Job Outlook Clocks and watch are important gadgets that we use everyday. They can come in large size or in the minutest size fot the watches. They also come in different styles, shapes and forms. Whatever the physical attributes of these gadgets are, their main function is to keep us updated with the time every second, every minute and every hour in a day. However, like people, watch and clocks also have lifespan and subject to damages and malfunction. The people responsible for the repair and check up of these are the watch and clock repairers. Their responsibilities may include cleaning these gadgets, doing adjustment, repairs and regulating chronometers, timepieces and other related instruments. Presently, there are approximately over 3,000 watch and clock repairers in the United States.
Education Knowledge and Trainings Required
Trainings in high school for prospective clock and watch repairers include taking subjects or courses in electronics, physics, mathematics, as well as some shop courses. For the post secondary training, since this is a type of a trade job, it is best to take courses on Horology. Typically, this course can be accomplised in one to three years, which will home the skills of the future repairers on disassembling, reassembling, oiling, cleaning, replacing complex parts or repairing several types of timepieces. Certifications can be obtained after passing a written examination and a practical exam on the repairing skill, to be given by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.
Skills and Abilities
As watch and clock repairers, they should have a very good eyesight and hand eye coordination. Being keen or detail oriented is necessary as they deal with small parts of the inside of these gadgets. Technical skills, mecahnical or manipulative skills are the bread and butter of being a clock/watch repairer. Analytical thinking is needed so as to diagnose what must have possibly gone wrong with the parts that should function properly. Concern to the customers and integrity at work are highly regarded in this job.
Duties
Watch and clock repairers may be emplyed by a watch company, watch repair shops, or run their own business, or be self employed.
In whatever work settings they may be in, the main duty of a watch/clock repairer is to take client's electronic timepieces for evaluation of function or assessment, then for further mangement, mostly repair. After diagnosing what went wrong with the gadgets, they suggest processes such as cleaning, battery replacement, oiling, small piece /part replacement, so as to make these work just as normally as they should. They primarily work indoors, and get a constant client from walk-ins, referrals, as well as buyers of specific watch brands.
Job Outlook and Earnings
The job outlook for watch and clock repairers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all the other types of jobs. The salary or earnings for them ranges from as low as 17,310 U.S. dollars to 31,640 U.S.dollars. The variations come from the number of items repaired, the length of hours of work, the state of employment and the size of the employer's enterprise. Experienced employers or those with their own businesses or otherwise self employed can earn roughly around 51,250 U.S. dollars per annum.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.