News 
Thirty years ago, keen to pass on to young people the manufacturing secrets it had acquired over the decades, Jaeger-LeCoultre opened a dedicated training centre. Housed in a “mini-Manufacture”, apprentices are supervised by experienced instructors. This summer, around ten of them received their precious diploma.
On 4 July this year, in addition to the official graduation ceremony for the class of 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated 30 years of training at its Manufacture in the presence of around a hundred guests. In the company of CEO Catherine Renier and Manufacture Director Michel Fazzone, the students’ families, along with teachers from the Ecole technique de la Vallée de Joux (ETVJ) and Olivier Baudat, Mayor of Le Chenit, came to share this moment with the graduates.
This year, five young people in the watchmaking section, two in the micromechanics section and two commercial employees obtained their CFC and received their end-of-year diplomas. Among these were two employees undergoing in-house training, learning a new trade, and preparing for a CFC in micromechanics by training within the Manufacture to learn the first stage in the “micromechanics setter” trade.
Training centre
Launched in 1993, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Training Centre has since welcomed 196 apprentices preparing for five different professions. Originally, watchmakers were trained in the workshops, in contact with an experienced and unique professional who devoted time to them while continuing to work in parallel. In 1993, the Manufacture began to dedicate full-time trainers to this process.
In 2021, Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to bring together the various apprentices and trades in a single area, including design, machining and assembly. The result was a 280sqm “mini-Manufacture”.
Over the years, the training programme has been expanded to include micromechanics, quality control and IT. The first CFC in microtechnology quality control will be awarded next year.
The four dedicated trainers and the three “trade mentors” devote half their time to in-house training and the other half to the 33 apprentices and to hosting trainees – around a hundred a year – on training courses at schools in Switzerland (ETVJ, CMP Porrentruy), France (Morteau, Rennes, Bordeaux...) and Belgium (Namur).
Immersive courses to discover the watchmaking profession
The Manufacture plays an active role in career guidance for the younger generation by offering two-day internships, open to both students and people already in work, focusing on the watchmaking profession. During these two days, students are given the opportunity to practise the watchmaking trade on a real in-house movement. More than just an introduction to the watchmaking profession, this is an opportunity for young people to confirm a budding passion and for adults to make a career choice.
Internships within the Manufacture
Students from various European watchmaking and micromechanics schools also spend four to six weeks at the training centre. Relations with these schools take the form of annual agreements to host trainees, or one-off contacts to organise discovery visits (France, Belgium, as well as Germany and Austria).
Keenly aware of its vocation to pass on watchmaking skills, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to open its doors, thus creating a watchmaking professions discovery centre. At a time when watchmaking skills are evolving, Jaeger-LeCoultre is committed to passing on and protecting ancestral expertise.
Apprenticeships
Learning a trade by combining practical and theoretical instruction is the educational principle of apprenticeship. Since 1970, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been welcoming young people who wish to reconcile their studies and careers. The high-quality, dynamic environment provided by a leading watch Manufacture is an added bonus for students.
Building on its creative spirit, Jaeger-LeCoultre wishes to pass on to young people the manufacturing secrets it has acquired over decades of practical experience. Depending on their diploma, apprentices will spend between two and four years at the training centre, alternating with courses at the Ecole technique de la Vallée de Joux.
During the three years of training, practical experience is acquired at the Manufacture, where apprentice watchmakers are taught everything from component production to the assembly of prestigious timepieces.
In 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a four-year micromechanics course. Theoretical courses are given at the ETVJ, while practical skills are acquired at the Manufacture. At the end of the training, an examination validates the Federal Certificate of Competence (CFC) in micromechanics.
Training at the heart of Human Resources
Firmly committed to the well-being of its staff, Jaeger-LeCoultre encourages the development of skills and career advancement for its employees. In-house training courses enable them to enhance their know-how and skills or to discover and be trained in other professions.
Founded in 1833, the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux houses all the watchmaking expertise needed to design and manufacture complete timepieces, involving more than 40 professions and 30 cutting-edge technologies under one roof. With 1,231 mechanical calibres, over half of them featuring commplications, as well as more than 350 registered patents, the Maison plays a major role in the development of Swiss Haute Horlogerie. The transmission of know-how is therefore a genuine mission for Jaeger-LeCoultre.
August 31, 2023