13-Jul-2020:
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of skilled tradespersons during these challenging times. Locksmiths have continued to provide essential services throughout the pandemic, including the installation of security solutions for homes and businesses that minimise the need to touch doorknobs and door handles, push/pull handles, and even keys.
Modern locksmiths are security professionals, utilising the latest technology. Certainly, they still cut keys and fix locks; however, they offer a wide range of security services for the residential, commercial, industrial, automotive, health, educational and Government sectors, including electronic access control, home automation, CCTV, alarms, safes & vaults, and automotive locksmithing services including the latest transponder keys. Apprentice locksmiths still learn about all the traditional aspects of locksmithing, but they also focus on the industry trends of the future. The 4-year Apprenticeship includes aspects of both TAFE tuition and assessment and in-house training and mentoring.
The pathway to becoming a Trade Qualified locksmith is through an Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships in Locksmithing are through TAFE (Australia) and Competenz (New Zealand).
Interested in becoming a locksmith? The first thing you need to do is find an employer willing to take you on as an Apprentice. There are a number of ways to do this, including searching online, checking local newspapers and talking to the various employment agencies. You can also write to the local locksmiths in your area; better still, call them and ask if you can come and have a chat with them.
Once you have found a Business prepared to take you on as an Apprentice, the next step is to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider (Australia) or Industry Training Organisation (New Zealand). They will help both you and your employer complete all the necessary documentation, and they will support you and your employer throughout your entire Apprenticeship.
There is financial support available for eligible Apprentices in Australia and New Zealand, including Government funding.
Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN)
https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/about-aasn
Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
https://www.tec.govt.nz/teo/working-with-teos/itos/new-zealand-apprenticeships/