What are the categories of locksmiths?

It's no secret that the professionalism of a locksmith is measured in terms. The higher the rank of the locksmith, the more difficult the work he performs and the higher his requirements. However, along with the complexity of labor, wages are growing, and therefore any locksmith would like to increase his rank. Today we’ll talk about what kind of discharges there are for locksmiths, what you need to know in order to move to a new level, and how the assignment of a new category generally occurs.

To begin with, there are different locksmith specialties. Different specialists have different responsibilities and a different number of categories. In most areas, a top-level locksmith is the sixth step. But there are exceptions. For example, repairmen have seven ranks - from the second to the eighth (the first is not), the pipeline can only last up to the fifth rank, and specialists in the adjustment of fuel equipment have only four grades - from the third to the sixth. And these are just a few examples. Therefore, in order not to create unnecessary confusion, let's look at how the work of a repairman with a new position is changing.

• Repairmen 1 category officially does not exist, but sometimes those who know how to handle simple repair and measuring tools are included here.
• Repairer 2 categories must be able to manufacture simple appliances, as well as repair simple equipment without outside help. In addition, he must be able to use some electric and pneumatic locksmith tools.
• On 3 steps the complexity of manufactured instruments and repaired equipment rises to medium.You also need to be able to use lifting gear and transport.
• Repairman 4 levels must be able to work with sophisticated equipment, rigging mechanisms and know how repair lists are compiled.
• For 5 category will have to learn how to mount and dismantle any kind of equipment and components.
• On the 6 steps you will need to learn how to check the equipment, identify and fix any breakdowns and shortcomings, and also be prepared to work with experimental equipment.
• On the 7 steps repairmen work with flexible production systems and must be able to carry out a full range of work to eliminate equipment failures.
• For 8 steps the locksmith must be able to not only work with unique equipment, but also participate in the work to bring it to the specified parameters.

To get a new rank, a fitter needs to pass a test before the tariff-qualification commission. This commission should include all the masters of the workshop, several workers of the same specialty as the applicant, the shop manager and the chief engineer or chief mechanic. The test itself consists of two parts: an oral test of knowledge of the theory and the passing of a “test”. If everything is clear with the theoretical part, then questions may arise about the “test”. “Breakdown" refers to the implementation of several (at least three) practical tasks corresponding to the qualifications obtained.

During the practical exam is taken into account not only the fact of execution itself, but also the speed, accuracy and skill shown. In addition, in some cases, additional conditions may be added. For example, as a repairman, where to get the last two digits you need experience in experimental workshops.

Still need to consider that to obtain a new discharge, the specialist must work for some time at the previous stage. The time that will need to be worked out depends on the chosen profession, the level available, and also the level of education. In order to get the ranks from the fourth, a person who has graduated from vocational school will have to work two years in the previous position.

Along with the upgrade of the locksmith's category, his duties also change. The higher the rank, the more difficult the work performed and the higher the required standards. We will not go far and analyze everything with the example of the same repairman.

• On the second stage The (initial) repairman must know the basic techniques for working with the simplest equipment, how to apply various repair tools, the properties of working materials, all about qualifications, roughnesses and various substances (such as oils, detergents and lubricants), and must also fully study the tolerance system and landings.
• For the third stage you need to understand the device of the equipment being repaired and the interaction between the nodes, know the technological sequence of work, technical conditions for testing, acceptance and adjustment, and also the rules for moving goods.
• Fourth degree implies that you know the rules for adjusting equipment, methods for eliminating various defects in equipment, the design of all devices for work, the properties of alloys, the main points of scheduled preventive maintenance work and how to process and mark parts.
• For the fifth category you will have to learn the design features of various types of equipment, technical conditions for various types of work, the rules of balancing tests, constructions for complex marking, and also be able to determine and eliminate wear of parts.
• In the sixth category they are expected from you that you will understand the kinematic and hydraulic circuits of the equipment and know everything about the permissible load for parts and mechanisms.
• To obtain seventh degree, you will not need new knowledge, but you will need a diploma of secondary vocational education and experience in the experimental workshop.
• For eighth category you need to know everything about the technological process of working with experimental equipment.

It should be understood that getting a new rank does not mean that you can forget about the knowledge from the previous one. One way or another, but you will still encounter the same processes as before, just not so often and already in the role of process leader.

You can say for sure what salary awaits you at one or another level, knowing exactly everything about your place of work. The income received by a locksmith is greatly affected by his place of work. In Russia, the locksmith is most profitable to work in the Kamchatka Territory, where the salaries of locksmiths are almost one and a half times higher. Of course, the salary also depends on the country. In Russia, salaries are not very high when compared with Europe or America. The highest salaries for locksmiths are from the USA.

The chosen specialty can also have a great influence.. In Russia, electricians receive the most, their average monthly income in the country is about 52,000 rubles. The gas workers receive the least - 42,000. As for the dependence of wages on the category of employee - it is, however, small. The locksmith's salary does not change much due to an increase in its degree, with the exception of the fifth category.