Master Locksmiths Association MLA

02/06/2026

🔑 Taking the next step towards qualification.

These photos were taken during a recent MLA Mock Qualification Day, where locksmiths put their skills to the test by completing practical tasks such as fitting and opening a mortice lock under assessment conditions.

The day is designed for experienced locksmiths who are considering taking the MLA Qualification. It gives candidates the chance to see what the assessment involves and understand the standards required before sitting the real thing.

Throughout the day, candidates receive feedback on their performance, along with advice on areas they may want to practise and develop before taking the qualification.

For many locksmiths, gaining a qualification is about proving the skills and knowledge they've built up over years of hands-on experience.

When customers need a locksmith, they often have little way of judging technical ability. A recognised qualification helps provide confidence that a locksmith has demonstrated their skills against an industry standard.

Interested in taking the next step? Find out more at locksmiths.co.uk.

01/06/2026

Two days. Decades of expertise. A truly rare opportunity.

Last week, a group of advanced locksmiths and safe engineers joined world-renowned combination lock specialist Mark Bates, CML, CMST, for an exclusive masterclass in the UK.

With more than 40 years of industry experience, SAVTA Hall of Fame recognition, and a reputation for training some of the most respected names in the safe engineering profession, Mark brought an extraordinary depth of knowledge and real-world insight to every session.

Delegates explored advanced diagnostic techniques, manual combination lock mechanisms, and professional opening methods for complex 3 and 4-wheel locks - gaining practical skills and specialist knowledge drawn from Mark's international career.

Opportunities to train with someone of Mark's calibre are exceptionally rare, and we're proud to have welcomed him to share his expertise with our members and delegates.

30/05/2026

Helping local communities find locksmiths they can trust

The Master Locksmiths Association helps people across the UK find locksmith companies that have been independently vetted, inspected, and qualified through our MLA Approved Company scheme.

Many MLA Approved Companies are independent local businesses, serving their communities day in, day out. By choosing an MLA Approved Company, you're not only choosing a locksmith that has met MLA standards - you're often supporting a trusted local business too.

Find your local MLA Approved Locksmith Company at https://www.locksmiths.co.uk

Know who's at your door

Once you've booked, remember it's perfectly reasonable to check who's at your door.

All MLA members and staff of MLA Approved Companies carry an MLA ID card confirming they have been DBS checked.

✔ Ask for identification
✔ Take a moment to verify who they are
✔ Don't feel pressured to rush

A professional locksmith will never mind you taking a moment to check.

Small checks can make a big difference when it comes to your security.

29/05/2026

Don’t let an emergency ruin your weekend.

Whether you’re heading to the pub, travelling to the match, or having friends round, getting locked out or losing your keys can quickly turn a good day into a stressful one.

That’s why it’s important to know who to trust before you need help.

MLA Approved locksmith companies are vetted, inspected, and qualified — helping protect customers from rogue traders and misleading emergency locksmith adverts.

Find your local MLA Approved locksmith company and save the number before you need it: https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/

Have you ever been overcharged by a locksmith or misled by a fake local advert?

You’re not alone.

We’re gathering evidence to help expose rogue operators and push for better protection for customers and legitimate locksmith businesses.

📝 Report your experience
📢 Help raise awareness
✍️ Support the campaign

Your experience could help stop it happening to someone else.

👉 Submit your complaint: https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/public/complaints/

👉 Support the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/759825

28/05/2026

Big news (well, big for us — and hopefully useful for you too).

We’ve taken our MLA EXPO page and turned it into MLA EXPO & Events - one place for everything happening across the MLA events calendar.

That means regional meetings, weekends, MLA EXPO, MLA Unlocked, training sessions, open days and other genuinely useful things (not just filler).

The aim is simple: make it easier to find events, take part in conversations and keep up with what’s happening across the trade without needing to search around.

And importantly, most events are open to locksmiths across the trade - whether you’re already part of the MLA community or just looking to come along, learn something new and meet others in the industry.

If that sounds useful, this is the page to follow: https://www.facebook.com/mlaexpo

27/05/2026

“Being MLA Approved shows our customers they can trust us to deliver professional, fully vetted security solutions to protect their homes and businesses.”

- Graham Watts, Five Star Security Services Ltd

When customers need a locksmith, they are often inviting someone into their home or business during a stressful situation.

That’s why MLA Approved Companies are vetted, inspected, and qualified against recognised standards.

MLA Approved Companies are:
• Independently vetted (including DBS checks)
• Regularly inspected
• Required to employ a Qualified Master Locksmith (QML)

📍 Based in Tiverton, serving customers across Devon

🔗 Find them here:
https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/find-a-locksmith/five-star-security-services-sw-ltd/

📎 Looking for an MLA Approved Locksmith in South West England?
https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/south-west/

27/05/2026

🔐 BRAND NEW EVENT FOR LOCKSMITHS - Hosted by MLA London Region.

Locksmithing keeps moving.

Smart locks. Digital access. Fire door compliance. Access control.

Most locksmiths are busy enough keeping up with the day job — finding time to properly look at where the trade is heading is something else entirely.

That’s why we’re launching MLA UNLOCKED.

A brand new two-day locksmith event built around practical, hands-on learning, new products, technical sessions, and real conversations across the trade.

You’ll have the chance to speak directly with suppliers, manufacturers, trainers, and working locksmiths, explore new systems and products, watch live demonstrations, and get hands-on with the latest developments shaping the industry.

Designed to help locksmiths stay ahead and stay connected.

Free for locksmiths to attend, with optional specialist training sessions available separately.

📅 13–14 November 2026
📍 Delta Hotels, Waltham Abbey, Essex

Register your FREE place here:
https://forms.gle/nvwQEd5WaHmKyoXc7

Need a hotel room? Book here:
https://app.marriott.com/reslink?id=1773995497010&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Any questions please email: [email protected]

More information coming soon.

26/05/2026

Great to see the next generation already taking an interest in the trade.
Behind many MLA Approved companies are real family businesses built around local communities, skills and experience passed through generations.

Thanks to Terry Elliston from The Titanium Group for sharing this brilliant careers day moment

He was so excited when he got told about “careers day” at school and that he could dress up as what he wanted to be when he was older! Only right he got his own t-shirt! Can’t wait to show this boy the ropes!

26/05/2026

A huge congratulations to Carl Smith, who was absolutely delighted after successfully passing the MLA Qualification and becoming QML - another step closer to becoming an MLA Approved Company.

After two days of written exams, lock fitting, practical assessments and demonstrating real locksmithing skills, it all comes down to this moment.
All the hard work, experience, preparation and practice has paid off.

For anyone working in the trade, this is a massive achievement - recognising the professional skills built through years of locksmithing and giving customers another reason to choose you with confidence.

This is what qualified feels like.

25/05/2026

Out and about at local events this summer? ☀️

If you’re an MLA Approved Company attending community days, summer fairs, trade events, or local business events, we can help you make the most of it with:

• personalised MLA postcards
• rogue locksmith awareness leaflets
• personalised MLA Approved videos to use at the event or afterwards on social media

They’re designed to help explain what MLA Approval means locally and give customers more confidence when choosing a locksmith.

If you’ve got something coming up, just drop a message to [email protected]