Master Locksmiths Association
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (June 2017) |
| File:Master Locksmiths Association logo.jpg | |
| Abbreviation | MLA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1958 |
| Type | Trade association |
| Legal status | Non-profit organisation |
| Focus | Locksmithing |
| Headquarters | Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northamptonshire |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Members | 1400 |
| Website | www |
Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is a not for profit trade association representing locksmiths in the United Kingdom. It operates a certification program and a referral program to direct consumers to its certified locksmiths. It was established in 1958[1] and has about 1,400 members.[citation needed]
Certification and referral
Locksmithing does not come under the Security Industry Authority, and there is no government licensing of locksmiths. This in effect means that anyone can trade as a locksmith irrespective of background, motive or competence. In 2009 it became possible to get a background check on a locksmith (unless employed full-time by a school/hospital etc.). This occurred when the Exceptions order for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was changed in July 2009 following debates in the House of Commons[2] and the House of Lords[3] whereby the MLA was added to the list enabling it to get standard level CRB disclosures.[4]
The MLA has its own non-governmental certification process whereby companies are vetted and regularly inspected.[1][5] It currently has about 350 Approved Companies, which can be found through its "Find a Locksmith" website referral program.[6]
Membership types
The MLA has four member sectors:[7]
- The British Locksmiths Institute – for educational programs
- The Membership sector – for personal and company memberships
- The Affiliate membership sector – for manufacturers and distributors
- The Guild of Keycutters – for the keycutting industry
The MLA offers four grades of individual membership – Personal, Student, Advanced Student and Fellow.[7] It offers two types of organisation membership – Approved Company membership for locksmithing companies and Affiliate membership for manufacturers and distributors.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Find a Locksmith". Master Locksmiths Association official website. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ Westminster, Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons,. "House of Commons General Committee on Delegated Legislation". www.publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Westminster, Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Lords,. "Lords Hansard text for 29 Jun 200929 Jun 2009 (pt 0003)". www.publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "DN 78 Sep 09". 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
- ^ "What is the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA)?". Master Locksmiths Association official website. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ "Find a Master Locksmith Association approved company member". Master Locksmiths Association official website. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
- ^ a b c "MLA Membership Sectors". Master Locksmiths Association official website. Retrieved 2017-06-17.