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Beginners Locksmith Courses (1, 2 & 5 days) – Book Now

Beginners Locksmith Training Courses MLA - Perfect for Beginners

These 1-day, 2-day & 5-day locksmith courses run by the Master Locksmiths Association are for beginners new to the industry; our training courses will teach you everything needed to become a locksmith from how to cut keys by hand to opening, picking and fitting locks.

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We run 4 different courses during a 5 day week; the first is a 2-day Foundation Course perfect for someone with no experience or new to locksmithing and 3 follow-on courses.

Looking to be a car locksmith? See our beginners auto locksmith course which teaches you how to unlock and open cars.

5 Day Locksmith Course – Perfect for Beginners

Our 5-day beginners course has 4 modules during the week, select which course you want to take or attend every course during the week.

5 Day Beginners Course
2 Day Foundation Course
Fitting Course (1 Day)
UPVC Course (1 Day)
Level 1 Basic Opening Course (1 Day)

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Course Dates & Prices

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5 Day Beginners Course

Our 5 day beginner course is made up of a 2 day foundation course and 3 more specialist modules. You will learn everything needed to become a locksmith from how to cut keys by hand to opening, picking and fitting locks

You can choose to take the full 5 days or you can take the modules individually.

What You Will Learn

2 Day Foundation Course – teaches you how to cut keys, basics of safes, how locks work- a perfect introduction to locksmithing
1 Day Fitting Course – learn to fit and upgrade mortice locks & night latches
1 Day UPVC Course – learn the important aspects of UPVC doors & Multipoint Locks, from identify multipoint locks to opening jammed mechanisms
1 Day Basic Opening Course – learn the basics of opening different types of locks

Experience Required

Perfect for total beginners this course is ideal for anyone wishing to begin a career in locksmithing or for those who require a basic knowledge of locksmithing for their job.

Career Progression

After our beginners course, our 5 day advanced locksmith course will help improve your skills and expand the services you offer.

Further career development can be achieved by working towards and taking the MLA Qualification.

Passing the MLA Qualification gives you an ABBE Level 4 Certificate in General Locksmithing Skills Qualification and the recognition of being able to become a Qualified Master Locksmith member of the association.

OFQUAL Regulated Locksmith Qualification

Pass the MLA Qualification for a Level 4 Certificate Qualification in Locksmithing – ABBE Accredited

Requirements

Security Clearance Required Basic Disclosure
Apply via Gov.uk

Price & Location

Member Rate £1653.15 inc VAT
Non Member Rate £1812.80 inc VAT
Payment Plans Available
Reduced Price Become an MLA Member
Location Unit 1, Prospect Park, Valley Dr, Rugby, CV21 1TF
Date latest course dates

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Foundation Course (2 days) – Beginners Course

The foundation course gives you the perfect introduction to mechanical locksmithing – ideal or those with no experience and entirely new for locksmithing. You’ll learn the types of locks currently in use and terminology.

What You Will Learn

Types of locks currently in use & terminology
Cylinder Key Identification
Pin Tumbler Mechanisms
Cylinder Key Machine Set-up. Maintenance & Safety
Cylinder Key cutting by machine
Stripping rim cylinder
Mortice key blank identification
Lever mechanisms
Mortice Key cutting by machine
Mortice locks
Lever lock key cutting by hand
Safes (brief overview)
Lock Opening Basics (intro to picking, wafer lock and picking open disc tumbler lock)
Code Key cutting

Experience Required

For those with no experience and entirely new for locksmithing the 2-day foundation course is a perfect taster.

Requirements

Security Clearance Basic Disclosure
Apply via Gov.uk

Price & Location

Member Rate £638.60 inc VAT
Non Member Rate £705.55 inc VAT
Payment Plans Available
Reduced Price Become an MLA Member
Location Unit 1, Prospect Park, Valley Dr, Rugby, CV21 1TF
Date latest course dates

Course Brochure

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Undertaking this course has given me the confidence I need to trade as a locksmith & start my own business. Now aim is to return to the MLA and complete further training, in addition to sitting my MLA master locksmiths qualification in the near future
– Jordan Morrison

Fitting Course (1 day) – Beginners Course

Get hands on experience installing a selection of the most common locks and security devices. Perfect for total beginners.

What You Will Learn

Tools for fitting
Fitting rim night latch
Fitting lever mortice lock
Upgrading lever mortice to euro cylinder operated mortice
Fitting secondary security devices

Experience Required

Perfect for total beginners.

Requirements

Security Clearance Basic Disclosure
Apply via Gov.uk

Price & Location

Member Rate £319.30 inc VAT
Non Member Rate £350.20 inc VAT
Payment Plans Available
Reduced Price Become an MLA Member
Location Unit 1, Prospect Park, Valley Dr, Rugby, CV21 1TF
Date latest course dates

Course Brochure

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UPVC Course (1 day) – Beginners Course

Thinking about fitting/repairing UPVC door locks? This course is perfect for total beginners and will help broaden your skills and give you experience of working with UPVC door locks.

What You Will Learn

Multi-Point Lock ID (various locking types/mechanisms, backsets, strike plates, profiles and packing etc.)
Toe & Heeling
Opening Jammed Mechanisms
Gearbox Replacement
Hinges & Handles
Security upgrades
Additional security

Experience Required

Perfect for total beginners, this module will help broaden your skills and give you experience of working with UPVC door locks.

