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.
Request Course Info & Prices
For the next course dates and prices, please see our course dates here.
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 course involves the below courses, select which course you want to take or attend every course during the week.
1. Foundation Course – 2 Days
2. Fitting Course – 1 Day
3. UPVC Course – 1 Day
4. Basic Opening Course – 1 Day
For those with no experience and entirely new for locksmithing the 2-day foundation course is a perfect taster
Foundation Course (2 days) – Beginners Course
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
| 2 DAY FOUNDATION COURSE DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Experience Required | For Total Beginners |
| Course Duration | 2 Days |
| Cost | £585 inc VAT – MLA Member £645 inc VAT – Non Member |
| Date | Next Course date here |
| Requirements | Basic Security Check Apply via GOV.UK |
Fitting Course (1 day) – Beginners Course
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
| FITTING COURSE DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Experience Required | For Total Beginners |
| Course Duration | 1 Days |
| Cost | £295 inc VAT – MLA Member £320 inc VAT – Non Member |
| Date | Next Course date here |
| Requirements | Basic Security Check Apply via GOV.UK |
UPVC Course (1 day) – Beginners Course
Thinking about fitting/repairing UPVC door locks? This course you teach you all about uPVC 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
| UPVC COURSE DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Experience Required | For Total Beginners |
| Course Duration | 1 Day |
| Cost | £350 inc VAT – MLA Member £375 inc VAT – Non Member |
| Date | Next Course date here |
| Requirements | Basic Security Check Apply via GOV.UK |
Basic Opening Course (1 day) – Beginners Course
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)
| BASIC OPENING COURSE DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Experience Required | For Total Beginners |
| Course Duration | 1 Days |
| Cost | £295 inc VAT – MLA Member £320 inc VAT – Non Member |
| Date | Next Course date here |
| Requirements | Basic DBS Check Apply via GOV.UK |
Requirement to Attend Opening Course
Non-MLA members must first take 2-day foundation course beforehand.
Course Requirements & Location
Location: Unit 1, Prospect Park, Valley Dr, Rugby, CV21 1TF
Requirements: We require a Basic Disclosure security clearance check should be provided prior to joining the course.
You can apply via government’s site or there are various private providers online.
Reduced Members Rate:
For the reduced members’ rate, please view our how to join the MLA page, those new to the industry should look to join as a Personal Member under the ‘student’ category.
Who Should Attend This Course?
An absolute beginner or someone with relatively limited experience within the industry
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.
Learn how to cut keys in our training workshop
After Attending Beginners Course
Expand your skill set & offer more services as a locksmith, e.g offer a car locksmith service and open locked cars, see our auto course here.
A popular choice is to attend courses from our intermediate and advanced programme, that help locksmiths to offer more services to their customers.
Contact us for a FREE Course Pack
View our Course Costs and Dates for the next available dates when courses start.
Further Reading
- Training FAQ’s – over 20 popular questions answered
- How to become a locksmith – our expert guide
- Locksmith Career Guide – 10 quick tips
- Locksmith Qualifications
