11 www.savta.org September/October 2023 | SAFE & VAULT TECHNOLOGY 11 SAFE & VAULT TECHNOLOGY | September/October 2023 www.savta.org PRP Testing The ALOA PRP (Proficiency Registration Program), commonly known as the PRP, was created in the early 1980s by several dedicated ALOA members and content experts as a method to show each lock- smith where their knowledge level stood in any content area. This self-assessment not only would help to foster the rec- ognition of additional training where necessary, but it also morphed into the certification program we know today. The CRL, CPL and CML designations were the first designations created. To- day, those letters after one’s name have expanded into various certification path- ways that the locksmith can choose. It also shows other colleagues and the pub- lic that one possesses a higher level of expertise than a non-certified locksmith. Are you ALOA certified? We want you to be, and we invite you to help other locksmiths to become certified, too. It all works together. Test Revamping John Hubel and I — as well as other CMLs and content experts — will soon be going over every test (mandatories and electives) to revamp questions so they are valid, up to date, accurate and fair. Most are, but that is not good enough. It will take time, but we will accomplish this giant task with everyone’s assistance. Also, we do have in place a variety of ways you can test: not only at conven- tions, but also using remote testing in your locale. We want testing for cer- tifications to be as easy, available and convenient as possible, without jeopar- dizing the integrity of the tests. If this method of testing is of interest to you, Dawne Chandler can assist you in set- ting that up. ALOA Youth Locksmith Action Committee Many of us within ALOA believe it is the youth who will carry on this profes- sion. To that end, John Hubel and I have created the ALOA Youth Locksmith Ac- tion Committee to foster the inclusion of young people into our security profes- sion. I have named Fritz Bookman the chairman of this committee. He was one of last year’s (and this year’s!) ASF (ALOA Scholarship Foundation) recipients. He has been going strong ever since, set- ting up his business and even training another young man in his business! I am helping Fritz network with other young professionals to join our ALOA family for proper training and supporting them for success in the security industry. Education Awards Each year, the ALOA Education Depart- ment recognizes those instructors who not only demonstrate exemplary teaching, but often go above and beyond for ALOA and their students. This year, we have two deserving recipients: Tom Foxwell, RL, CFDI, CAI, and Chris Chase, CRL, CAI. Congratulations to them, and we hope these awards inspires others to do the same. Lee Rognon Award The coveted Lee Rognan Award is pre- sented at various times and locations throughout the year to individuals who have fostered cooperation between as- sociations. It is presented through the Greater Philadelphia Locksmiths As- sociation (GPLA) and has international reach. This year’s recipient was none other than our very own ALOA SPAI Associate Director of Education John K. Hubel, CML, ICML, CMIL, CAI, M.Ed., and we are very proud of him. Your Part There are many ways you can be an inte- gral part of the ALOA Education Depart- ment. Yes, we hope you will take classes to reinforce your expertise through con- tinuing education. We also invite those so desiring to share with students as cer- tified instructors. But we also need CML volunteers to assist with evaluating and revamping our impressive PRP testing. Participation is key to a strong association, and we hope you can be part of that goal. One parting bit: Hey! Don’t forget to expand your horizons as a participant in ALOA's first IAAL Auto Lock Expo. Just sign up and participate. We are mak- ing it easier for everyone to excel! Make yourself great. ALOA SPAI Director of Education Wil- liam M. Lynk, CML, CPS, ICML, CMIL, CAI, M.Ed., has been a locksmith since 1975 and is the owner of www. ICLSglobal.com. Bill is an IC special- ist, an industry author, the subject matter expert on IC for ALOA, and an ALOA ACE instructor, teaching classes on interchangeable cores and master keying across the country. He has originated SFIC Technical Manuals for both national and international lock manufacturers, and maintains a working relationship with the major lock and security manufacturers throughout the world. In 2013, he was named Keynotes Author of the Year. He serves as ALOA SPAI’s director of education. “We are fortunate to have some of the finest security instructors in the world.”
