EDUCATION A New Normal By Jim Hancock, CML, CMST will be (and it will). Obviously, there will be no prognosticated hyperbole regarding SAFETECH or classes at the training center in Dallas, or anything else. We — as a nation, as a world — are experiencing a situation that has only happened A a handful of times in the history of the world. Every time (this virus, the two World Wars, the Spanish flu epidemic of the early 1900s, the Great Plague) is different in terms of how we as a people react and, more critically, how we adapt to whatever the new normal is for now or moving forward. While we all struggle to deal with shutdowns, sheltering in place, the greed of some people and the fear of others, life does indeed go on. And while maintaining our distance from one another to flatten that curve (as they say) has proven to be the prudent course, we must also be prepared to move forward and get back to work once this crisis is over. While some business models will certainly falter, our industry generally thrives dur- ing these times, as people who have “stuff” will spend money initially to help protect it and then spend equally aſter the initial fear to protect what they acquire. To this end, we must be prepared to provide service to the public that is not only fast and priced correctly (no gouging!) but that is also done correctly for the security of the public. This is where SAFETECH and the ALOA Convention usually come in by offering training to newbies in the industry while allowing others to enhance their knowl- edge. Sadly, that didn’t happen with SAFETECH, and it’s too early to tell about other training from any source at this point. A New Option ALOA has partnered with CMoor Group (SecurityCEU) to produce a version of the Fundamentals class online. It will come with a kit and hardware to use for various lessons, and the final exam will consist of a qualified CML administering a series of hands-on exercises and a written quiz. This training is now live. Another way we would like to help our members and the industry in general is to offer a short video series on basic knowledge and a few of the most common tasks that locksmiths perform. We would like to offer these in a live format to al- low those who need to see the task performed hands-on or ask questions to do so with a live instructor. These videos will be free of charge to members during this critical time and will be available for a nominal fee for non-members. If we can obtain funding from manufacturers and vendors, they may remain free beyond this unique time in our history. They will be scheduled on the same day of the 56 KEYNOTES MAY 2020 s I have mentioned previously, we write these articles a couple of months in advance of their publication in Keynotes or Safe & Vault Technology. So, this would normally be the issue where I would be telling you how absolutely great SAFETECH 2020 was (and it would have been) and how even more wonderful ALOA 2020 “ALOA has partnered with CMoor Group (SecurityCEU) to produce a version of the Fundamentals class online.” week at the same time of day for ease of scheduling for participants. What we need are ideas on what you would like to see. Again, at least at the outset, it would be pretty basic tasks (safe combo changing, SFIC repinning and math, removing a Kwikset cylinder with the proper tool, handing of a door). We always ask for ideas on things like this, and I have asked for this specific thing in the past with little response. Take the time to drop us a line at edu- [email protected] and tell us what you would like to see. If it is doable while we are quarantined — or easy enough when we get back in the office — we will be happy to do it. Take care of yourselves… and each other. Jim Hancock, CML, CMST, is ALOA’s educat ion manager. You can reach him at [email protected] or (214) 819-9733. WWW.ALOA.ORG
