Training is a buzz word in the locksmith industry and one of the biggest demands currently is for training in the UPVC Double glazing repair sector – not surprisingly, considering the domination of UPVC windows and doors across the UK’s residential and commercial buildings sector since the mid 1960s.
Eclectic Security Ltd has recognised this in its new training schedule, which will start in March and i already booking up quickly for the first available dates with UPVC at the company’s new, dedicated training centre in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire.
Eclectic Director and experienced locksmith, Brian McAleer explained why he and fellow director Quin Lenagan, both with military and security backgrounds, chose to start their new training courses with that particular specialisation.
“There is a HUGE demand for UPVC repair work and in our experience it goes hand in hand with locksmith work sharing a lot of the same terminology and with much of the door repair work directly crossing over from locksmithing to UPVC specialist repair so it is important that locksmiths have the right training to fill that need in a professional manner. All kinds of people may claim expertise in the field but many of them have little or no training or are simply not up to the job.
“Before launching our own training facility, we did a lot of research – both into what existing training offered and what we believed locksmiths actually required. We found that, while there are some good training available out there, inevitably, there is some that offers little of real value, overcharges and skirts around important issues such as CRB/DBS checks, and very few companies if any can offer the same sort of in-depth training and 24 hour back up that is now provided by Eclectic,” Brian said.
‘THERE CAN BE A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE IN OFFERING A SPECIALISED UPVC LOCKSMITH SERVICE FROM THE WORD GO’
“We set out with the aim of attracting genuine people who either want to start a career in locksmithing/home maintenance company or to progress their business by acquiring the right knowledge and guidance. When it comes to someone launching into the business for the first time, there can be a distinct advantage in offering a specialist UPVC repair service running alongside their locksmithing service and rather than trying to cover every single aspect of the trade, which can be expensive, time-consuming and demanding – and often takes the hard-sell route. They can then move onto other aspects and gradually build up their business offering a service that a lot of the more established (old-fashioned) locksmiths do not offer making your business more attractive to your customers giving them the service they want all under one roof.
“We have also found that many would-be locksmiths sadly fail to recognise the reality of set-up costs and as a result, can fail in the first few months of trading.
“Our UPVC repair course is aimed at giving people the knowledge they need to handle this work specifically, and in order to achieve that, they don’t need to spend a fortune (unlike the start up costs that can be incurred when starting up a locksmith business for the first time). Their training with us will be carried out by a renowned expert, Dennis Manning, owner of Key Master Locksmiths in Baston. A qualified course tutor with more than 25 years’ experience in the manufacture, fitting and repair of UPVC window and door systems, who has trained well in excess of 200 UPVC repair specialists in the past. Whether it is UPVC or any other aspect, training is carried out not just by a tutor exclusively confined to a classroom, but by one who is also successfully trading themselves, and so understands fully all the current issues as well as coming across new innovations such as top floating bifold doors and 3D hinge systems- and adding them to the course to share this knowledge with ex-trainees via the 24 hour helpline, as and when it is required .”
Brian is a fully qualified NCFE level 3 locksmith and qualified both in Mul-T-Lock smartair/Genesis and Paxton electronic and manual access control systems, and can bring his own experience to bear on training, as he also owns and runs Mansfield-based Piknfix Lockmiths which undertakes all kinds of UPVC repair and replacement, in addition to all other aspects of the business such as access control, non-destructive opening & masterkey suites, he is also an approved MUL-T-LOCK supplier and provides security surveys, ironmongery and more.
Brian and Quinton – who also currently undertakes global marine security – feel it is important that locksmith training should be regulated properly in the future so any cowboys can be weeded out.
“It is surprising that there is still no national regulatory standard in this industry in the UK,” he said.
“That does need to happen and when it does, regulating training institutions should be part of it, which is why Eclectic has set its standards high from the offset and will be in the forefront of safeguarding the locksmith and UPVC repair business from the more unscrupulous, untrained traders who can leave a trail of devastation in their wake .
“The UPVC window and door specialist repair package Eclectic Security offers is in our opinion second to none, providing extras such as marketing and accounts advice, as well as an introduction to the industry companies concerned, setting up trade accounts, getting trade discounts from trade suppliers, being able to supply specialist tools (some of which are closely guarded trade secrets and can be obtained nowhere else), and based on our extensive knowledge of the industry our experience and careful research helping both the new starter or established businesses achieve their potential.
Contact details:
Eclectic Security Ltd
Unit 3 Eco Court, Latimer Way
NG22 9QW Ollerton
Nottinghamshire, England
Tel. 0333 344 2065.