Reform of watchmaking professions

The reform of watchmaking professions has come to an end after ten years of work. New courses and new job descriptions have emerged to provide a better response to the needs of the watchmaking and micro-engineering industry.

The sector, which currently employs 58,000 people in Switzerland, now has all the tools it needs to train the next generation of workers. In 2014, 472 young people signed an apprenticeship contract in one of the professions for which the CP is responsible, a new record.

The job is done: after ten years of work, all professions in the watchmaking and micro-engineering sector have now been reformed. As an employment organisation operating under Swiss employment legislation (OrTra), the Employers’ Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (CP) has successfully concluded «its» reform of professions, one of the major initiatives set out in the federal law on vocational training (LFPr) which entered into force in 2004. The industry now has a range of skills which satisfy three objectives: a full and adequate response to the needs of industry, a consistent offer in terms of the different levels of training, and ideal conditions encouraging firms to increase the pace of training still further. The new face of watchmaking professions ensures that industrial know-how is geared up and ready for the future.

CFC production technician and CFC watchmaker

The CP is responsible for seven professions corresponding to thirteen training options. Entry into force of the new «training ordinances» (formerly regulations) has been staggered since 2010. The last professions to be revised are by no means the least, i.e. watchmakers. Since 1st March 2015:

  • the CFC watchmaker-practitioner becomes: CFC production watchmaker (3-year apprenticeship),
  • both CFC watchmaker roles, one in the field of watch repairs, the other in industry, have been merged into the single profession of CFC watchmaker (4-year apprenticeship), a simple and concise title which perfectly encapsulates the industry’s flagship profession.


It should also be noted that on 1st February 2015 the role of micro-engineering designer entered into force to replace the previous designation. The first apprentices to be trained under these new identities will start their courses in August 2015.

«Timers» recognised at a federal level

Another major innovation of this reform: a special course in the timing of mechanical watches has been integrated into watchmaking operator training. This leads to a federal certificate of vocation training (AFP). This federal qualification corresponds to a 2-year apprenticeship and is particularly well-suited to those who are skilful with their hands.

The profession of «timer» disappeared off the radar screen in the 1970s in the wake of the quartz crisis. It reappeared in 1991 in the form of a private course taught at the «Timing School» in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Now recognised as a qualification at a federal level, theoretical courses will be taught at technical colleges which provide training for watchmakers (Bienne, Geneva, Granges, Le Locle, Le Sentier and Porrentruy). The Timing School will close its doors in July with its final intake of «timers» under the private scheme. It will have trained 114 apprentices in more than 20 years.

 

2014 intake: record numbers
At the start of the 2014 academic year in August, 472 young people in Switzerland signed a training contract in one of the CP’s professions. The latter cover all stages of watch production, from initial design to timing of the movement, including the manufacture of components. The rise in the number of apprenticeships has been significant over the past ten years: while manpower in the industry has risen by 56% since 2004, apprenticeships have
recorded an upturn of 75% and sandwich courses with private firms (known as dual training) have increased by 150% over the same period.

The proportion of dual training in new contracts topped the 40% mark for the first time in 2014 and now stands at 43%, a figure which proves that the industry continues to spare no effort on the training front.

April 17, 2015