Wakefield-based MPL, a provider of locksmith training, reports a surge in interest with the number of people booking on its courses up by 40 per cent on 2016. Over 1000 have taken MPL courses since 2010, typically to establish locksmith businesses.
Operations Director Nicky England said: “We are seeing a definitive upturn of interest in demand for our courses. Whether it’s someone looking for a complete career change or existing, established locksmiths wanting to ‘skill up’, it’s clear that more and more are recognizing the benefits of our training courses.
“From ex Forces personnel to London taxi drivers, those attending our courses come from a wide variety of backgrounds. We’re seeing big demand from across the Irish Sea due to recent changes to Ireland’s trade licensing laws. We are the only locksmith training provider in the UK to offer City & Guilds accreditation. That’s a seal of approval that counts for a lot and we have accredited over 200 individuals since gaining City & Guilds status in January 2016 which is made of up candidates new to the industry or existing Locksmiths upgrading the skills and certification,” added Nicky.
Bought out in 2006 by former Bradford City AFC Director Graham Jones, MPL employs around 11 staff and instructors out of two bases in Wakefield. MPL also has a trade centre at its outlet on Westgate End.
Nicky added: “We opened a new training facility at Thornes Office Park in January 2017 and this has contributed towards increased capacity and increased resources that only enhance the impact of each course. It’s clear that most people consider a career change at some point in their lives and we’re here to help them realise and unlock their potential should they decide to become a locksmith.”
Visit www.mpl-locksmith-training.co.uk.
