On 30 September 2011, 52,803 people were active in the watchmaking and microtechnology sector, i.e. 4,255 more than the previous year. This is the finding of the annual survey carried out by the Employers' Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (CP). It is the first time that the figures have taken a positive turn in three years, following the loss of 4,203 units (-7.9%) in 2009 and the slight downturn registered in 2010 (-1.1%). Meanwhile the number of companies has fallen by 23 units (-3.8%), from 596 to 573; the result contrasts sharply with previous figures, but can be explained by developments in the industry (mergers, absorptions, closures, bankruptcies).
These positive results reflect the high level of activity in the sector: the watchmaking and microtechnology industry, with its healthy infrastructure, high production capacity and the ability to withstand sudden changes in the economic situation, is in a position comparable to the years of strong growth between 2007 and 2008.
Manpower in 2011 was the second highest since 1978, the high point having been reached in 2008 (with 53,300 employees). It will be remembered that the figure fell below the 30,000 mark as a result of the watch industry crisis (29,809 workers in 1987) and only started climbing again regularly from the end of the 1990s. In ten years, the watchmaking and microtechnology industry has gained nearly 12,000 workers.
In terms of geographical distribution, the leading trio of cantons in the Jura region remains unchanged from the situation that has been current for many years; it comprises Neuchâtel (27.7%), Berne (20.3%) and Geneva (17.1%). Next come the cantons of Jura (9.8%), Vaud (9.2%) and Soleure (7.4%). In 2011, growth in manpower was evident mainly in the cantons of Neuchâtel (+1,298), Berne (+1,091) and Jura (+545). These six cantons account for nearly 92% of the 573 firms in the sector.
Details by category of personnel show the expected results: production staff, the leading recruitment category in good economic times, saw their numbers increase by 9.9% (+3,535). For information, it was this same category – including, in addition to workshop employees, all personnel linked to research and development – which was hardest hit in 2009, with 10% fewer workers (-3,940) and which suffered a further decline in 2010 (-570 jobs). Aside from management personnel (1,555 employees, -3.2%), other categories also show a positive trend: administrative personnel (11,719, +6.7%), home workers (286, +12.2%) and the aforementioned production staff.
The industry can be proud once again of very pleasing figures reflecting the level of qualification of its workers. It is clear that, slowly but surely, the proportion of unqualified workers is falling. From 2010 to 2011, this figure fell from 37% to 36.6%. Whereas twenty years ago, two thirds of employees were unqualified and only one third qualified, the position is now the reverse. Qualified workers represent 61.5% of total manpower (45.2% with an industry diploma and 16.3% with a higher education diploma).
While young people are being drawn in ever greater numbers to watch industry training courses, the number of apprentices (965 young people) carrying out their training within a firm (dual apprenticeship) has remained unchanged since 2010. The proportion of this category has even dropped, falling to 1.9% as against 2.1% in 2010. These disappointing results should not overshadow efforts made by training firms in the sector. Such efforts have been particularly significant in the «good years», for example in 2007, which saw an increase of more than 18% in the number of apprenticeships, and in 2008, when the upturn exceeded 4%. The good current economic situation offers the promise of better results in the future.
Regarding the affiliation of watchmaking and microtechnology firms to the industry's collective bargaining system, i.e. the Collective Agreement (CCT) cosigned by trade unions, the level of stability in terms of numbers is striking. The number of workers employed by companies affiliated to the CCT remains very much a majority at 85.7% (same figure as in 2010). In absolute terms, this represents 45,268 people out of a total of 52,803. As for the proportion of firms, the survey reveals an almost negligible decline (0.6 of a point) compared to 2010 (from 72.3% to 71.7%), i.e. 411 firms out of a total of 573. The industry remains one of the most well represented economic sectors in terms of collective bargaining, with nearly three quarters of the industrial fabric under the CCT system.
Figures from the survey are available in a brochure published by the CP which can be downloaded from the website www. cpih.ch, under Documentation, in the downloadable documents tab.
