One of the most commendable educational initiatives in recent years was launched this week at the Ion IC Brătianu Technological High School in Bucharest: a watchmaking workshop that will train the first generation of Romanian specialists in the last 30 years.
The inauguration of the classroom at the Ion IC Brătianu High School, where future watchmakers will learn the secrets of the trade, took place in the presence of His Excellency, the Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Arthur Mattli. Along with his lordship, the representatives of the most important watchmaking companies in Romania, the management of the partner high school Ion IC Brătianu, representatives of the City Hall and the School Inspectorate, journalists, but also enthusiasts, connoisseurs and collectors of Swiss watches were present at the event.
The watch is no longer a simple time-measuring tool, it is a status symbol and a style statement, both for companies in the field, who, through their products, demonstrate their know-how, and for customers who shows his appreciation for watchmaking as a discipline that operates at the confluence of art and science. In this equation, the role of the specialist watchmaker is very important, as he is the guarantor of the perpetuation of this symbol. The lack of skilled people is putting pressure on both the market and the industry.
The establishment of the workshop is an initiative of the Romanian Academy of Watchmaking (ARC), a program that aims to introduce a new concept into the Romanian education system, by which to prepare high school students to work in the watchmaking industry. Every year, 25 students will be able to follow, in a dual system, the courses of the watchmaking workshop at the Ion IC Brătianu Technological High School.
ARC aims to revitalize and strengthen watchmaking as a "métier d'art", training professionals for service networks in Romania, but also in Switzerland, France, Germany or the USA. Another direction of action of ARC is to bring back to life domestic watchmaking, both as a production and as a service.
ARC's approach and collaboration with Ion I. C Brătianu Technological High School, the only secondary education institution in Romania accredited in the field of fine mechanics, takes place more than 30 years after the last graduation of watchmakers graduated from a local school.
Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, ARC will train students in the dual vocational system over three years. The curriculum contains both theoretical and practical courses, the latter taking place over a total period of 24 weeks (5 weeks in the first year, 9 in the second, 10 in the third).
In addition, students will have one day of practice each week, so that its weight will reach 72% in the third year of study.
Dual education in Romania is a full cycle with day courses that follow the secondary school cycle. Upon its completion, a certification exam is held for the third level of professional qualification.
ARC benefits from the support of important companies and institutions, such as Tavannes Co. from Switzerland, Albini Prassa, B&B/Kultho and the Bucharest Local Council.
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