56 KEYNOTES JANUARY 2023 WWW.ALOA.ORG EDUCATION A s we look at the various aspects of the locksmith/security professional divisions and genres, the least acknowledged and possibly most neglected is the institutional side of the industry. For many years, institutional lock- smiths were looked at as less than “real locksmiths” by many in the industry. The institutional locksmith did not deal with the same third-world locks, automobiles, safes, etc., that were com- mon in the commercial world and did not need to know every lock idiosyncrasy from A to Z like the commercial locksmith. What many in the commercial/retail world seem to forget is that life safety/ADA/fire door are not options but necessities for them as well as extremely complex master key systems. Just like automotive locksmiths, investigative locksmiths, safe techs, national franchise locksmiths and hobbyists, anyone not in the mainstream of residential/commercial locksmiths tend to be looked at as “not a real locksmith.” This is not completely unfounded, as in the early days, a couple of nationally promi- nent groups did not require any real training and crossed the line between trained technician and lock popper. Today, the institutional locksmith should garner the same amount of respect and reverence as any other professional in our industry. While they may not need to know the Kwikset, Weiser, Harloc, Defiant, Defender, etc., brands specifically, they must have an understanding as well as a deeper knowledge of Von Duprin, Monarch, Corbin-Russwin, LCN, Yale and others than the everyday locksmith has. Show of hands: How many of you residential/commercial locksmiths know how to disassemble an SGT or CRH Unit lock, adjust or replace a “pot type” Yale closer or deal with an A3 or A4 Best SFIC format core system? Institutional Education The bottom line is that — like automotive, safe and investigative locksmiths — institutional members require tailored training and specific testing. ALOA has spent several years making sure both are available. We offer classes that are designed to teach the insti- tutional locksmith the info they need to do their job effectively. We also offer testing and credentialing that is specifically focused on the institutional locksmith. If you are a manager needing a way to justify pay increases or promotions, maybe this is it. If you are simply intent or making sure you have the best personnel on staff possible, this is for you too. If you or your supervisor have any questions regarding in- stitutional locksmithing classes or testing, please contact us at [email protected]. In the coming months, look for informa- tion on the classes that will be available at the 2023 ALOA Con- vention in Orlando in July. We always have classes pertaining to institutional locksmiths, and this is a great opportunity to take several hands-on classes at once. Jim Hancock, CML, CMST, is ALOA’s education manager. You can reach him at [email protected] or (214) 819-9733. Institutional Locksmithing Education Is Important By Jim Hancock, CML, CMST “The bottom line is that — like automotive, safe and investigative locksmiths — institutional members require tailored training and specific testing.”
