This is a tough one, because there are no clear cut answers. Across the country, the most common way one becomes an Institutional Locksmith is to be called into the HR or Facilities or Public Safety office and be informed that a previous locksmith has either died or retired, and that, as low man in your trade, you are now appointed to fill his position.

If you are lucky, you work under or with someone with some skills, or the company or Union will provide at least minimal training for you. (The carpenter Union in Chicago is known worldwide for its professionalism in Locksmith preparation for carpenters being assigned work as Institutional Locksmiths, and was instrumental in the formation of the ILA regional chapter in the Chicago area.)

If you are unlucky, you find yourself in the position of one such person who was told he could no longer take carpentry courses, because he was billeted as the Locksmith, but did not qualify to take Locksmith courses, because his title was still listed as "carpenter".

Some take correspondence courses or the ALOA one week hands-on course, only to find it provides little that is useful for an Institutional Locksmith. Some even take the two or four year residence courses, only to find the same results.

In the Northeast corridor, it is most common for an Institutional Locksmith to be hired from a commercial Locksmith background. As amazing as it may seem, most experts agree it takes about three years for such an individual to achieve a reasonable proficiency as an Institutional Locksmith, even with good training and support.

The ILA national Board is currently examining this situation to see what it can do to help Institutions better protect themselves and Institutional Locksmiths who do not reside near one of the larger chapters to achieve better training.

The above is, of course, only my personal opinion, and as Dennis Miller states in each section of his RANT comedy routine, "Of course, that is only MY opinion, and I could be wrong."

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