New Rolex training centre

On September 18^th, Rolex inaugurated its new training centre at Acacias in Geneva, with the aim of training the talent it needs for the future. A pioneering company since its beginnings, the brand has created a unique centre near its international headquarters: a pole of excellence that is entirely dedicated to developing skills.

The centre occupies a 4,300 m² area, divided into around 20 spaces on two floors. Nearly 3,000 managers, employees and apprentices from the three Rolex sites in Geneva will be trained annually.

Continuous education
One floor is devoted to continuous education. The latter is organised into three streams. The main aim of one stream, “Product Culture”, is to transmit knowledge about Rolex watches and heritage.

The “Trades” stream is devoted to the acquisition and development of technical competencies. This enables the company to adapt to the technological development of its many trades. In this regard, each employee benefits from the transmission of Rolex expertise in their area, in order to master their tasks and work tools.

Finally, continuous training offers a “Managerial” stream, which is also designed to help develop the company’s employees, in line with Rolex’ mindset and values. These fundamental values are a passion for quality, an ongoing quest for excellence, a pioneering spirit, a taste for performance, innovation and self-surpassing.

Training apprentices
The second floor of the centre is entirely dedicated to training apprentices. In 1984, Rolex, was Geneva’s first watch industry employer to engage in inhouse training by creating places for apprentices. Today it is one of the only manufacturers in the industry with a training structure of this size.
Every year, the brand trains around 100 employees in some 15 different trades (watchmaking, polymechanics, industrial and administrative trades), with the guarantee of a first job for the most deserving. It offers dual-system training (school-company) in order to combine theory and practice. It has a unique support structure designed to best assist the apprentices in their careers. Currently, Rolex trains more than 160 apprentices in total annually, including those at the Biel/Bienne manufacturing site.

Internships
In addition to training apprentices, the Geneva training centre offers internships to students from graduate schools, and always with the aim of meeting future labour needs. Because its know-how is also part of its heritage, it has made it a duty to transmit it. Training for Rolex represents the most precious asset it can offer future generations. With this centre, Rolex is actively contributing to developing watchmaking trades, not only for itself but for the entire industry.

By surrounding itself with internal and external partners, known for their teaching and their skills, Rolex has made its training centre a place conducive to fruitful exchanges. Young meet old for the transmission of skills and the development of each individual’s competencies. The architecture of the premises has been designed as an open and modular space that encourages transversality and transparency.

Remaining closely focused on the company’s needs while looking to the future, the training centre will continuously develop training methods and offer a constantly evolving teaching resource, in order to meet today’s needs and the challenges of tomorrow.

Brand founder Hans Wilsdorf wanted both Rolex’ commercial success and the wellbeing of the people who bring it to life. The training centre entrenches this philosophy by encouraging the transmission of the company’s heritage through the development and growth of all. It thus confirms Rolex’ position as a role model and source of inspiration for current and future generations.

October 25, 2018