Ten successful years of apprenticeship training and new apprentices at Lange
Twelve young men and women today begin their watchmaking apprenticeship at this traditional manufactory for exclusive mechanical timepieces in Saxony. After a warm welcome to the inhouse Watchmaking School from Lange’s Head of the Manufactory Tino Bobe and their future training supervisors, the new apprentices received their tools and the characteristic white watchmaker's smock.
In three years time they will have excellent prospects of finding employment in this steadily growing company. Just like many apprentices before them. Of the nearly fifty young people to complete their apprenticeships since the company opened its own watchmaking school exactly ten years ago, almost all have found a permanent position at Lange. In fact, many of them are now part of the team of experts and prove their skill and expertise in assembling watch complications and precious timepieces every day. These apprenticeships are highly sought after. There were about ten applicants for each position which allowed the company to select only the most talented candidates. The key abilities needed by anyone wanting to become a watchmaker are an understanding of mathematics and technology, fine mechanical skills, and a passion for perfection.
Due to the continuing growth of the company, the number of apprenticeships has grown steadily over the last few years. As from the late summer of 2007 a total of 34 trainees will get their initiation into the basics of the art of watchmaking and toolmaking at the Lange Watchmaking School which offers state-of-the-art facilities. Founded in 1997, the school is situated in the historic Lange headquarters and provides training that meets the high standards demanded by the manufactory. In addition to the practical training at Lange, the three-year apprenticeship also incorporates theoretical instruction at the Glashütte-based Watches and Precision Engineering branch of the nearby Dippoldiswalde Vocational School. The course also includes studies abroad at the renowned watchmaking schools of Ringsted (Denmark) and Karlstein (Austria).