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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7222

Locksmith

A locksmith is a person who installs and repairs mechanical and electronic locking systems, cuts and copies keys for customers, and opens locked doors in emergencies.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

carry out inventory planning

use locksmith equipment

repair lockable devices

read technical datasheet

cut keys

About locksmith

The locksmith cuts duplicate keys, installs lockable devices in doors, gates, cabinets and safes, and works with the manufacture of metal door fittings: handles, strikes, hinges, cylinders and the plates that hold them. The locksmith uses specialised locksmith tools, from picks and extractors to key-cutting machines. Electronic locks have become part of the trade, which means card readers, codes, fobs and the wiring and power supply behind them, alongside the mechanical cylinder still built into many of them.

The locksmith also opens doors in emergencies: someone is locked out or locked in, and the locksmith has to open the door with as little damage as possible and then restore the security of the opening.

To choose the right lock, the locksmith analyses technical specifications and determines technical requirements, working out what grade of security a door needs, what the frame can take and what the insurer or the standard requires. Advice on security measures follows from the same knowledge. Mechanics underpins all of it. Formal requirements are set by national craft and trade rules, and in some countries by licensing of emergency opening work.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

electronic lockselectronic locksLocking devices that use electric current to operate. Electronic locks use motors, solenoids, or magnets to actuate the lock. Often, electronic locks have an access control system and require authenti...locking mechanismslocking mechanismsTypes and characteristics of locking devices and key types such as tumble, rotating disc or rotating pin.manufacturing of door furniture from metalmanufacturing of door furniture from metalThe manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. The manufacture of padlocks, locks, keys, hinges and the like, and hardware for buildings...mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.carry out inventory planningcarry out inventory planningDetermine the optimal quantities and timings of inventory in order to align it with sales and production capacity.use locksmith equipmentuse locksmith equipmentUse specialised tools and equipment to operate on locking devices and keys such as lock picks, tension wrenches, key turners and lever picks, destructive opening tools and grinders and milling machine...repair lockable devicesrepair lockable devicesProvide repairing and troubleshooting services for automatic door openers, door closing devices and other access control systems, in compliance with specifications.read technical datasheetread technical datasheetRead and understand the technical specifications describing the characteristics and functionality mode of a product, component or machine, usually provided by the manufacturer.cut keyscut keysUse machines or tools to cut profiles of keys.maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requ...calculate quotations for security devices servicescalculate quotations for security devices servicesCalculate and present quotations for the installation or maintenance services to be provided to clients, according to their door devices, costs and schedules.install lockable devicesinstall lockable devicesInstall security locking devices, such as automatic doors, lockers and keying systems, in compliance with specifications and building safety codes and regulations.define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...
Optional (15) — show
metal joining technologiesmetal joining technologiesThe various technologies used for the joining and assembling of fabricated metal workpieces.building's electronic access equipmentbuilding's electronic access equipmentThe types, characteristics and methods of use of electronic equipment used to access facilities such as card access control panels, card readers or infra-red readers.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.security in commercial buildingssecurity in commercial buildingsSecurity procedures, characteristics, tasks and risks in commercial areas and institutions such as banks, malls, tourist spots, hotels and restaurants.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.metal bending techniquesmetal bending techniquesThe different techniques for the bending of metal sheets and their link with activities such as assembly, design, and maintenance.manage alarm systemmanage alarm systemSet up and maintain system for detection of intrusions and unauthorised entries into a facility.advise on strengthening securityadvise on strengthening securityProvide information and guidance to clients on how to prevent security threats and incidents.respond to emergency calls for repairsrespond to emergency calls for repairsRespond promptly to clients' emergency calls for repairs and troubleshooting of devices.maintain facility security systemsmaintain facility security systemsEnsure that proper and functional security systems are in place, including alarm systems, fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency exits.use power toolsuse power toolsOperate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.operate control systemsoperate control systemsConfigure and operate electrical, electronic and control equipment. Maintain, monitor and control operations on a control system to ensure major risks are controlled and prevented.allocate keysallocate keysAssign keys to visitors or occupants or replace lost keys for clients.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...write records for repairswrite records for repairsWrite records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a locksmith do?

Locksmiths install and repair mechanical and electronic lock systems using specialized tools. They cut and make duplicated keys for their clients and open locked doors in emergency situations. Locksmiths may also provide advice on security measures.

What skills does a locksmith need?

A locksmith needs 13 essential skills, including electronic locks, locking mechanisms, manufacturing of door furniture from metal, mechanics, carry out inventory planning.

Will AI replace locksmith jobs?

The AI disruption score for locksmith is 40/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: read technical datasheet, allocate keys, building's electronic access equipment. Most resilient: electricity, use locksmith equipment, use power tools.

AI Replacement Risk

40/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills13

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