Men behind Swiss watches
What makes people from Switzerland precise with their work?

By Shubhdarshani Mitra
New Delhi, October 05: Swiss watches are one of the most sought after in the world known for the craftsmanship, design and their uniqueness. The Omega factory has only nine skilled workers to make the prized Tourbillon watches. All of them started as unskilled labourers. Italian suit makers Briony train their workers for 15 years before they become master craftsmen. All this came out during a session on Swiss dual-based vocational education and training system at the global skills summit in New Delhi that highlighted the need for skills training.

Switzerland ranks high among nations that have taken skills training in a serious way to utilise the strengths of the manpower at an optimum level. Despite being a landlocked nation with no natural resources except for water, Switzerland is a successful European nation. The students in Switzerland have a choice to go for vocational training as early as in IXth standard. Those who want to continue with the academics can do so. Both have an option to go for the other one at a later stage.

“Unskilled labour is a minority in Switzerland. Students who go for vocational courses are called apprentices. The industry provides latest up-to-date training for the skilling needs of the people and the apprentices get a chance to work on the latest equipment,” said Philippe Welti, ambassador of Switzerland to India.

India and Switzerland are working together on skills. GP Chandra Kumar who was also present on the occasion is heading the pilot project. He said that the two nations are working steadily towards skills development.