[ via NationalJeweler ]

The War Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, in conjunction with the American Watch Guild, will be launching The Watchmaker and Technician Training Program for Disabled War Veterans and War Veterans.

With the number of practicing watchmakers at an all-time-low of 4,400, the goal of the program is to help replenish the shortage of watchmakers and watch technicians.

So far, the program has accomplished the following:

* Bob Filotei, national director of the program, is in communication with 11 U.S. horological schools, which will donate scholarships, tools and materials.
* Letters have been sent to horological schools announcing the initiative.
* A Web site is being built that will be the focal point for war veterans, horological schools, manufacturers and retailers.

In addition, watch retailers and service centers will be enlisted to apprentice interested veterans for a 2-4 week period. The veterans will work side-by-side with watch technicians to learn basic skills and will be evaluated on their dexterity, passion and patience. Some of the candidates will go on to enroll in horological schools, and others might remain on site for further technical training.

The War Veterans Watchmaker Initiative also plans to form an alliance with The Fischer House program, which donates "comfort homes" on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers so families can be close to loved ones while they're receiving treatment.

The organization will also launch a public relations campaign targeting trade publications, news and government organizations.

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Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)