A Conversation with Rising Stars

“Like many others, I didn’t set out to become a locksmith — I fell into the profession almost by accident,” says Wayne Winton, Tri-County Locksmith Service. “I originally operated heavy equipment, but after being laid off toward the tail end of the 2009 housing crisis, I managed to stay employed until early 2012. At that point, I wanted more control over my future. When a locksmith business came up for sale, I seized the opportunity. I moved my family more than 100 miles away, purchased the company, and hit the ground running. I haven’t looked back since.”

Jenneye Shugar, Colorado LockStar, who had a similar experience, recalls, “I always had a knack for fixing things. I became an engineer and was not satisfied with an office environment and upon seeing a posting for locksmith help (that I actually passed along to someone else who declined), I decided that I wanted to see what it was all about and loved it.”

Tommy Baze, Cothron’s Security Professionals, adds, “I just happened to see a lockpicking video on YouTube at the right time, and I found it fascinating. As I learned more about the ins and outs of pin-tumbler locks, I thought I might find the rest of the industry just as interesting. I enrolled in ALOA’s 6-Day Fundamentals course and found myself fascinated throughout. With a background in math (prior public-school teacher), I found the master keying theory sections especially engaging and was quickly churning out key bitting arrays and enjoying every minute of it. I found my way to Cothron's through contacts made during the course, and the rest is history.”

While many came to locksmithing from other careers, some always knew this was what they wanted to do.

“I started picking and tinkering with locks at 16 and was hooked,” says Tyler Thomas, Security Engineering Consultants. “I started reaching out to locksmith shops around town at 19 for an apprenticeship and landed one. Only profession I’ve had since then.”

Same for Jake Pflaumer, TFL Franchise Systems, who says, “I began my career in the industry as an apprentice with a small family-owned business in Chicago. Early on, I had a memorable experience that significantly shaped my professional aspirations — seeing the ASSA ABLOY Mobile Showroom for the first time at a local distributor. I remember thinking that it was one of the most exciting roles someone could have in this field, and I wanted something like that out of my own career.”

He continues, “That moment sparked a strong desire in me to continue learning and developing my skills, with the goal of one day becoming an instructor. I was inspired by the instructors I met, who generously shared their expertise and connected with locksmiths from all walks of life. That inspiration has stuck with me throughout my career. I've been fortunate that my dedication and hard work have brought me to a role where I now get to do exactly that — train and support technicians across the country, help them develop their skills, and contribute to their long-term growth and success in the industry.”

For this article, I asked many from this year’s locksmith class some questions about the industry, access control advancements and the best way to attract young talent.  

Q: What do you see as the most exciting advancements in door security and access control?

Jessica Anderson, Los Alamos Lock and Key: “Biometrics in access control are finally becoming a reliable feature, and I love helping customers with their access control issues.”

Tommy Baze, Cothron’s Security Professionals: “When it comes to mechanical hardware, this industry has many well-established, major players that have been innovating for the last century or more. All too frequently, I’m exposed to what I believe is a new, novel security solution, only to find that it’s actually been in production for the last several decades and simply became less popular over the years. The phrase ‘there’s nothing new under the sun’ feels particularly apt at times. That said, I have no doubt that the minds responsible for these innovations will continue to refine their designs and push the evolution of this industry along.”

Mark Heidel, FlyLock Security Solutions: “It’s probably the integration now of cameras and access on a single platform. More customers want ease of use. So, the more that you can make that one app where they can hear if an alarm goes off, they can look at the camera and can see who came in the door and make sure it matches. With one fell swoop that really adds value to them. I think that’s one of the value-adds we continue to sell at this point. And they can control their building and see everything, open everything, lock everything or see that it's locked. They sleep better at night, especially the maintenance guys, the operation guys and IT at this point.”

