At the Uni

At the end of 2022, I left the Department of Chemistry and joined Campus Infrastructure as an assistant locksmith. It's still early days but I'm really enjoying the job. It's very complicated, lots of variables and fault-finding to get my head around, but I have a great mentor who is friendly and patient.

The job itself is massively diverse. An average day can be gaining entry, making lock repairs, cutting keys and creating new locks, suites and other entry methods like the magnetic locks and swipe cards. Often it's on Claverton Campus but there are quite a few off-site buildings we also cover so there might be a bit of driving needed.

It's a profession which will never be fully learnt and with each step needing precision and experience, every day is a challenge. The university has over 23 thousand doors so I don't think I'll ever be bored - which is how I like it.

So, my aim? There are a lot of new names to learn, skills to discover and learn, and ultimately to really learn the trade and get to be 'the man who can' but for locks!

Receiving my Recognition Award from the Vice-Chancellor, June 2019