From September 24th, if you choose to take the MLA exam you will not only be recognised as a Qualified Master Locksmith, but you will also be gaining a nationally recognised (i.e. Ofqual approved) qualification, as we have teamed up with ABBE – the awarding body for building regulation.
We know it’s not the first nationally recognised qualification; the MLA developed the first 20 years or so ago, with the development of the locksmithing NVQ. The MLA built on this, with the development of the qualification linked to the apprenticeship. We’re also not inferring that all locksmiths need to take this qualification to continue trading as a locksmith.
Our qualification is a level 4 certificate: Level 4 currently being the highest level you can achieve in a locksmith qualification; due to the high level of skill and knowledge you need to demonstrate to pass.
Being a certificate we’re more interested in actual competence rather than the number of hours training you undertake, meaning you are judged entirely on your level of knowledge and skill. This means if you’re already a working locksmith with several years’ experience you can sit the exam without having to take any additional training. If you, or a staff member, are a complete beginner we’d recommend you start by taking our five-day Beginners course and then add subsequent modules along with time put in practising.
The content of the exam itself remains the same: four modules which can be split over one or two days. This consists of practical assessments covering fitting, opening and key cutting; and a written exam paper consisting of 50 questions. If you need support, you can choose our ‘with coaching’ option.
As we haven’t changed the assessment, anyone who sat and passed the exam from September 2017 to July 2022 will be able to upgrade their qualification certificate to the ABBE and Ofqual recognised version subject to certain criteria. You will be required to pay a small fee £228 (incl. VAT) to cover administration costs (which we are charged by the awarding body).
Passing the exam is a fantastic way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge as a locksmith, and now you’ll have a nationally recognised qualification as well.
You must take and pass the Exam to become a Qualified Master Locksmith (QML) and have at least one QML member per five locksmith staff to become an Approved Company.
“I’ve got to say that the weekend was run very professionally with excellent guidance throughout and nerve steadying advice too.” Roberto Giorgio (William Channon)
NEW COURSES
From September you and members of your team will be able to take two brand new courses to help grow your business and increase your confidence taking on new projects.
Project Management & Handling Contractors
The course will enable companies to professionally manage Governmental, Blue Chip Commercial & HNW companies and projects that will reward well, and improve individual portfolio of case studies were able.
You’ll be shown you how to plan, what to look out for, where to start, and where to get support.
Delivered by, MLA Member of 32 years, Thomas A Jenkins MSyl MBLI DipGAI MGAI RegAI Principal Consultant and Director of Affiliate Member ATAJ Secure.
What you will get from this course
- An introduction to the “Project life” and the following topics:
- What to look for before you commit / tender
- Asking critical questions that will determine the flow of the project.
- How the process unfolds prior to you even being appointed
- Understanding where, and what NOT to fall victim to
- Showing your knowledge (Being prepared)
- The administration, and calculating the time and value
- Valuing your knowledge and pricing strategy
- Understanding the products / specification and most of all, the standards
- Writing your proposals, and the process as well as delivering it
- Staying in control and the seven steps to completion
Tutor:
The tutor for this course, Tom A Jenkins, has 18 years’ experience in the industry.
Tom has managed projects for central government and the national infrastructure for over 20 years, in fact he started projects for Terry & Gary Watts at Market Lock and Safe some 25 years+ ago.
Focussing on all aspects of physical security products and the higher level of standards (CPNI & LPCB) Tom then became the national commercial project manager for ASSA ABLOY and spent 18 long years delivering to blue chip sites for both Assa and Abloy respectively.
In January 2021 Tom launched ATAJ Secure Limited which is solely focussed on consulting in high security standards, specification, project management, and training, sharing his knowledge.
Members Rate: £90 inc VAT
Non Members Rate: £108 inc VAT
Timber Fire Doors – Maintenance & Repair Course
In conjunction with Fire Doors Complete Ltd (FDC) this course is designed for locksmiths who have the experience and practical skills to maintain timber-based doors and now wish to improve their knowledge of maintenance requirements for fire resisting doors.
Course Content
- The role of the fire door
- What the law says about fire doors.
- Certification, regulations & standards
- Inspection and maintenance requirements
- Record Keeping
- Further reading and resources
- The examinations
- Testing your knowledge
- And finally – Here we sum up the training content and the importance of working to the required standards.
Tutor – Neil Ashdown
The tutor for this is course, Neil Ashdown (FDIS), holds forty plus years of industry experience as well holding the following qualifications:
- Certification to a UKAS accredited fire door inspection scheme
- Professional fire door inspector
- Chairman of the Affiliation of Fire Door Inspectors
- Fire door inspector certification by BRE Global and Doorcheck
- Fire door installation and maintenance certification by BRE Global
- FDIS Diploma in fire doors
- Fire stopping inspector certification by Independent Fire Inspections
- Membership of the Institute of Fire Engineers
After The Course
Delegates that successfully complete the course and pass the final examination will receive a certificate of achievement valid for five years.
Members Rate: £295 inc. VAT