Jake Pflaumer, TFL Franchise Systems: “One of the most exciting advancements has been the rapid adoption of wireless technologies and system integrations. From cloud-based access control platforms to Bluetooth-enabled locks and wireless power transfer solutions for electrified hardware, the industry is experiencing significant growth and innovation. Wireless technology has greatly improved our ability to accommodate a wider range of installation scenarios without the added complexity or cost of running wire — especially in challenging environments where door loops or transfer hinges are prone to wear or damage.

Additionally, the use of battery-powered locks offers a major advantage in maintaining system uptime during power outages because they do not rely solely on centralized power backups.”

Jenneye Shugar, Colorado LockStar: “Lock advancements are ongoing and at the moment I am most impressed with all the keypad lock capabilities beyond just 4-digit pin codes!  Now there is fingerprint, key fob, face ID, and more but no matter how smart these locks are, I won’t even consider them for my customers unless there is a physical mechanical key as a backup. The coolest new advancement in keypad locks is by one outfit only and can retrofit multi-point doors; I am looking forward to installing one of these very soon.”

Tyler Thomas, Security Engineering Consultants: “I’m hopeful that electromechanical cylinders will eventually overcome the setbacks of the past 15-plus years. Reliability, price, lead times need to get better. The manufacturers are getting there but they still have a bit to go, and I hope they see it through because that is a multi-billion-dollar market that is on the cusp of being unlocked and it will help a lot of people, locksmiths included.”

Wayne Winton, Tri-County Locksmith Service: “For years I avoided biometrics because the technology just wasn’t reliable enough. But that has changed. Today, fingerprint and facial recognition systems are accurate, fast, and dependable — this is the future of security. Credentials, cards, and keys can be duplicated, but replicating a fingerprint or a face is far more difficult. Biometric solutions are transforming access control in a way that sets a new standard for convenience and security.”

Q: What are some ways you think the locksmithing industry can begin to attract younger people to the profession?

Winton: “By showcasing both the value and the financial opportunity of this trade. Locksmithing is not only rewarding but also highly profitable for those who develop strong skills. For example, I often share with younger people that I can make $650 or more an hour by installing a continuous hinge. I typically charge around $850, with material costs of only $125–$175, and the job takes just 20–45 minutes. It’s a win-win: the customer gets a permanent solution with a lifetime parts warranty, and I generate a strong profit. That kind of opportunity — earning as much as a doctor or attorney without a college degree — is incredibly appealing to the younger generation.”

Thomas: “From what I’ve read, Gen Z is pursuing trades at numbers greater than any recent generation, so I’d urge all locksmiths to grab the bull by the horns and actively promote apprenticeships and entry-level positions, even if they’re not being offered by your company. Refer them to other shops in town that are hiring, answer any questions they may, whatever it takes to be a mentor until they can get hired on. Nothing wrong with trying to leave the trade better than you found it.”

Shugar: “I think it would be great for more locksmiths to attend school career days and educate about the opportunities on not only being a locksmith but also all the other

trades that we are in need of.  Truly if I had been made aware of locksmithing as a career, I might have pursued that path altogether over getting an engineering degree BUT there is no doubt that the engineering process of thinking through problems is also perfect for locksmithing.”

Pflaumer: “To attract more young people to the locksmithing industry, I believe we need to establish a stronger presence alongside other skilled trades. Trade and technical schools are a great starting point. We should actively participate in their job fairs and build relationships with instructors in related programs — such as Electrical Technology, Automotive Mechanics, Networking, and HVAC — since these fields share many of the same foundational skills we use in access control and physical security systems.

It’s important to raise awareness about the diverse, hands-on, and increasingly technical nature of modern locksmithing. Many students still associate our profession with outdated perceptions, like a traditional key shop on Main Street. We need to change that narrative. Locksmithing today is a high-tech, solutions-oriented, and essential trade that plays a vital role in security and infrastructure.

By increasing awareness of the locksmithing profession and highlighting the wide range of technical and hands-on work it involves, we can spark interest among students who may not yet know this career path exists. Our industry is dynamic, constantly evolving, and ideal for those who enjoy solving problems and working in the field rather than behind a desk. But it’s critical that we make it clear that we're ready to invest in and train the next generation of locksmiths.”

