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September 1999 Timepieces: News AWI to Start WOSTEP Institute looks to retailers and manufacturers to join training efforts The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute has approved use of Switzerland's top watchmaker training school's 3,000-hour course. In a unanimous vote, the AWI Board of Directors approved the courses certified by the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training & Educational Program (WOSTEP) in Neuchâtel, says AWI President David Christianson. AWI becomes the fifth fully certified facility in the United
States to offer the full WOSTEP course. The others are North
Seattle Community College, Seattle, WA; University of Oklahoma,
Okmulgee, OK; St. Paul Technical College, St. Paul, MN; and the
Texas Institute of The first students in the new course will enter in the August 2000 AWI Academy program. Formerly a one-year program, the academy now will be two years with the addition of the WOSTEP course, says Christianson. A minimum of 10 students are expected for the initial class, though AWI can accommodate more if needed, he says. Placing Students Such participation in training in the U.S. is critical, says Anthony Riggio, national service director for watch retailer Tourneau and acting chairman of the AWI Industry Advisory Board. "We have far fewer fully trained people entering watchmaking today – demand far exceeds supply," he says. "We are all desperate for technicians." Jim Lubic, who heads the AWI training program, says recent
graduates of the AWI Academy all were able to secure positions
in the industry before they graduated. "Also retailers and
service centers realize they need to offer stronger salaries
and benefits than have been offered in the past." – by Michael Thompson
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