LETTERS
SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM ALL THE LSJ TEAM
According to the supermarkets, Christmas got under way back in September! But as this issue of The Locksmith goes to press, it really will be getting close. So we would like to take this op-
portunity to wish all our advertis- ers, readers and contributors – and everyone working in the industry - a very merry Christmas and (hopefully) a more peaceful and prosperous New Year.
2011 has been seriously eventful and is a year few of us will easily forget. But it is important to try and stay positive and optimistic – so here’s to 2012, when we look for- ward to bringing you all the news and views from your industry. Please do keep in touch either here to me (pat@clearview-uk. com),via our new interactive web- site (
www.locksmithjournal.co.uk) or on Twitter (@locksmithmag).
DÉJÀ VU ON TRAINING?
Whether funny, sad, opinionated or angry about something, or you just want to get something off your chest...
We would like to hear from you.
Any technically based letters will be passed onto our panel of experts.
Thank you for your
involvement and interest in the magazine.
GET IN TOUCH...
Please address your letters to: F3 Holme Suite, Oaks Business Park, Oaks Lane, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S71 1HT
Email:
pat@clearview-uk.com Fax: 01226 730825
Dear Pat, I read with interest the article in your Jul/Aug 2011 magazine. I had a strong feeling of déjà-vu. Australia has had a Government-fund-
ed apprentice systems for more than 30 years and has introduced a range of differ- ent licences in the different States around the country. Te apprentice system has certainly
lifted the standard of locksmithing and the skill level of tradespeople is much more uniform across the country since it apprentice training commenced. Te ap- prentices are selected by employers and required to undertake off-the-job training for 960 hours over the time of the appren- ticeship at TAFE institutes - http://www.
nmit.edu.au/studyareas/locksmithing. Te length of the apprenticeship var-
ies but will generally not exceed four years. It is up to the employer to ensure that the apprentice fulfils any character requirements that may be expected of a locksmith. Te training institutes are re- quired to train whoever is sent to them from the employer. Te system seems to work well and has public and industry ac- ceptance. As I said above, licensing has existed for
some time across Australia. It is difficult to see any real benefit to the locksmith- ing industry and the general public from licensing. To gain a licence you are re- quired to pass a police check and provide
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evidence that you work as a locksmith. It is debatable whether this affects the public perception of locksmiths in any- way whatsoever. It does require the filling out of several forms and the paying of a substantial licence fee. Te responsibil- ity for this falls to the employer and cost them both time and money. Te licensing authorities have very rarely investigated complaints by the general public and in nearly all cases the investigations have led to a warning only. Te licence authority is funded by the fees. I would suggest that if the industry
wants locksmiths to be licensed, that it is industry driven and industry managed. I also suggest that revenue from the fees should be used to advertise the licence to the general public and invest in train- ing.
MAX CHERRY Locksmith and Teacher, Melbourne, Australia.
*We are grateful to Max for the interesting points he has made. It is always useful to discover how things work in a different continent and I am sure many UK locksmiths will let us have their views on Max’s comments.
Do you have something interesting to say?
LETTERS
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