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How the entire value chain contributes to sustainability
One of the advantages of a vocational education is that you earn money while you learn. When you have a training contract and are in the main phase, you receive apprentice pay — even during the periods when you are at school. This distinguishes vocational education from a purely academic education, where you are instead on state education grant.
§The apprentice wages increase through the program.
Student wages are not a fixed amount all the way through. They are step-wise and increase as you progress further in your education and get better. The idea is simple: the more you can contribute to the workshop the more your wages increase. The specific rates are set in the collective agreement and change over time so you should always find the current figures from your trade union or employer.
§What is a collective agreement?
A collective agreement is an agreement about wage and working conditions negotiated between the employees' and employers' organizations. In the watchmaker field the agreement is concluded between the trade union for watchmakers and the watchmakers' employers' association. The collective agreement describes among other things how the apprentice wage is stepped up and what conditions apply during training.
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- 02Holiday pay and supplements beyond the fixed salary
- 03Pension and other terms of employment
- 04Rules for school placement and training
§Adult students
If you are a bit older when you start, special rules may apply in some cases. The collective agreement parties may, for example, recommend that the wage for the oldest students be set in relation to a certain level. If you are over 25, it may also be relevant to explore the rules for adult apprentices. Ask the school and your organisation what applies to your specific situation.
§Terms as fully trained
When you have the journeyman's certificate you're skilled and your terms are negotiated on new grounds. As a skilled watchmaker you can be employed at a store or workshop or over time become self-employed. Here too it's the collective agreement and your specific agreement with the employer that determines wages pension and other terms.
The most important thing to take with you is that throughout your education you are ensured some framework you can count on — and that you yourself are responsible for knowing your rights. Membership in a trade organization can help you figure out whether your conditions are as they should be.