[Jewelry making - Article 00212] - Re: [Orchid] New Approach School for Jewelers

[Douglas Zaruba]

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Trevor, and all,

    You are totally correct when you stated that the 12 week course at
    the New Approach School is a "stepping stone" to an apprenticeship. A
    "full blown apprenticeship" is usually nothing more than an entry
    level position in a jewelry shop. I have not seen any "true"
    apprenticeships offered by anyone in the industry.  Many years ago, I
    had the great fortune to do just such an apprenticeship. The Master
    set aside time every day to further my training, and I was given a
    series of projects and written exams to complete. I also spent a
    great part of my day working in the shop doing repairs, polishing,
    grunt work, 12 hours a day, at minimum wage. After 5 years of very
    hard work, I received the "honorary" title of Master Goldsmith. I
    spent the next 25 years trying to master goldsmithing... 

    The 12 week program at the New Approach School, or the similar
    program offered at Revere Academy, are truly unique opportunities. If
    someone with no skills were to apply for a job at any production
    shop, they would have to be desperately in need of a "warm body" to
    hire you at all. You will require someone to stop what they are
    working on (regularly) to train you. You will be a liability for many
    months. Most likely, you will receive just enough training to make
    you useful,but not enough to advance quickly. You will be able to
    PRACTICE your new skills every day. The quality of your training will
    only be as good as the person training you. There are a lot of people
    out there with years of experience that do not know the PROPER way to
    do things. 

    The Intensive Jewelry Training program really does condense a LOT
    into a very short time.  You will also receive your training from a
    top-notch professional, someone who is well known and well respected
    in the industry. What you don't get in 12 weeks is the years of
    PRACTICE. If you were to apply for a position at a production shop,
    you have something to offer your employer: KNOWLEDGE. Your employer
    knows that you won't be as fast or experienced as someone with five
    years of bench experience, but you will quickly excel at any task
    that you are given. You will be an asset in that shop from the very
    first day. After five years of practice, you will be so much farther
    ahead than by ANY other path you could have taken. 

    JA Certification is also available as a way to "certify" your level
    of expertise. I would expect that a diligent, capable student would
    probably have mastered enough skill and received enough training to
    pass the Level 2 Bench Jeweler certification. 

    In my opinion, the program at the Revere Academy and at the New
    Approach School are worth far more than the cost of tuition. If you
    seriously love this field and truly wish to master all the
    information and skills available in one lifetime, then this will be
    the best investment you ever made. I can guarantee it. 

Douglas Zaruba
35 N. Market St.
Frederick, MD 21701
301 695-1107
dreamgate AT earthlink.net

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