Last Monday, we looked at the diploma programmes available for young school leavers. But the powers that be in the watch industry have no intention of leaving matters there. The Ecole des Métiers et Artisans de Haute Horlogerie has developed an evaluation mechanism that enables them to measure the key watchmaking skills and aptitudes of all participants. The system is already in place for the watchmaking trades – for the positions of operator, watchmaker and after-sales service – and Roland Hirschi, Director of the Campus Genevois de la Haute Horlogerie intends to expand the test to cover micromechanics, engraving and enamelling.
This “360°” evaluation, which is open to both Richemont employees and people from outside the group, is carried out on an ETA movement that has been previously adjusted to a default setting. The test’s repeatability and reliability are thus guaranteed, and the following skills can be accurately evaluated: functionality, casing-up, dial and hand assembly, movement repair, waterproofing and productivity. There is no final score at the end of the test, but the examiner is able to produce a comprehensive picture of the candidate’s skills with reference to an assessment grid.
Its ability to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate makes this an invaluable tool for human resources departments, who are thus able to assess the potential of each candidate. And the candidates themselves are given a fresh viewpoint on their future career path.
The Ecole des Métiers et Artisans de Haute Horlogerie has also put in place a continuing education programme that meets a genuine need, providing ongoing evaluation of watchmaking skills on the basis of a reliable database. These two-week courses are aimed at helping operators, watchmakers and after-sales service watchmakers to build on their skills in areas identified in a prior evaluation.
Don’t miss the third and final article in our series on the Ecole des Métiers et Artisans de Haute Horlogerie next Monday.
For more information, visit http://www.campusghh.ch/ecole/
