FHH Academy ramps up online learning resources

If knowledge is power, training is an essential part of the journey. Yet it’s a principle we all too rarely put into practice. Whether starting out in a particular field or using ongoing training to move forward in a career, it seems we never have the time, energy, resources, motivation, whatever… Now, with more than a third of the world’s population confined indoors as a result of Covid-19, either working from home or, in the worst cases, on temporary layoff, there are no excuses. The surge in social media content and views in recent weeks shows how the need to stay occupied and reach out to others is also viral. These are opportunities training can fulfil, which is exactly the conclusion reached by FHH Academy, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie’s training division.

Remote learning is nothing new for FHH Academy which already makes extensive use of digital resources, starting with its Watch Essentials app, an introduction to watchmaking for the general public, and Watch Live, a multibrand collaborative platform that supports sales associates in their day-to-day contact with customers. And this is only a small part of what’s on offer. As FHH Academy explains in its latest newsletter, “our teams bring you a wide range of online training resources and digital tools so that you can continue to add to your knowledge of watches and watchmaking during this period of social distancing.”

Learn and evaluate

Two types of content are proposed as webinars through Skype or Zoom. One consists of 20 two-hour modules that look at the specificities of the watch industry. Each module addresses a key theme with factual knowledge that will give participants a finer grasp of the subject and a better appreciation of the craftsmanship and expertise involved. The scope of these modules covers a wide range of themes ranging from mechanical movements to specialist auctions, iconic designs to the history of watchmaking, materials to complications. The modules are completed by a programme of online talks, each an hour long including a Q&A session. Again, content is designed to cover the subject, watchmaking, from a multitude of angles. Themes include vintage watches, the history of time measurement, how a mechanical watch works, and the specificities of dive watches, chronographs or pilot’s watches. Whereas the modules are aimed at people who want to work in the watch industry, talks are geared towards a wider audience and will appeal to anyone with an interest in how we measure time. Participants can sign up directly with FHH Academy.

Learning is one thing, but how can someone be sure they’ve taken information onboard? As well as providing content, FHH Academy has developed an internationally recognised certificate. In addition to learning benefits, FHH Certification can fast-track a career in the watch industry, says the academy, which describes its main goal as “to offer the most valuable certification for professionals and prove their skills on the market. Watchmaking industry players now have an official tool to train their teams to meet the highest standard.” The certificate tests knowledge in four areas – techniques, market players, materials & finishes, culture & history – and covers three levels of expertise in three exams, which candidates can take online. And as we continue to self-isolate, there should be no shortage of revision time.