Field Engineering and Technology
Registration of skill standards and review of unit standards for Locksmithing
|
Subfield |
Domain |
ID |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
Locksmithing |
12908 - 12910, 12912 - 12917, 12920, 12921, 12924 - 12926, 22451, 22454, 22455, 30580, 30581, 30960 - 30973, 31182 |
The Manufacturing and Engineering Industry Skills Board has completed the review of the unit standards listed above and development of the skill standards listed below.
Date new versions published May 2026
Planned review date December 2031
Summary
Hanga-Aro-Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Workforce Development Council undertook a combined review of the New Zealand Certificate in Locksmithing (Trade) (Level 4) [Ref: 2718] and associated 34 unit standards in consultation with industry stakeholders. Responsibility for this was transferred to the Manufacturing and Engineering Industry Skills Board in 2026 after Workforce Developments Councils were disestablished. Regular online meetings were held to review unit standards from July 2025 – March 2026 with employers, representatives from Master Locksmiths Association Australasia, and training providers. All changes outlined below were made in close consultation with industry stakeholders.
Due to the small number of learners currently undertaking locksmithing, most unit standards were retained and reviewed to ensure continuity of provision. Skill standards were developed where significant changes were required. Six new skill standards were developed for master keying, mechanical and transponder vehicle keys.
Main changes
· Guidance information, standard setting information and document formatting were updated across the suite of unit standards.
· Outcomes, performance criteria (P.C.) and range statements were updated where relevant to reflect current industry practices and terminology.
· Seven unit standards were expired without replacement.
· Six new skill standards were developed to meet current industry training needs.
· Title of unit standards 12910, 12925, 30581, 30960, 30966, 30967, 30971 and 30972 were amended to better align with the standards’ content.
· Unit standard 12908, a new performance criterion (2.3) was added since this is a required locksmithing skill.
· Unit standard 12909, a new performance criterion (2.3) was added to reflect current industry practice.
· Unit standard 12910, new performance criterion (3.3) was added to reflect current industry practice.
· Unit standard 12912, new performance criteria (1.1 – 1.3) on security risks were added and previous P.C 1.2 was removed since content from unit standard 12924 was integrated into this unit standard. The credit value was increased from 5 to 6 credits due to additional content.
· Unit standard 12913 credit value was decreased from 15 to 10 credits to reflect the change to designing a commercial locking system using building plans.
· Unit standard 12914 assessment information was changed to 5 types of locking devices (instead of 6) to accurately reflect range of high security locking devices available.
· Unit standard 12915 credit value was increased from 8 to 10 credits to reflect increased complexity of lock types.
· Unit standard 12916 P.C 3.5 was removed since this is already covered under overarching assessment information.
· Unit standard 12917, new outcome 5 was added since this is a required locksmithing skill.
· Unit standard 12921 credit value was increased from 6 to 10 credits to reflect complexity and work required for installation of heavy safes. Outcome 2 was removed because this outcome would not be achievable for most learners.
· Unit standard 12926 P.C 1.4 was added due to importance of complying with fire door specifications. P.C 3.4 was removed since lubrication of door control devices is no longer commonly undertaken.
· Unit standard 22455, P.C 3.1 was removed as it was considered unnecessary and outcome 4 was removed due to feedback that this content is already covered in unit standard 12909.
· Unit standard 30960 P.C 1.3 was removed since this content is already covered in unit standard 30966. P.C 4.4, 4.6, 4.7 were removed as they relate to servicing of safes and are covered under outcome 3. P.C 3.4 was moved (previous P.C 4.5) as feedback identified that it relates to safe servicing and maintenance. Outcome 4 statement was amended to include opening safes.
· Unit standard 30961 P.C 1.3 was added to ensure any pre-existing damage to cars is noted before commencing work.
· Unit standard 30963 credit value was increased from 5 to 10 to reflect level of difficulty and the time required to learn this skill.
· Unit standard 30964 credit value was increased from 3 to 5 credits to reflect actual amount of time required for teaching and learning activities.
· Unit standard 30967 credit value was increased from 2 to 5 credits to reflect level of complexity in diagnosing range of faults. New range statement was added to P.C 2.3 to ensure apprentices diagnose a range of faults.
· Unit standard 30971 credit value was increased from 3 to 5 credits to accurately reflect amount of time required for teaching and learning activities. A new performance criterion (3.3) was added for emergency start procedures.
· Unit standard 30972 credit value was increased from 5 to 10 credits to reflect level of complexity in diagnosing range of faults. A new performance criterion (1.3) was added since this knowledge is required before being able to troubleshoot faults. P.C 2.3 was changed from practical fault repair to theory, since immobiliser fault repair would usually be carried out by a senior technician or sent to an automotive specialist.
Category C and D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2028
Impact on Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR)
CMR was moved from 0013 to 0014.
Detailed list of unit standards – classification, title, level, and credits
All changes are in bold.
|
Key to review category |
|
|
A |
Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
|
B |
Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
|
C |
Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID |
|
D |
Standard will expire and not be replaced |
Engineering and Technology > Mechanical Engineering > Locksmithing
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
12908 |
Cut keys to codes |
3 |
5 |
B |
|
12909 |
Produce a key without a duplicate or a code |
3 |
10 |
B |
|
12910 |
Maintain and care for a key
cutting machine |
2 |
4 |
B |
|
12912 |
Design residential and light commercial locking systems |
3 |
5 6 |
B |
|
12913 |
Design commercial locking systems |
4 |
15 10 |
B |
|
12914 |
Service institutional locking systems |
5 |
20 |
B |
|
12915 |
Install mortice and rim fitted locking devices |
3 |
8 10 |
B |
|
12916 |
Service and repair locking devices |
4 |
10 |
B |
|
12917 |
Gain entry by manipulating locks |
3 |
6 |
B |
|
12920 |
Diagnose faults, open, and service safes |
4 |
20 |
B |
|
12921 |
Install and commission safes |
4 |
6 10 |
B |
|
12924 |
Provide residential security and risk advice as a locksmith |
3 |
2 |
D |
|
12925 |
Demonstrate knowledge of
locksmithing ethics |
2 |
3 |
B |
|
12926 |
Install and service door control devices |
3 |
4 |
B |
|
22451 |
Use and maintain locksmith tools |
2 |
6 |
B |
|
22454 |
Develop, modify, and implement a commercial master key system and modify in-line pin systems |
5 |
10 |
D |
|
22455 |
Assemble and test key mechanisms |
3 |
5 |
B |
|
30580 |
Cut keys using the duplication method |
3 |
6 |
B |
|
30581 |
Demonstrate knowledge of high
security locking systems |
4 |
6 |
B |
|
30960 |
Demonstrate knowledge of safes,
and installation and maintenance practices |
3 |
5 |
B |
|
30961 |
Gain entry to cars |
3 |
5 |
B |
|
30962 |
Produce vehicle keys |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
30963 |
Produce a key using the impressioning method |
4 |
5 10 |
B |
|
30964 |
Diagnose locking device faults and determine remedial action |
3 |
3 5 |
B |
|
30965 |
Manually design a master key system |
3 |
2 |
D |
|
30966 |
Demonstrate basic knowledge of safes, safe locking mechanisms, and servicing of safes Describe safes, safe locking mechanisms, and servicing of safes |
2 |
2 |
B |
|
30967 |
Demonstrate knowledge of automotive mechanical locking systems, and troubleshooting and diagnosing faults Troubleshoot and diagnose faults in automotive mechanical locking systems |
4 |
2
5 |
B |
|
30968 |
Open automotive mechanical locking systems |
4 |
2 |
D |
|
30969 |
Design a master key system using a computer and software package |
3 |
6 |
D |
|
30970 |
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of designing a master key system |
3 |
5 |
D |
|
30971 |
Demonstrate knowledge of servicing automotive electronic locking systems Describe servicing automotive remote entry systems |
4 |
3
5 |
B |
|
30972 |
Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair faults in automotive electronic locking systems Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair faults in automotive immobiliser systems |
4 |
5
10 |
B |
|
30973 |
Demonstrate knowledge of automotive electronic security systems |
3 |
5 |
B |
|
31182 |
Install and commission lightweight safes |
4 |
7 |
B |
|
41319 |
Design a master key system manually |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41320 |
Design a master key system using digital software |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41321 |
Create two-tier master key systems using rotating constant and selective keying designs |
4 |
5 |
NEW |
|
41322 |
Design and modify a complex master key system or systems |
5 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41323 |
Produce transponder keys |
4 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41324 |
Produce mechanical vehicle keys |
4 |
8 |
NEW |