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Why become a Master Locksmiths Association approved company?
by Craig Andres
In essence being an MLA approved company sets your locksmith business apart from the other locksmith companies in your area. An MLA status highlights you have dedicated your time and skills to hone your locksmith craft and progress through their rigorous vetting, training and certification process, eventually proudly achieving MLA approved company status.
Who are the Master Locksmiths Association and what is their aim?
The Master Locksmiths Association is the biggest locksmith non-profit trade association in the UK, it’s aim is to establish and set standards of conduct, practice, and materials within locksmithing. The MLA set extremely high standards of entry into its association and the same high standards are kept throughout with progression in written and practical exams and certification.
The MLA were founded in 1958 by a small friendly meeting of like-minded locksmiths in London. The MLA has evolved into the professional organisation it is today.
What does being an MLA approved company mean for Locksmiths?
Being a Master Locksmiths Association approved company or MLA approved company for short means that you are an elite locksmith in the sector. Owning and operating an MLA approved company is special and carries a very prestigious accolade, a high point in any locksmiths career who achieves this accreditation. Locksmiths and their associated company must meet the MLA’s highest standards and adhere to strict rules and bylaws to obtain and uphold MLA approved company status.
What is the benefit of customers using an MLA approved locksmith company?
When calling an MLA approved company, you can be assured you are in safe hands. Your local professional MLA approved locksmith company, are fully qualified to assist with your emergency work, replacing or fixing faulty locks, or carry out site security surveys.
The MLA approved locksmith company attending will have industry experience, passed prestigious written and practical exams gaining the title of Master Locksmith status and the locksmith company has also been inspected, vetted, and qualified ensuring the locksmith business has all locksmith stock required and well-equipped vans ensuring the locksmith you have called is ready to handle the work and services advertised.
Who is the MLA recognised by?
The MLA champion skill and ethics throughout the locksmith and security industry, being the authoritative body and trusted resource for the Police, Home Office, RISC authority, Building research establishment, British Standards Institute, national and regional Neighbourhood Watch, Yale home security.
The MLA encourages its members to further their knowledge through ongoing yearly continual progress and development, locksmith training at the MLA head office and training facility, regional meetings, locksmith expos, and through its membership magazine Keyways.
The MLA have also been featured by the BBC and various social media channels to talk about the importance of using vetted, inspected, and qualified locksmiths in your local area. If in doubt look for the distinctive MLA yellow cross key logo which will be likely advertised on work wear, locksmith shops and vans in your local area.
How do you become an MLA approved locksmith company?
If you wish to become an MLA approved company and you have your own locksmith business, please find some useful information below. You cannot just decide to be a locksmith and get approved company status as you will need to pass locksmith exams practical and written, you will need extensive industry experience to pass these.
- Join the MLA – You will be listed as a student locksmith.
- Pass the student MLA exam – You will gain the title of Advanced Student.
- Pass the MLA in depth full exam practical and written – You will gain the title of “Master Locksmith”.
- The MLA will send an inspector in your region out to inspect your locksmith business – Once passed your application is signed off by the MD.
- Your locksmith business gets mentioned in Keyways as becoming an MLA approved company – Keyways is a bi-monthly locksmith magazine owned by the MLA full of industry news, points of view, latest products, and reviews, keeping locksmiths up to date.
What are the benefits of being an MLA Approved company for your locksmith business?
- Your locksmith business gets listed on the MLA website, so your business can be found on searches using their platform.
- MLA approved company certificate is sent to you.
- MLA approved company logo is sent to you for marketing purposes for your shop / van and you are now permitted to use the approved company logo on your website.
- Your business qualifies for any discounts associated with the MLA at the given time.
My thoughts on being an MLA approved locksmith company for the last 15 years.
For the last 15 years I have had the pleasure of owning and operating an MLA approved company in my area of the UK. Completing thousands of jobs ranging from emergency lock out work, lock replacement service, fitting locks to an array of different types of doors, upgrading locks to high security, fitting master key systems for huge national chains and well-known brands.
I believe that being an MLA approved company has given my locksmith business an edge over competitors within the last 15 years. Businesses small and large have been interested in seeing what we have to offer with locksmith services and once we have had a discovery meeting it has allowed me to show case products and services and enable us to complete work for some brands small, large, and national. Some of these brands include Costa Coffee, Primark, Tesla, Vue Cinema’s, Andrews Estate Agents, Schools and much more.
Businesses local and national, universities, schools, estate agents, public, feel more comfortable knowing they are engaging the services of a genuinely local locksmith company that is vetted, inspected, and qualified by a non-profit dedicated locksmith association. All MLA approved locksmith companies have a unique registration number that also gives all businesses and residential customers more peace of mind, as the locksmith company can be reported using this number directly to the MLA.
I would highly recommend the MLA to all locksmiths looking to improve their locksmith skills and business. The MLA have their own state of the art training facility and run lots of courses throughout the year from general locksmithing for beginners, safety, specialised locks, beginner, and advanced lock opening, locksmithing, access control and more.
If you are thinking about becoming a locksmith, please visit the MLA website to join. The MLA offer courses tailored for absolute beginners including the popular general locksmithing course. This is an intensive week-long course which is a great start into the world of locksmithing, lock identification, lock operation, hardware, anti-ligature products and practical hands-on experience. All MLA courses and training are taught in a purpose-built training facility by industry experts. Gaining certificated qualification on course completion to the high standards expected.
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