Heidel: “Retention is key. We don't lose very many people. When we hire someone that we like, we work very hard to keep them happy here. I've got 30 years’ work in corporate America, and I saw what everyone did wrong and just did the opposite. So, we really focus on — and we even put it up on the wall here — that we're a ‘no drama’ shop. We've had an apprentice and he's got a year under his belt, and it takes time if you didn't come from the industry to do both low-voltage and locksmith work — so it's at least a year to get you fully trained.”

Baze: “Simple awareness of the industry would be number one. Very few younger people are even aware of the trade, much less what it entails. Not only is the work satisfying, but it also takes you places most people never have a chance to visit. Notably, I've found myself performing work at the governor's mansion, electrical sub-stations, EV factories and courthouses, none of which I would have ever had a chance to visit with the level of access this trade requires.

On increasing awareness and attracting younger people to the profession, I have attended high school career fairs as a representative of Cothron's and given presentations that highlight the ins and outs of the industry for work-study electives. Partnering with high schools that offer work-study programs as an approved employer is a surefire way to increase exposure of and access to this industry to trade-minded young adults.”

Anderson: “We are heavily involved in our community and helping the younger generation understand the skilled trades. Continued participation in the community and education is key.”

Q: What are your views on locksmithing and the industry for the future?

Anderson: “We have many customers tell us that locksmithing is a dying art because most people would rather replace their hardware than contact a professional for proper repairs. Continued training with mechanical and electronic hardware is key to save the art form that is professional locksmithing.”

Baze: “As the security needs of families, businesses and individuals continue to evolve, so will the solutions provided by this industry. Controlling access and maintaining the systems responsible for that control is fundamental, and this industry provides the means of doing so. I can’t say precisely what that will look like in the next 10-100 years, but I can confidently say that this industry will be indispensable in catering to the security needs of all for those 10-100 years and beyond.”

Pflaumer: “I believe the future of locksmithing is strong, particularly because there will always be a need for mechanical security hardware. However, it’s essential that we evolve alongside the broader security industry by embracing advancements in both hardware and software. We’re seeing increased integration between traditional locksmithing, CCTV, and access control systems — driven by the growing demand for comprehensive, remote-accessible security solutions.

To stay competitive and meet these demands, professionals in our field must remain proactive in their education and stay current with the latest technologies and product offerings. It's an exciting time for our industry, with more opportunities than ever to expand our skill sets and deliver smarter, more connected security solutions to our customers.”

Shugar: “Everyone needs to feel safe at work, home and school, so the more diversified locksmiths can be, the more work opportunities they will have.  Working as a locksmith has been the most satisfying work of my life because every day presents new challenges, and every day has completions with the personal satisfaction of craftsmanship and jobs well done.  Sometimes the best forms of payment have been appreciative hugs and that really makes my day!  The awareness of this as a career path can certainly be raised as well as all of the other necessary trades.”

Thomas: “I hate to sound like everyone else, but AI is going to play a massive role. From social media and customer interaction to tools that assist with everyday jobs. I hope most locksmiths can parlay this to their advantage.”

Winton: “The future is very bright. In fact, I’d say we’re in the platinum age of locksmithing — especially for those willing to embrace access control. Today, nearly every new building is wired for low-voltage systems, just like electricity or plumbing. It’s no longer an afterthought; it’s becoming standard. With electronics comes complexity, and complexity creates opportunity. Skilled technicians will be needed to install, maintain, and troubleshoot these systems, which also opens the door for recurring monthly revenue through subscription-based services. Unlike many industries, locksmithing and security are not easily replaced by AI. This profession requires hands-on skill, problem-solving, and adaptability — qualities machines can’t replicate. For those who are prepared to embrace change and take the ride, the future looks long, secure, and prosperous.”