Locksmith

[Snow_white]

I am currently looking for a change in career.

 

At the moment I work as an Applications Development Engineer (I don't know what that means either),

however it is going nowhere fast.

 

So I've been thinking about re-training as a locksmith and becoming self-employed.

I've always worked for someone else, so losing the security of a regular monthly wage does at first seem a little daunting.

 

Does anyone out there have a similar experience or know someone who has also taken the plunge?

 

Any advice, suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[MickyD]

[Gonk]

http://www.locksmiths.co.uk/about/trade/mla-locksmith-training-courses/locksmith-training-course-details/

[Danny G]

I wouldnt have the patience for that, I would sack it off after Five minutes and lob a paving slab through the window.

[gonzo]

I bought a dog from a blacksmith the other day.

 

Soon as I got it home it made a bolt for the door.

[tomski]

I am currently looking for a change in career.

 

At the moment I work as an Applications Development Engineer (I don't know what that means either),

however it is going nowhere fast.

 

So I've been thinking about re-training as a locksmith and becoming self-employed.

I've always worked for someone else, so losing the security of a regular monthly wage does at first seem a little daunting.

 

Does anyone out there have a similar experience or know someone who has also taken the plunge?

 

Any advice, suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Just make sure you think it through properly and not off a whim. If you decide to do it the best of luck.

[Happy Wanderer]

Have a look at the market place first to see what the competition is, if you see a gap in the market then go for it. If on the other hand the place is flooded with self employed locksmiths that will undercut you at every opportunity, stay away and look for something else.

[The Wanderer]

I bought a dog from a blacksmith the other day.

 

Soon as I got it home it made a bolt for the door.

 

thats fucking brilliant.

[Big City Girl]

I am currently looking for a change in career.

 

At the moment I work as an Applications Development Engineer (I don't know what that means either),

however it is going nowhere fast.

 

So I've been thinking about re-training as a locksmith and becoming self-employed.

I've always worked for someone else, so losing the security of a regular monthly wage does at first seem a little daunting.

 

Does anyone out there have a similar experience or know someone who has also taken the plunge?

 

Any advice, suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

My friend gave up his job to become a locksmith about two years ago. Best thing he's ever done. The jobs a piece of piss, most of the money you make is in call out fees. He's had some interesting jobs doing safes and the like. I would check how many are in the area and look at their prices.

[Youri McAnespie]

Isn't that down in that London though, a place heavily populated by low-on-commonsense, scatterbrained, "I've lost my keys again" (actually read: "Not took them back again, after passing around designer gay drugs piled onto them") arty farty 'media' types for whom changing a lock is akin to complex surgery?

 

Before giving up a salary, one common sense thing is to reduce as many outstanding debts/outgoings and 'deflate' your lifestyle before going it alone...Always work to a 'worst case scenario' with regard to finances. Too many people overestimate what they'll do a week/month/year and work to that, really bad way of setting out - it's not pessimistic to think of what's the least I might be doing...

Edited June 11, 2013 by Youri McAnespie

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Happy and Youri make valid points.

But, if you fancy it, don't die wondering.... give it a go.

As is said above reduce debts etc. and consider what the implications may be with regard to getting mortgages/remortgages- being self employed makes it more difficult if you need one.

 

When I worked at a UMIST, I was a good friends with the resident locksmith. He'd served his time with a company before moving on- he always told how his gaffer insisted he must keep himself busy during quiet periods so he used to dismantle old locks and put them back together- anything to learn quicker- said it was the best thing he'd recommend to any budding locksmiths!

 

If you do go for it, propery management companies/estate agents always need tradesmen to look after their rental portfolio.

Good luck!

[Casino]

if you can afford to take the risk, do it

[Traf]

Having a good combination of skills is the key when looking to pick a safe, new career.

You wouldn't want things to tumble around you.

[superbobby]

I believe Yale have courses

[stevieb]

I believe Yale have courses

 

You have to 'pick' your course carefully though.

[miamiwhite]

unlock your potential pal and go for it

[gonzo]

I've heard the job sometimes attracts knobs.

[stevieb]

I've heard the job sometimes attracts knobs.

 

Often the first to offer you a key on a works night out though!

[miamiwhite]

nothing much hinges on a job like this and you'll certainly have a barrel of laughs

[MickyD]

I bought a dog from a blacksmith the other day.

 

Soon as I got it home it made a bolt for the door.

thats fucking brilliant.

 

You're easily pleased.

[Zulu]

You're easily pleased.

 

Well I think it's brilliant too. Imagine, a dog being clever enough to produce ironmongery.

 

What?

[The Wanderer]

 

 

 

You're easily pleased.

 

I forwarded that joke to four people and got three replies.

 

thats fucking awful

you're a nob

I dont get it

[Nobster]

I know a lad in Liverpool, he re-trained as a locksmith 4 years ago and he now makes a decent living out of it. Most of the letting agents already have tie-ups with companies, so you would need to make sure you could get enough work. Speak to somebody in the trade see if they can open a few doors for you.

[Big City Girl]

Speak to somebody in the trade see if they can open a few doors for you.

 

Well if they can't, they're not very good

[Youri McAnespie]

After a few more year's 'austerity', courtesy of the Conservatives, and the bedroom tax, nobody will bother with locks anymore because everyone will have flogged everything they own to pay off their Payday loans.