Luxury German watch company Glashütte Original has inaugurated 17 new apprentices at its manufactory, marking the beginning of three years’ training with the Swatch Group brand.
Among this year’s apprentices, 14 will learn the craft of watchmaking at the company’s own Alfred Helwig watchmaking school, and three will study toolmaking.
Commencing their studies earlier this month, the 17 new apprentices were welcomed at a ceremony held at Glashütte’s German Watch Museum. The apprentices were then given their first tools and an opportunity to explore their classrooms.
In total, training lasts three years for watchmakers and three-and-a-half for the toolmakers.
Their studies include several periods of practical training in selected areas of the manufactory – an opportunity to build their theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience – along with introductions to traditional craft techniques and today’s most advanced watchmaking processes and procedures.
A partnership with the Swiss WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program) underscores the Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking, meaning students who have completed their German training can earn a Swiss diploma as well.
At present, the Glashütte Original manufactory is training more than 70 apprentices as it seeks to hand down watchmaking knowledge from generation to generation.
The company has run a successful apprentice programme for 15 years ago, training 188 young people during that time.
