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LOCKSMITH |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Locksmiths install, adjust and repair locks, make keys, and change lock combinations. They work on residential, automotive, commercial and institutional locksets and door hardware. Locksmiths may also install and maintain more sophisticated security systems.
Generally, the duties of a locksmith include:
Specific duties of locksmiths vary depending upon the area in which they work.
Shop locksmiths are responsible for:
Mobile locksmiths are required to work from mobile units. In addition to the duties of shop locksmiths they are also responsible for:
Safe and vault technicians have additional training in safe and vault servicing, and troubleshooting. They are skilled in opening safes, rebuilding, painting, moving and installing safes.
Locksmiths who service bank equipment are skilled in mechanical and electronic time locks, time delay devices, night deposit units, combination and electronic and key locks for vaults and safes.
Locksmiths should be in reasonably good health as they are sometimes required to manoeuver heavy objects and climb ladders. It is important that locksmiths have a willingness to keep learning about new developments in security equipment. Knowledge of electronics, welding, carpentry and metal working is an asset. Locksmiths should be reliable, accurate and honest.
Locksmiths usually work a five-day week but may be on-call nights and weekends to respond to emergencies. Some locksmiths are self-employed and may be required to work longer hours and have clerical duties related to running a business.
Some shops, especially mobile units, may be small and crowded, requiring locksmiths to work around benches, counters and stock. They sometimes are required to work in awkward or confined spaces. Those working in mobile units may be required to work in adverse weather conditions.
Successful locksmiths are often independent, self-motivated individuals who are experts in precision work. They usually enjoy solving problems and helping people.
Those individuals wishing to become locksmiths should possess:
Locksmiths are employed by locksmithing companies, related security firms, and institutions. The increasing awareness for preventative measures by the public to protect against theft is creating a need for more security measures; therefore, the demand for locksmiths is anticipated to remain fairly stable.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $20 to $30 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced locksmiths can advance to supervisory positions or set up their own business. Most locksmiths consider this to be a life-long occupation.
To work as a Locksmith in Alberta, a person must:
Locksmiths learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A locksmith who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Locksmiths who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a locksmith is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a locksmith in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
To be eligible to be an apprentice, a person must also hold a pick license issued under section 353 of the Criminal Code (Canada). The license is issued by the provincial Department of Justice. Persons with a criminal record are ineligible to obtain a pick license or work as a locksmith.
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice locksmiths earn at least 60 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70 percent in the second, 80 percent in the third, and 90 percent in the fourth year.
- apprentices are required to provide their own tools, individuals can expect to spend between $500 to $1,000. Most shops supply major specialized tools.
- select an educational institution that offers training for locksmith apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Locksmith trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
