Thinking of becoming a Toronto locksmith and wondering if it is the right trade for you to get into?

Here is some advice and tips for getting into the trade and the benefits for doing so.

First of all the locksmith trade is one that has been around ever since people decided that they needed to lock up their belongings. Which has been a very long time indeed.

Secondly, when you really think about it the trade is in very little danger of becoming obsolete as many other trades have over the past decade or so due to automation.

Look at the tool and die trade as an example. With the advent of newer and better technology the need for trained tool and die makers who used to perform the bulk of their work by hand has diminished greatly over the years.

C.N.C or computerized numerical control machines have largely undermined the need for trained tradesmen to do the job. For the most part the need is for computer programmers and button pushers to run the machines that are programmed to do the job people used to do.

The same can be said for many other trades.

Not so much in the lock-smithing industry. Yes, some of the machines that are now used to cut and re-key locks are automated the actual installations are still done by humans and probably will be for many years to come.

A question that comes up a lot is whether one should go to school or train under a lock smith in an apprentice role.

There are two schools of thought on this. One suggests that going to school will allow you to learn the theory of lock smithing faster and in a controlled environment and will enable you to learn the applicable laws and such but will do little in teaching you the actual craft of lock smithing as it is performed in the field.

The other school of thought thinks that it is much better to train under a good lock smith and learn from the on the job training you get as an apprentice.

Whichever route you choose the benefits and of course will be the same.

The benefits of being a Toronto lock smith are plentiful.

You get to be your own boss (if you open your shop or establish your own mobile “shop”) and you get to help people when they are in distress which can be uplifting and feel good, kid locked in car, abused wife who needs locks changed for her safety etc. etc.

While most locksmiths will tell you that you will not get rich in the trade, the money can be very good once you are established and have a good reputation, provided that your area is not inundated with competing locksmiths.

You can set your own hours, again, provided you open your own business, but this can be both a pleasure and a curse.

One of the most talked about downsides of the trade is the fact that to be successful in your own shop you will need to be “on call” and ready to answer calls at any time of the night or day and you will be surprised how much work is actually done at night!

There is much to be said about being a good Toronto locksmith and the life that that entails.

YOU have to decide if that life is for you!

Do your homework and weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision.