A FORMER joiner has unlocked a new career that is really opening doors for him. Matt Rodger saw so many people lock themselves out of their home while he was working as a joiner for Wansbeck District Council in Northumberland, he decided to retrain as a locksmith after being made redundant.
He said: “I was amazed at just how many people locked themselves out of their homes. I paid to go on a professional course and really enjoyed it. It spawned into me wanting to open locks more than I wanted to do joinery work.
“Locks are really complicated sometimes. I just like puzzles – taking them apart and putting them back together.”
Although the majority of his work is with people who have locked themselves out, his business Wansbeck Locks also receives the occasional call to rescue someone stuck inside.
“A lady in Ashington was actually locked into her home because the deadlock system has malfunctioned. She was really panicking but I was able to get her out within 15 seconds and she was very relieved,” he said.
Mr Rodger, who is based in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, is working as a sole trader but says he has a good back-up system in place.
“I do get a lot of help from friends and family, giving me support and helping out with the written work.”
And he was able to access professional advice and start-up funding after being pointed in the right direction while he was unemployed. He received money and advice from the Prince’s Trust, Northumbria Business Services, BizFizz and Wansbeck Works.
He said: “As long as you know where to look, there is a lot to help you out. Hats off to them, they really did help me. When I started out, I didn’t know anything.”
BizFizz provided help with networking, putting him in touch with local business that can use his service. The business coaching team also advised him to wear a uniform and to have distinctive livery put on to his car.
Graeme Trotter, a BizFizz coach, said: “Matt is a very quick learner and his confidence has grown enormously in such a short time.”
And Mr Rodger is delighted he took the plunge. “I have been wanting to do it for a while but I never thought I would end up working for myself. It’s a really big step for me. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
