Revue FH - 10 February 2011
This marks a new achievement for the CP, which is responsible for matters relating to vocational training in the watch industry and which, allied with the cantons and the Confederation, leads projects concerning the revision of trades – a major provision of the law on vocational training (LFPr).
A proliferation of trades within the watch industry is covered by the LFPr, including those linked to the finishing of timepieces. Polishers and finishers in watch decoration are included in this category, their job being to reveal the material of the timepiece (or jewel) by giving it its final brilliance, an essential stage in the production process.
After two years of work by experts in the sector under the aegis of the CP, the revision of polishing trades has been officially recognised by the competent body, namely the Federal Office of Vocational Training and Technology (OFFT), with effect from 1st January 2011.
Training in the trades of polisher and finisher in watch decoration takes the form of a college-workplace dual apprenticeship. The two courses are similar, save for the fact that finishers have more advanced skills in micro-engineering, hence a three year course sanctioned by a Federal Certificate of Capacity (CFC). On this point, nothing has changed. However the trade of polisher now leads to a Vocational Training Certificate (AFP), offering young people the chance to join the world of work on completion of a recognised two-year course with a practical orientation (according to the new provisions of the LFPr). As a result, the trade of «CFC Polisher» disappears.
This innovation is intended to highlight two aspects: to reposition the trade of polisher as an activity based on the execution of a task (practical training, less demanding) and to raise the activity of finisher to a higher level, with additional knowledge acquired opening the door to managerial posts, particularly in the fields of logistics and industrial automation.
It should be noted however that the holders of a polisher's AFP will be able to supplement their training with classes leading to the CFC of finisher in watch decoration.
After the machining of metallic parts, manufactured articles (case-bands, casebacks, bezels, various jewels, etc) generally leave traces of asperities, burrs and other small visual defects. Polishers apply a variety of preparatory and surface-finishing techniques (including processes carried out by hand that are particularly meticulous such as circular graining, consisting in decorating the surface by means of a small brush which engraves a series of superposed circles as it rotates).
These techniques, employed to improve the piece's visual appearance, give a «finished » look to objects prior to their assembly. The care given to finishing work, which greatly enhances the value of a piece, is of paramount importance to watch manufacturers increasingly active in the luxury sector. Finishers, whose skills also cover these techniques, carry out additional operations on CNC machines and make their own tools using their knowledge of micro-engineering. While automation is capable of carrying out simple operations, the ultimate «finishing touch» remains the preserve of the professional, who must have good manual dexterity, an eye for precision and a genuine interest in metalwork.
Adult training on the horizon
The other new feature of the revision is the introduction of modular training in polishing intended for adults who wish to improve their skills or get back into the job market. The Ifage centre in Geneva has recently integrated this training in the courses it offers; in the Jura mountain arc, another training centre is also expected to offer this course before the year is out. This adult training remedies a shortcoming in the present situation, insofar as many watch industry employees working as polishers are trained according to the needs of their firms and therefore, despite their experience, do not benefit from a recognised qualification. This system is reminiscent of the modular training in watchmaking for adults, which continues to prove successful more than 15 years after its introduction by the CP.
