The future of the jewellery industry, or any traditional trade for that matter, is a subject that always sparks passionate and spirited debate.
Everyone has an opinion – some thought-provoking, others not so much!
Broadly speaking, there are several agreed-upon issues affecting jewellery retailers, and in recent weeks, significant progress has been made in addressing one in particular.
The problem is simple – the popularity of custom-made jewellery has steadily increased for the better part of two decades, and there aren’t enough young jewellers entering the industry to meet this demand.
Fortunately, the solution is also simple - more jewellery apprentices must be introduced to the workforce. This be done by improving pathways and encouraging businesses to take on developing jewellers.
Australia’s three retail buying groups – Nationwide Jewellers, Showcase Jewellers, and the Independent Jewellers Collective – have joined forces to address this shortage.
It should please everyone to see three competitors set aside any rivalry to benefit and advance the entire local industry. Indeed, many hands make light work!
Once upon a time, the industry would have likely turned to the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) to spearhead this kind of project; however, those days are long gone.
Given that the three buying groups represent approximately three times more jewellery retailers in Australia than the JAA, a more appropriate leader has stepped up to the plate - but that’s a story for another day.
This is a topic that’s been on my mind for some time – the value of effective pathways into niche industries for young workers.
I heard some heartbreaking news late last year. The newspaper where I started my career in journalism was expected to close.
The Portland Observer, with more than 180 years of history, was expected to print its final issue. My attachment to the newspaper aside, this development highlighted a concerning trend in the media and a great deal is at stake. Whenever these publications close, a vital pathway into the industry is lost.
Most journalism graduates enter the workforce thinking they know everything and rural newspapers are ideal settings to learn difficult life lessons.
With a dedicated readership, the stakes are sufficiently high that, if and when you make a mistake, you’ll hear about it — usually at the local supermarket.
A small-town newspaper is ideal for young reporters to develop a broad range of skills. With that topic fresh in my mind, I wanted to know if the same circumstances are replicated in the jewellery industry.
While researching the apprentice shortage story, I asked three experts a simple question: What is the ideal professional environment for a jewellery apprentice?
Learning the ropes
Many of the suggestions focused on the specifics of the jewellery business itself. A clear preference emerged for stores that specialise in, or at least are associated with, creating custom-made jewellery.
In these environments, apprentices are presented with new challenges and responsibilities that expand their skill set, as opposed to monotonous tasks that can stifle otherwise enthusiastic trainees.
Apprentices introduced to this setting are encouraged to blend technical expertise with creative and innovative thinking. This fosters the development of more well-rounded jewellers who are capable of thinking outside the box to solve challenges.
This is an environment not dissimilar to that of a rural newsroom for young reporters. Cadets usually begin with one round – for example, sport or business –and are gradually introduced to other areas to become more well-rounded contributors.
Returning to jewellery, it was suggested that working in a business with at least two or three experienced bench jewellers was ideal.
Apprentices can learn from multiple mentors, each bringing their strengths and weaknesses to the process. This contributes to the creation of a more versatile jeweller.
Furthermore, this type of network eliminates the risk of a jeweller becoming overwhelmed while mentoring an apprentice.
Jewellers can provide one-on-one guidance when appropriate while sharing the responsibility with others.
The same support network is used in the media, particularly with cadets, who will often ‘shadow’ a veteran journalist and observe their day-to-day work. Cadets are usually partnered with a new journalist every few days to gain exposure to different rounds.
This process also prevents a busy reporter from the burden of ‘babysitting’ a cadet.
As a final point of consideration, the jewellery business must continue to operate smoothly. The potential for a workflow disruption caused by an apprentice taking longer than expected with a task because they’re still learning isn’t good for anyone.
Explained another way, the jeweller may fall behind and feel overburdened with deadlines. If they’re paying attention, the apprentice will be aware of this stress and lose confidence.
Sink or swim?
Young jewellers need to be guided through their education by an experienced mentor.
You may feel that the ‘sink or swim’ mindset is appropriate in some circumstances, but broadly speaking, apprentices can’t be left to their own devices merely to discover if they’re motivated and self-driven enough to survive.
Before the job at The Portland Observer, I completed internships in several major newsrooms; some had this attitude. You were handed a computer and a notepad and told to prove you could produce a story.
I wouldn’t be writing this column if I couldn’t handle that challenge; however, I know many graduates who struggled, and the experience was brutal on their self-confidence. It sets up an emerging talent to fail.
The jewellery experts I spoke with had some interesting insights into the right personality type to mentor a young apprentice — but that’s also a story for another day.
So, with the above in mind, what do you think? Is your jewellery store the ideal environment for an apprentice to begin their career?
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