Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
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Also known as:
Key Maker, Keysmith, Lock Expert, Lock Fitter, Lock Setter, Lock Technician, Locksmith, Safe and Vault Installer, Safe and Vault Mechanic
See all Manufacturing Careers.
As long as human nature includes criminal activity, we're going to need locks, keys and safes. That means there will be work for the tradespeople who perfect the precision skills necessary to become locksmiths and safe repairers. We depend on them to install locks and safes and repair them when they break. We also depend on locksmiths to come and help when we accidently lock ourselves out of our car or home.
As security systems become more complex, moving from mechanical to electric, it is more likely that training will be on-the-job for a company that specializes in certain systems. However, the mechanical knowledge that serves as a foundation for this trade can be learned in the military or at a vocational school.
More basic work, such as making keys and lock repairs, might be learned on the job at a hardware store or in a handyman's position. Trustworthiness, a clean record, and mechanical ability are factors that will be considered by your employer and by your customers.
| Leadership | LOW |
| Critical decision making | HIGH |
| Level of responsibilities | HIGH |
| Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines | HIGH |
| Dealing and handling conflict | LOW |
| Competition for this position | MED |
| Communication with others | HIGH |
| Work closely with team members, clients etc. | HIGH |
| Comfort of the work setting | HIGH |
| Exposure to extreme environmental conditions | LOW |
| Exposure to job hazards | LOW |
| Physical demands | LOW |
Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.
Open safe locks by drilling.
Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes according to blueprints, using equipment such as power drills, taps, dies, truck cranes, and dollies.
Keep records of company locks and keys.
Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
Set up and maintain master key systems.
Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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| Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
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| Controlling Machines and Processes | Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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| Scheduling Work and Activities | Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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| Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
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| Mechanical | Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
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| Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Public Safety and Security | Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
| English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
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| Sales and Marketing | Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. |
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| Education and Training | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
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| Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
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| Administration and Management | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
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| Repairing | Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. |
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| Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
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| Equipment Maintenance | Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
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| Operation and Control | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
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| Operation Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
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| Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
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