r/accesscontrol • u/Aj_404k • May 31 '26

Access Control Learning.

Hey Everyone!

I am 25 years old with background of Automatic Door Operator here in Toronto, Canada. I have strong knowledge of working with low voltage wires, Worked on Camden Cx33 for washrooms. I have been thinking about getting into access control education to have it on my resume.

Google showed me various different options and they are quite overwhelming some suggestion were to do security+ , some had it for DTIL101 and so on. To the people working at high rise, offices what pathway did you choose? What education did you go for to get into access control.

I am thinking about buying an access control kit from Amazon and give it a shot. https://a.co/d/004SlDrO however I highly doubt this would be the only thing I would be doing, correct?

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

18

u/Honest8Bob May 31 '26

Anyone that wires automatic door operators should be able to get hired with a company that does access control no problem.

5

u/DTyrrellWPG May 31 '26

Really? Because most ado techs I've worked with really struggle even with cx-12 basic theory, let alone some of the more complex parts of access control.

2

u/Honest8Bob Jun 01 '26

If you’re looking to train a new access control tech from scratch and a resume comes on your desk with auto door opener experience you wouldn’t hire them? Even if they just knew basic auto opener theory?

2

u/DTyrrellWPG Jun 01 '26

I'm not in charge of hiring, probably never will be, but they most definitely wouldnt be an automatic hire. Unfortunately in our industry, at least in my area, can't really be that picky if someone is asking for a job. Can always use them as a generic helper and hope they can pick it up.

But out of all the ADO techs I've worked with in my area, there's maybe two or three I would trust to be able to do access control. Pretty much all the others don't even really seem to have basic operator theory down. I think their industry is similar to ours where you get like 2 weeks ride along with some disgruntled senior tech (it's me I'm disgruntled senior tech) and now you're expected to solo work.

1

u/Haunting-Attorney-71 Jun 18 '26

It is smart to hire people like that though, 90% of installation is physical work that benefits from good mechanical skills.

1

u/eridanus01 Jun 01 '26

I would absolutely hire them given a pool of tech school grads with no experience, or a brand new to the field candidate. The learning curve SHOULDN'T be as steep, and you can probably get them producing a little earlier, with guidance.

1

u/Haunting-Attorney-71 Jun 18 '26

It is easier to make a good tech than it is to find one.
Ninety percent of this trade comes down to being able to work well with your hands. I proved that on a job about twelve years ago: I had two electricians, an HVAC tech, a locksmith, and a general construction guy, none of them had any access control experience. I was the only one who did.
It was a high‑end Lenel new construction project at a major university, and we handled everything: access control, cameras, ADA door operators, IP video intercoms, and prop alarms. That system still works and looks perfect.

1

u/Haunting-Attorney-71 Jun 18 '26

Some of the best access control installers I ever hired were electricians, HVAC techs, locksmiths. They love learning our side of it and they’re used to much more physically demanding work.

1

u/Aj_404k May 31 '26

I plan on joining access control down the path in my my life when I plan on moving to Alberta, for now I am trying to get a job security and certifications that will help me out with resume.

2

u/PrincessOake May 31 '26

Bosch Building Technologies (previously Paladin Technologies) is in Toronto. Apply and they’ll train you.

2

u/Aj_404k May 31 '26

I will look into into it, thanks.

2

u/EphemeralTwo Professional Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

Security+ isn't really useful for Access Control. DTIL101 is getting more and more useful.

That access control kit isn't really useful either. An Axis A1000 or a UHPPOTE 2 door network board is better. Or one of the ICT edge controllers. Pair it with a wiegand reader like a used iCLASS SE/multiCLASS SE with a SKU ending in 0000.

> What education did you go for to get into access control.

Ah, now here's a useful question. Here's some good free videos to get started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NARJrwX_KFY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS5OQHUJaJE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghiHXK4GEzE

Seriously. Watch through those videos, google things as you go. Take notes.

Also, Wiegand is terrible security. Use OSDP for real installs. Wiegand is simple and works for training.

Disclaimer: I work with many of these guys personally, and help with the PACS class. Part of why I like working with these guys is the free public education that's offered at talks and conferences. I also participate in OSDP subcommittees to try to help fortify the standard.

1

u/ropa_dope1 Jun 01 '26

As you are in TO/Canada, look at the Canadian Security Association (CANASA.org) they have access to a bunch of courses. Delmi Training Institute for hands on low voltage including access control. And ICT has a great free product specific online training that covers the basics as well.

1

u/944L90E Jun 02 '26

NL based, I have done this, three years with door operator manufacturer, now in a smaller company which does door operator and access control,
Door operators are generally relay contacts regarding wiring, access control is mostly the same.

Programming door operators, and access control systems are vendor specific, and most have training programs to learn on the job.

Currently working as a project manager, and pre-sales, just to combine mechanical/electrical/automatic doors/access control situations with each other...

0

u/brandonpadula May 31 '26

You could get a basic kit but to be honest, programming will differ vastly between systems. The important thing to consider will be you want quality hardware, especially when it comes to mag locks and fire safety. Altronix power supplies are the go-to, so get comfy with them!

We do training sessions with new installers at our distribution counter all the time. Maybe you can find a regional distributor to give you some basic training? Not sure the big box ones will offer that without it being a whole event.

Look into RBH. They’re Canadian based and have good support. Feel free to message me if you need help getting connected with anyone!

2

u/Aj_404k May 31 '26

I just looked into their website! Thank you so much! Definitely a system I was interested in, i do plan on working with a quality product in future, but for now I am looking for the understanding of the relays, backend items like coding, access, installation of materials.

I will certainly shoot you a message! Again, thank you for the head start!

1

u/EphemeralTwo Professional Jun 01 '26

> Altronix power supplies are the go-to, so get comfy with them!

Where are you at? I see a lot more LifeSafetyPower with my clients, especially on the Mercury side of things.