UK's Largest Trade Association For Locksmiths

Apprenticeship in Locksmithing

The UK’s first locksmith apprenticeship

As of 2023 there is currently no apprenticeship in locksmithing being run, but we do run a range of beginners locksmith courses perfect for those with no experience.

We also run a Official OFQUAL Level 4 certificate in locksmithing, which is rewarded after passing the MLA Exam.

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    About Previous Locksmith Apprenticeship

    The Master Locksmiths Association developed the UK’s first locksmith specific apprenticeship. An apprenticeship in Locksmithing that helped anyone progress in the locksmith industry.

    With the lack of government regulation of the locksmith industry and even the lack of recognition of locksmithing as a true profession, the MLA decided to do something about it and fund the development of the UK’s only nationally recognised qualification and locksmith apprenticeship.

    There were 2 off the job locksmith training courses included in the formal apprenticeship scheme – the MLA’s 5-day beginners locksmith course and opening course, as well as students that learnt on the job with their employer.

    Apprentices were regularly assessed by an MLA assessor to ensure that skills in the required areas were being developed.

    How to become a locksmith
    View our training courses

    Educational Requirements.

    It is important to note that there are some specific requirements for English and Maths skills for those taking the locksmith apprenticeship.

    What are the English & Maths Requirements?

    The requirements are summed up in the graphic below ( click to view full size )

    Locksmith apprenticeship requirements larger image

    What If I Don’t Meet The Requirements?

    If the apprentice doesn’t meet these requirements then they can either get them before taking the apprenticeship (n.b. local college or further education centre) or they can take a course run by Skills for Security (depending on age there may be a cost associated with this).

    Beginners courses – perfect starting point
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    What was Covered in the Locksmith Apprenticeship?

    The areas covered by the apprenticeship was split into various sections.

    5 mandatory topics:

    • Reducing the risks to health and safety at work
    • Communicate effectively with others
    • Conduct dynamic risk assessments during the locksmith activities
    • Key system design and locks assembly
    • Cut and provide keys

    A choice of either:

    • Prepare and maintain equipment and machines

    Or

    •  Meet customers need locksmith information & advice

    and

    •  Maintain security of customers keys & records during locksmith activities

    And finally any 2 of the following:

    •       Provide a complex quotation for security devices and door hardware
    •       Provide a simple quotation for security devices and door hardware
    •       Survey sites to collect information for the specification, installation and
      maintenance of security devices and door hardware
    •       Diagnose and rectify faults on security devices and door hardware
    •       Open security devices to gain access to property and equipment
    •       Install security devices and door hardware

    Is there funding available?

    The short answer is YES.

    • 16 – 18 Years Old – the course is fully funded.
    • 19+ Years Old – apprenticeship is partly funded with 50% employer contribution.

    Do I get a Qualification?

    The short answer is YES, whilst the MLA led the way with the development of the first NVQ for Locksmithing a number of years ago.

    The association has continued to help the industry develop by funding the locksmith apprenticeship.

    Those who successfully pass the apprenticeship will have a  Level 2 Certificate in Locksmithing –  the only nationally recognised qualification that currently exists for locksmiths.

    Locksmith qualifications guide

    Don’t be fooled by the marketing hype from some training organisations, they don’t offer qualifications, they are simply “tailored awards” which means certain criteria set by the awarding body have been met – and some not insignificant fees have been paid.

    So if you’re looking to start your career in Locksmithing, consider the apprenticeship as the way of getting an actual qualification, and if you’re an employer and want staff to get qualified, then consider putting them on the apprenticeship.

    MLA Exam – level 4 qualification

    Testimonials From Past Course Attendees

    To see what working locksmiths have thought of this course in the past and how it has benefitted their business.

    Despite spending nearly 3 years within the industry – the formal training clarified a lot of info that I hadn’t picked up in the locksmithing trade
    Harry McGinley | Newark & Sherwood Locksmiths

    I would definitely recommend the course as I think it’s ideal if you’re starting from scratch and want to learn the basics of locksmithing in an easily digestible format!
    – Conor Watson | Haines Security

    As the apprenticeship scheme has now ceased, sadly the above apprenticeship is currently on hold.

    For information about our beginners locksmiths courses please contact our head office via our freephone number 0800 783 14 98 or contact us via the website:

    MORE INFORMATION

    Read through our becoming a locksmith FAQs below which cover all the important topics to anyone new to locksmithing.

    Contact us for advice

    Request FREE course pack

    Becoming a locksmith FAQ’s

    Further Reading

    Training Course Dates

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    22-26 Apr 2024

    5 Day Beginners Course

     to 

    Member Price: £1605
     | Non-Member Price: £1760

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £1605
     | Non-Member Price: £1760

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    15-19 Jul 2024

    5 Day Beginners Course

     to 

    Member Price: £1605
     | Non-Member Price: £1760

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £305
     | Non-Member Price: £330

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    22-26 Apr 2024

    5 Day Beginners Course

     to 

    Member Price: £1605
     | Non-Member Price: £1760

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £1605
     | Non-Member Price: £1760

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    15-19 Jul 2024

    5 Day Beginners Course

     to 

    Member Price: £1605
     | Non-Member Price: £1760

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £365
     | Non-Member Price: £395

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £310
     | Non-Member Price: £340

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £305
     | Non-Member Price: £330

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £620
     | Non-Member Price: £685

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £350

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    10 May 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £260
     | Non-Member Price: £310

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    6 Jul 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    23 Jul 2024

    Level 2 Opening

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    23-27 Jul 2024

    5 Day Advanced Course

     to 

    Member Price: £1326.85
     | Non-Member Price: £1760.40

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £265
     | Non-Member Price: £310

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £399
     | Non-Member Price: £449

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    14 Sep 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £210
     | Non-Member Price: £240

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £350

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £299
     | Non-Member Price: £399

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £399
     | Non-Member Price: £449

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    23 Nov 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    10 May 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    6 Jul 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £305
     | Non-Member Price: £330

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    14 Sep 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £305
     | Non-Member Price: £330

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    23 Nov 2024

    Van Lock Fitting

    Member Price: £450
     | Non-Member Price: £520

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £265
     | Non-Member Price: £310

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £115 Per Module
     | Non-Member Price: £160 Per Module

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £150 Per Module
     | Non-Member Price: £230 Per Module

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £245
     | Non-Member Price: £305

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

    Member Price: £115 Per Module
     | Non-Member Price: £160 Per Module

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

     to 

    Member Price: £150 Per Module
     | Non-Member Price: £230 Per Module

    Master Locksmiths Association, 1 Prospect Park, Valley Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1TF

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