the schools compound. By the end of the week you will have picked ignitions, made keys by hand, extracted broken keys and finally programmed keys into each cars ECU enabling the car to start – and therefore have ALL the necessary technical skills to trade successfully as an automotive mobile locksmith.

 

2.       What other tools would I need to purchase after the course?

 

Answer: Each delegate is provided with the lockout tools needed to gain entry to all the vehicles presented on the course, as well as being able to open many other ‘locked-out’ vehicles – these lockout tools the delegate can take home with them after successful completion of the course. Transponder programming machines are available for purchase on the course, alternatively they can be bought at a later date. Key cutting machinery is also discussed in detail on the course - Silca key machines are made available for the duration of the course in order for the candidates to practise their skills.

 

A total start-up cost which includes:- a transponder key programmer, software, key blanks, ford key cutting machine & standard key copier machine, begins at £4000 going up to in excess of £30,000. We advise the low start-up cost option and therefore servicing a limited BUT popular range of vehicles initially. This enables you to self fund future growth rather than a balloon ‘risk-all’ start up cost.

 

3.       How is the course delivered?

Answer: The course is instructor led and is held in our state of the art training workshop. Each candidate has his own workstation and learns each module in a totally ‘hands-on’ format. The knowledge is further cemented by practising on actual ‘working’ cars within the compound of the training school.

 

4.       How do I further my knowledge after the course is completed?

 

 Answer: We currently offer a Part II car course which includes different cars for the delegate to work on:- BMW, Fiat, Volvo and Nissan. Pin code extraction is also included on this course where delegates will be shown how to chip read and solder/de-solder.

 

5.       What qualifications or authorisation do I need to be a trading locksmith?

 

Answer: In the UK today there are no recognised NVQ qualifications in locksmithing (don’t take our word for it just phone up City and Guilds today and enquire). Locksmiths (like many other trades) do not have a national register and there are currently no governmental or legal requirements when setting up and trading as a locksmith (up and above your standard insurance policies which we explain on the course).

 

6.       There are lots of training companies offering locksmith courses, why should I train with ‘1st Call Lockouts Ltd’?

 

Answer:

·          The techniques that we teach on the course are those we use ourselves on a day to day basis as practising locksmiths (looking after Selfridges, Axa Sun Alliance, Birmingham City Council to name but a few).

·         We are an approved Chubb Super Centre, Mul-t-Lock centre (one of the worlds highest security lock manufacturers) as well as an approved Paxton Access installer. This gives you, while you are on the course, an insight into the new technologies that are on the market today.

·         We are one of the only 5 day locksmith courses on the market today. We aim to deliver a course that covers all the necessary lock opening & programming techniques within automotive locksmithing in a totally realistic and hands-on format.

·         We train you from our locksmith workshop which is designed specifically with the apprentice locksmith in mind. We have noted that some companies teach from hotel conference rooms and home addresses.

·         You will become a registered locksmith on our Nationwide Network of Approved Locksmiths (providing you with an ID card, plus a FREE entry of your company details onto the web search database). Please visit www.nnal.co.uk

·         We provide you with quality reference materials (that we have designed in-house), which are yours to take away at the end of a course.

 

7.       Is it necessary to join a locksmith association?

 

Answer: Why join? This is the question you need to ask yourself when joining any association. In the UK it is not a prerequisite in becoming a locksmith neither is it a legal requirement. If you join an association do you make more money as a company? (Or do you pay your yearly subscription and you hear nothing more – only you can make this decision). If you believe there are valid reasons in gaining such a membership then you should hand over your money. We will however give you details of the UK and US associations that you may wish to consider after you have all the facts in front of you.

 

8.       Do we get to keep all the tools we use on the course?

 

Answer: Yes. On day one you are supplied with a tool box full of automotive locksmith tools that you will be given instruction on throughout the week. These tools are yours to keep and use as you begin as mobile automotive locksmith.

 

9.       I still have questions?

 

Answer: Please call on 0121 459 8722 and we will be happy to answer any further questions.