Requirements

Security Clearance Required Basic Disclosure
Apply via Gov.uk
Non Members – must have taken foundation module first or be sponsored by 2 QML members or directors of MLA Approved Companies

Membership Options

Price & Location

Member Rate £375.95 inc VAT
Non Member Rate £406.85 inc VAT
Payment Plans Available
Reduced Price Become an MLA Member
Location Unit 1, Prospect Park, Valley Dr, Rugby, CV21 1TF
Date latest course dates

Course Brochure

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Level 1 Basic Opening Course (1 day) – Beginners Course

Get hands on experience practicing the basic non-destructive entry techniques on a selection of the most common locks

What You Will Learn

Tools for opening
Methods of entry
Opening authority procedure
Theory of mortice lock picking
Picking 2 & 3 lever mortice locks
Other opening methods for 2/3 lever locks (jigglers, overlift)
Lock Identification (how to)
Theory of Mortice Lock Drilling
ERA 5 lever padlock opening
Theory and then practical of picking pin tumbler locks
Theory and then practical of drilling cylinder locks
Pick Guns
Other opening Techniques (bumping, snapping, slipping, letterbox tool)

Experience Required

Perfect for total beginners, must have taken our 2-day foundation beforehand to attend

Requirements

Security Clearance Required Basic Disclosure
Apply via Gov.uk
MLA Members must be a member for 6+ months or taken 2-day foundation course
Non-MLA members must first take 2-day foundation course prior or be sponsored by 2 QML members or directors of MLA Approved Companies

Membership Options

Price & Location

Course Brochure

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All Beginners Course Requirements

You must have a Basic Disclosure Security (DBS) no older than 3 months or;
A standard disclosure no older than 3 years
Apply here or various private providers online
MLA Members can attend with no other stipulations
Non-members have to have taken the 2-day foundation module first or be sponsored by 2 QML members or directors of MLA Approved Companies

Location

Our training courses take place at our dedicated purpose built training centre in Rugby, Warwickshire.

2 minutes from the M6
Sat Nav Postcode: CV21 1TF

By Train

Rugby has direct train services from major routes including London & Birmingham.
8 minutes in a Taxi from Rugby Train Station

Visit Western Railway to book Cheaper Train Tickets in Advance.

London to Rugby on train from Euston Station in under 1 hour
Advanced fairs from as little as £25 return

>> Click here for London Train Timetables

By Air

The nearest Airport to Rugby is Birmingham (BHX) which is 20 miles away.

Accommodation

We are happy to provide a list of hotels nearby contact us for this list.

Discounted Pricing

We currently have training discounts available or you can become an MLA member for discounted members rates:

Members reduced price – Become an MLA Member

Those new to the industry should look to join as a Personal Member under the ‘student’ category.

Training FAQ’s – Questions answered

Questions About Beginners Locksmith Courses

1. Who Should Attend This Course?

An absolute beginner or someone with relatively limited experience within the industry

2. Can I Trade as a Locksmith after the Beginners Course?

This course will equip you to either seek employment as a trainee locksmith or even set up your own business.

3. Do I become qualified after attending your Beginners Course?

All attendees of each beginner’s course receive a certificate of attendance from the UK’s largest locksmith association, the Master Locksmiths Association.

Become a Qualified Master Locksmith with ABBE Level 4 Certificate in General Locksmithing Skills Qualification

If you are looking for a nationally recognised qualification, the MLA Qualification allows locksmiths to become a fully Qualified Master Locksmith with a recognised ABBE Level 4 certificate in general locksmithing skills qualification that is OFQUAL regulated.

The MLA Qualification is the highest locksmith qualification in the UK, recognised by OFQUAL and certified by ABBE (Awarding Body of the Built Environment).

4. Do you offer any kind of payment plan?

Yes! There are payment plan options for those attending any of our courses.

Course attendees can set up a payment plan, where all we require is your course to be paid in full one month before the start date.

Payment MethodsWe offer the following payment methods:

Bank transfer (BACS)
Debit/Credit Cards
Direct Debits

Training fees are non-refundable & non-transferable (except in extenuating circumstances), see our terms & conditions here

5. Do you accept any type of Funding?

Yes, we accept ELCAS funding if you are ex armed forces/ex military.

We run a custom ECLAS locksmith training course aimed at beginners, with an official qualification at the end of the course.

View ELCAS Funded Locksmith Course

Locksmith training workshop with benches and key cutting machines

Learn how to cut keys in our training workshop

Further Training After Beginners Course

Once you have practiced the skills learnt on our beginners course, you may wish to explore our advanced and specialist courses.

Advanced Courses

Our advanced courses are designed for individuals, or members of staff, who’ve completed our beginner’s locksmith courses, or have some locksmith experience; and are looking to increase their skill set to expand their service offering.

Specialist Courses

Our specialist courses are designed for either experienced locksmiths looking to expand their services and gain new skills or for those who wish to specialise in a particular area of the trade such as auto locksmithing, security safes & vans.

Start your career as an auto/car locksmith service and open locked cars, we run a 1-day auto locksmith course, and van lock fitting course

Those looking to get into safes & vaults, our safes & safe servicing course is the perfect starting point.

Request Course Pack

Find out more about our courses, either request a course pack or contact us.

Request Course Pack

01327 262 255

Click to view our Course Costs and Dates for the next available dates when courses start.

Locksmith Training Courses

Courses we currently offer include:

Locksmith Training Courses – UK’s Largest Locksmith Association

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Locksmith Qualification Programme – From Beginners to Qualified Master Locksmith

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Advanced Locksmith Courses

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Auto Locksmith Training Course – Auto Lock Picking (1 Day Entry Level)

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Safes & Safe Servicing Course

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Women in Locksmithing Foundation Course

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FREE Locksmith Courses Available (2025 List)

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Van Lock Fitting Course – 1 Day Training

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MLA Qualification – Become a Master Locksmith (Level 4)

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Training Course Dates

12-16 May 2025