'Spirit of the craftsman' needed to produce better products

A watchmaker works on a Swiss timepiece. [Photo/IC]

Switzerland is famous for its watches. Swiss artisans polish each component through every stage precisely until achieving perfection by displaying the craftsman's spirit.

The apprenticeship system has a big following in Switzerland. Two thirds of Swiss students start vocational education after completing middle school. Many undergo academic and vocational training at the same time.

Most young Swiss start job hunting at 16, working as an apprentice in an enterprise for three or four days a week while studying in school for the remainder.

Only one third young Swiss choose to pursue higher academic careers such as studying in universities.

But no matter what choice they make they can always change their path to try the other.

Fabian Umoh, 20, is one young man to have found the vocational passion after initially choosing a high school to follow an academic career.

He became an apprentice in the electronics division of the Schindler Group, the world's second largest elevator provider, after discovering his love for "hands on" jobs.

He needs to learn welding and programming. "You need to know where to install all those components. It takes weeks to make a circuit board," Umoh said.

He believes apprenticeship experience is crucial and plans to learn electronics in an application-oriented university.

Sitting opposite Umoh is 15-year-old Henry who operates electronic parts with pliers. He is in grade 8 (equivalent to second year in middle school), and is also an apprentice.

"I'd like to know how electronics work," Henry said. "You need to do it again and again to be proficient."

Swiss middle school students start to study vocational careers and have experience of being an apprentice in the second year. In third year, or ninth grade, students begin to send out CVs and apply for apprenticeships with companies.

The system has a long history in Switzerland, the country having improved its standard of handicraft since the 18th century.

Now it has a name for its spirit of the craftsman and superior products.

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