Tuesday 26 November 2013

Guest blog post from Locksmith Training Academy student Thomas

Earlier on this year Academy student Thomas took a 5 day NCFE level 4 course in locksmithing. In this guest blog post Thomas talks about his experiences, skills and knowledge in locksmithing of which he has gained whilst taking a course at the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy.  

For more information in regards to the courses run at the Keytek Locksmith Training Academy please visit www.locksmiths-training.co.uk

"After recently completing the Keytek™ Academy course I was very impressed with the extent of the skills demonstrated and aspects of the industry that are covered within the week."

"I came to the academy with little to no knowledge or skills in locksmithing and carpentry. The techniques shown by the course trainer were a great starting point and simple enough for me to understand."

"The course content itself included techniques that would be needed for both lock fitting on site and upgrading a customer’s locks to British Insurance Standards. This demonstrated to me the importance of fitting parts that will be in compliance with a customer’s home insurance."

"The course content covered the fitting of a wide range of locks, the destructive and non destructive methods of entry including uPVC mechanisms and wooden doors and how they operate. I left the course feeling that I could happily start working within the locksmithing industry with a great overall understanding of the trade, which has helped me to complete jobs for customers with confidence.

"A huge thank you to all of those involved, including the patience and care taken by the course trainers to ensure everybody received individual feedback and guidance. In conclusion, I am happy to have passed an accredited NCFE Level 4 course in locksmithing. After taking this course I feel confident enough to carry out the skills taught by the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy on the road."  

Thomas
Academy Course Student 2013

Guest blog from a locksmith training student

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Locksmith Training and Locksmith Jobs for Armed Forces Leavers

What you need to know


Locksmith training courses available to Military leavers
Every year, hundreds of men and women leave the armed forces and are faced with the challenge of re-integrating with civilian life and work. It can be a stressful time, but one which the government has tried to ease with the Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) and Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) schemes, which provide funding for re-training in a new career.



The funding can be used for a huge variety of educational and training opportunities (everything from fine art degrees to flight training), but one of the most common uses is to put it towards the cost of a locksmith training course.

Find out more about using your funding here www.locksmiths-training.co.uk/elc-funding/ 

So why are locksmith courses so popular with military leavers?

 

Locksmith jobs and careers with Keytek
First of all, the industry itself is attractive for a whole number of reasons. Demand for locksmiths is high, and is largely recession-proof (people are always going to get locked out of their homes!), while the nature of the work offers a degree of flexibility when it comes to working hours.

Locksmithing is also a job that is particularly well suited to military leavers. The key characteristics required to be a successful locksmith include a confident manner, perseverance, and the ability to carry out skilled manual work – all of which are traits common to those who have spent any length of time in the Armed Forces.


Working for Keytek™


Keytek™ is one of the largest National Locksmiths in the UK providing both Domestic and Commercial locksmith services for over 15 years. Over the years the Company has been able to build an extensive Engineer Network across the UK and Northern Ireland. Engineers wanting to join the Engineer Network will join on a sub contractual basis, meaning that working hours and time off is tailored to suit their needs. Keytek™ is able to provide all of it’s Engineers with all the help and support they need from technical to paperwork in the form of the Technical Department and Engineer Liaison Team.

To find out more about National Locksmith Keytek™ visit www.keytek.co.uk

Your new career as an Accredited Locksmith


So what kind of training is needed to become a locksmith?


Most people who are completely new to locksmithing start with a short, intensive course which allows them hands-on practice and expert tuition on the essentials of the industry. While this course will not give a comprehensive knowledge of all there is to know about locksmithing (that only comes with years of experience and constant learning), it does give a firm foundation to start working in the industry, either as an independent operator or as a sub contractor for an established company.

Use your ELC funding towards locksmith training


Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy


The Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy offers a variety of locksmith training courses to help you on the way to starting your career as a professional locksmith and is the only training provider able to offer a Level 4 Accreditation, the highest level accreditation within the industry.

