The upcoming start schedule for the Certified Watchmaking Course (3,000-Hour WOSTEP Program) at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking is:

• The Class of 2017 Starts January 6, 2016 
• The Class of 2018 Strats January 4, 2017
• The class of 2019 starts January 3, 2018
  
  

The upcoming start schedule for the Encasing Technician Course at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking is :

• No courses scheduled for 2015. This FAQ will be updated when the next course becomes available.
• If you apply for the course through our Application Form, you will be notified when the next course becomes available.

Applications for the Certified Watchmaking Course and the Encasing Technician Course are accepted year-round. Your application will be applied to the next course with available seats.

Prestigious Watch Brands scholarship each student with the full amount of tuition, fees, tools, and supplies necessary to complete the program which provides the student with an opportunity for career training at no cost except room and board.

Prestigious Watch Brands scholarship each student with the full amount of tuition, fees, tools, and supplies necessary to complete the program which provides the student with an opportunity for career training at no cost except room and board.

In order to provide a low student to teacher ratio, the modern classrooms of the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking are equipped for 8 students per class. This provides each student with a wealth of individual attention from faculty resources.

Currently, all courses at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking are taught in English. This FAQ will be updated when the offerings expand.

Students at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking are expected to have both conversational and written skills in English to a minimum 8th grade level and are tested prior to acceptance into the program.

The North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking requires a high school diploma and at least 3 years working, military, or job experience, which equates to a minimum age of 21 years in most cases. There is no upper age qualification.

The North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking’s mission to increase the number of qualified, highly skilled watchmakers in North America precludes continuing education courses.

All candidates are carefully and objectively screened for their ability to be successful in the program in which they are enrolled and also for their ability to adapt to the culture of the working environment.

It should be noted that both the Certified Watchmaking Course and the Encasing Technician Course are designed for students with no previous experience in repairing or servicing watches

The following documentation is required of each applicant for the Certified Watchmaking Course and the Encasing Technician Course: (Please Note: the school representative will request the appropriate documentation during the various phases of the application process)

• Completed Application form www.iosw.com/school-dallas/how-to-apply/application-form (this initiates contact from our school representative and is mandatory to begin the application process)
• Letter of Recommendation from a non-family member
• Essay answering the question, “Why I am committed to becoming a watchmaker” (approximately 300 words)
• Résumé (working history – if available)
• High school/college transcripts
• Military discharge form or current duty/assignment papers
• Document for criminal background check
• Signed receipt acknowledging tour of school and facilities
• Signed agreement to maintain medical insurance for duration of enrolment
• Signed agreement allowing the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking to use images and quotes of student for the purposes of promotion for a minimum period of seven (7) years
• Signed acknowledgement of receipt and understanding of the Student Handbook including class rules
• Signed Enrolment Agreement
• Completed “Receipt of Enrolment Policies” document
• Completed “Record of Previous Education and Training” document

Briefly, the selection procedure consists of:

• Verifying applicant’s qualifications by reviewing documentation and submissions (questionnaire, phone interview, online exam, essay, letter of recommendation, etc…)
• Invitation of qualified applicants to scheduled “Career Assessment Day” activity where applicant will undergo:
  o Mechanical comprehension exam (computer)
  o Core abilities exam (computer)
  o Interview by members of selection committee
  o Bench test (classroom exercises)
• Passing a background check common to our industry

Equal Opportunity Admissions Policy: The North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to all students and applicants for admission. All admission decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in a uniformed service, sexual orientation, protected activity as defined by applicable law, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Admission decisions, subject to the legitimate business requirements of the Institute are based solely on an individual’s qualifications, merit, and performance. No official of the Institute is authorized to act in a manner contrary to this commitment to equal opportunity.

Lodging is the sole responsibility of the student

Attendance is mandatory – eligibility to sit for the WOSTEP intermediate and final examinations include a minimum number of classroom contact hours

Please refer to the program schedule on our web site at http://www.iosw.com/school-dallas/the-school/programs-naiosw

Successful applicants have:

• Steady hands
• Good eyesight
• Ability to follow instructions
• A professional demeanour at all times
• A background free of criminal activity
• A thorough understanding of basic physical principles
• Basic Math and English skills
• Teamwork skills

The faculty of the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking endeavors to provide each student with the personal and professional resources for a successful career in the profession of watchmaking.

The culture of the classrooms at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking is a student centered learning environment focused very strongly on strict adherence to the WOSTEP standard and ever striving to increase the technical and professional level of graduates in the United States.

We teach for understanding, not just for knowledge.

Currently, the Encasing Technician Course is exclusively available at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking.

Our web site is the official source of information about our educational facility and course offerings. The secretary’s office at the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) is available for any further requests.

The Certified Watchmaking Course (3,000-Hour WOSTEP program) begins a new class annually.

The Encasing Technician Course is currently scheduled to take place as demand dictates. The FAQ will be updated as more information becomes available.

North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking
15100 Trinity Blvd #300
Fort Worth, TX 76155
817-785-2420 voice
817-758-2389 fax
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please follow the link to WOSTEP’s web site for more information:
http://www.wostep.ch

WOSTEP is the world leader in watchmaker education which gives our successful graduates a significant advantage when applying for a job anywhere in the world. Your WOSTEP certification combined with your North American diploma provides maximum options for employment toward a successful career.