Notice Board
AWARD NOMINATIONS & TRIAL BY FIRE:
AL Security & Locksmith Training Scotland
» WE CAUGHT UP WITH JAMIE Kettyles since featuring last year on AL Security and Locksmith Training Scotland in Stirling. The business has gained further national recognition with multiple nominations at this year’ s Locksmith Awards in Doncaster, while also launching new initiatives in auto locksmith training, council partnerships and new starters.
Jamies told us:“ We’ ve been nominated both on the security business and the training side, including:
• Locksmith of the Year – Jamie Kettyles
• Engraving Company of the Year – AL Security
• Office Manager of the Year – Tanja Kettyles
• Customer Service Person of the Year – Paul Williamson
• Training Initiative of the Year – Locksmith Training Scotland
“ I’ m not sure we will make it to the ceremony, it is quite far for us; however, the recognition is valued. It’ s nice to be nominated. It might not make me famous, but at the end of the day it’ s good to know the work is appreciated.
Voting will close on Friday 26th September at 5pm, with the winners announced on Saturday 8th November at Doncaster Racecourse.”
A Team Effort
“ The nominations reflect different aspects of our business. From engraving services led by Paul to the office management handled by Tanja, and customer service on the frontline, it shows the variety of skills required in a modern locksmith business.”
Last year Jamie received Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year, but he is quick to point out that the progress of AL Security is very much a collective effort.
Developing Auto Locksmith Training One area currently being developed further is auto locksmith training. Jamie explains:“ We’ ve been doing auto for a couple of years now, and there’ s definitely a need for training in Scotland. The main challenge is the cost of equipment, which can be a barrier for people starting out. We’ re teaming up with Andy Knox from Newcastle to run a basic auto course twice a year.”
Jamie adds that interest is coming not just from locksmiths but also from people in related trades such as mechanics, who see auto locksmithing as an additional opportunity.
Training for Councils & Colleges
Locksmith Training Scotland has also been working with local authorities and education providers. A partnership with Borders College has proven successful in training staff from various councils, and housing associations and facilities management companies are also keen to upskill their staff.
“ We’ ve recently trained Glasgow City Council’ s out-of-hours joiners, as well as teams from West Lothian and South Lanarkshire,” Jamie says.“ They were coming across modern multi-point systems and high security cylinders they weren’ t trained on, and in some cases cutting doors in half to get access. We’ ve been showing them better methods.”
More councils are now looking to put staff through the training, which helps reduce damage and improve efficiency on callouts.
Keeping Pace with Tools & Techniques
The locksmithing industry continues to move quickly, particularly with the release of new tools. Jamie told us that keeping up is important:
“ That is why we stay in touch with Paul Souber of Souber Tools, an industry expert. We will be visiting him soon for an update on the dozen new tools he has released over the past year, along with refinements to existing ones. For tradespeople without locksmith training, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up using traditional methods. This is where locksmithspecific knowledge becomes essential,
knowing how to work with modern systems without causing unnecessary damage.”
Looking Ahead
AL Security now has three locksmiths on the road alongside the bench locksmith team, with plans to strengthen the auto locksmithing side, supported by the training centre and the company’ s established base in Stirling.
“ We’ ve got the shop, the garage, and the training centre all in one place, so people know where to find us,” Jamie says.“ The focus now is on continuing to develop training and supporting locksmiths and related trades as the industry changes.”
With five national award nominations and a busy training calendar, AL Security and Locksmith Training Scotland remain a key part of Scotland’ s locksmithing landscape.
A New Starter’ s Trial by Fire The road team includes Lu Wylie and Gavin McCrae, both now fully up to scratch, while Paul Williamson, the bench locksmith, still goes out on calls too. Gavin recently spent a week on the Shetland Island for warrant work( trial by fire) but somehow also managed a Viking adventure!
After staying an extra night to catch the ferry the next day, he ended up sharing beers with some promoters and met a group of random Vikings. Jamie laughs:“ We keep telling new starters that locksmith work isn’ t all Vikings and warrant work … but sometimes it is! Gavin had a great time and, yes, sometimes warrant work is fun!”
Training Enquiries & Contact Locksmiths and related trades interested in auto locksmith training or council / college training partnerships can get in touch directly: AL Security & Locksmith Training Scotland www. al-security. co. uk 01786 470740 or 07516 807585 locksmithtrainingscotland. co. uk
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SEPTEMBER 2025
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