All courses are taught in state of the art facilities and are tutored by highly experienced industry professionals. The locksmith training courses are tailored to meet specific industry requirements and to suit the needs of military leavers as newcomers to the industry.

Students training at the Keytek Locksmith Training Academy


If you have any questions regarding the courses provided by the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy or would like to be sent an information pack, please call the Academy Team on 01202 711 195 or to find out more about the locksmith courses we run visit www.locksmiths-training.co.uk/locksmith-training-courses-2/

Monday 4 November 2013

Setting standards for the industry through Locksmith Training...

For over four years now Keytek™ Emergency Locksmiths have been running a Locksmith Training Academy in Poole, Dorset to help set the standards for the locksmithing industry and provide support for it’s nationwide customer base.

Training facilities at the Keytek Locksmith Training Academy


The initial goal of the Locksmith Academy is to offer those wishing to join the industry a gateway to a career as a professional locksmith through its locksmith courses. It is in fact the only training provider in the country that is able to provide a Level 4 Accreditation, which is the highest level of Accreditation within the industry. The Academy is not only aimed at new comers to the industry but also aims to help industry professionals enhance their skills in the latest techniques and technology. All of the courses are run at the Academy’s comfortable, state of the art facilities and are taught by highly experienced industry professionals.    

Student at the Locksmith Training Academy


Locksmith trainer teaching students at the Locksmith Training Academy


Find out more about the courses run at the Academy by visiting www.locksmiths-training.co.uk or calling 01202 711 195

Benefits

Those who have trained through the Keytek™ Academy are able to benefit from further help and support from Keytek™
These benefits include...
  • Ongoing 24hr onsite technical help from the in-house Technical Department.
  • Discounted stock and tools.
  • Full stock ordering facilities.

Military Leavers

For Military leavers locksmith courses have always been increasingly popular particularly because it is so well suited to the characteristics required to be a successful locksmith and the ability to carry out skilled manual work. Next week’s blog post in the locksmith training series will be going into more detail about locksmith training for Armed Forces Leavers. 

Leaving the Military? Use ELC funding towards a locksmith course


To ease the transition for Military leavers in their resettlement period the government are able to provide funding through Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC).

To find out more about using ELC funding towards a locksmith course at the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy please visit www.locksmiths-training.co.uk/elc-funding

Friday 1 November 2013

Advice on the uPVC security risks that were highlighted on Sue Hills Crime File on This Morning

As you may have already seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ today ex–burglar Michael Fraser who you may remember from BBC television programme ‘Beat the Burglar’ demonstrated that he was able to snap a Euro Profile cylinder in just four seconds!

uPVC security risks highlighted on Sue Hills Crime File

In this blog post Craig, the Head Trainer at the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy gives his own advice, tips and information in regards to what security risks this video has highlighted...

This week’s ‘Sue Hill’s Crime File’ on ‘This Morning’ highlights a design flaw in Euro Profile cylinders. It basically shows how a Euro Profile cylinder can be removed from the door and how the lock case can be manipulated therefore allowing an intruder to gain entry to a property. In fact it is not a new problem and it doesn’t just apply to uPVC doors only.

Any style of door that has a Euro Profile cylinder fitted to it could be at risk. The information contained in the video is accurate to a degree and having a BS Kitemarked cylinder will offer more resistance to this type of attack, but as with any product, they are manufactured to different price points and vary in levels of quality.

When choosing a Euro cylinder please bear in mind that having the Kitemark is the MINIMUM standard you should have but there are other higher security alternatives such as the the TS007 3 star rating accreditation.

When having a new Euro cylinder or any other type of lock replaced we always recommend that you contact a locksmith who can carry out a full home security and insurance compliance check as part of the service and recommend a quality product that conforms to all of the relevant standards for your insurance and your peace of mind.

Craig
(Head Trainer at the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy)