[Jewelry making - Article 00944] - Re: [Orchid] Apprenticeships?

[Richard W. Wise]

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    At the risk of sounding like an old curmudgeon I'd like to say that
    the whole apprentice issue is a frustrating one. Last year I
    attempted to recruit an apprentice. 

    This was not the first time we have sucessfully trained several, one
    to the point of becoming our chief designer (he subsequently left to
    become a Chiropractor). When I began, twenty-eight years ago (God has
    it been that long) recruitment wasn't a problem. The children of the
    Sixties had a philosphical commitment to "crafts". We all wore jeans
    and workshirts like Bob Dylan and were committed to honest work.
    Being a craftsman was seen as an important and valuable calling. 

    Today, as we know, things have changed. There seems to be no
    commitment to anything beyond self. Kids I speak with seem more
    interested in funding their retirement than in learning a craft.
    They want to know about their "career ladder" before they pick up a
    hammer. No one is willing to begin at the bottom and there seems to
    be little in the way of loyalty to anyone of anything. 

    At 59 years old I would love to find someone interested in picking up
    where I must soon (actuarally speaking) leave off. And, hell between
    myself and my highly skilled workshop crew, have 75 years experience
    in making the most interesting and difficult hand made jewelry. I
    have spent 25 years traveling the world and have developed, what I
    believe to be the potentially most profitable retail model for
    independent jewelers in the 21st century. I'm no slouch as a
    gemologist either. 

    Apprenticeship is a very big commitment on both sides. The potential
    apprentice must be willing to work at low wages for several years.
    The master must be willing to spend endless hours teaching. 

Richard
www.rwwise.com
For Information and sample chapters from my new book: 
www.secretsofthegemtrade.com

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