Our schools & academia

To make sure that we can support our business and grow in the long-term, it is essential we develop and retain talents. Preserving special craftsmanship techniques, that require expert-level skills and hard to acquire experience is a key area of focus for the Group and we offer a comprehensive range of learning opportunities dedicated to the transmission of know-how in the design and creation of watches, jewellery, fashion and leather goods. Our extensive apprenticeship program combines on-the-job training within our Maisons with learning at a vocational school. Richemont has also founded several of its own schools as a means of developing and passing on exceptional skills to future generations, as well as investing in partnerships with the finest design schools and leading institutions around the world.

Creative Academy

Milan

Founded in 2003, Creative Academy is Richemont’s corporate school that selects, nurtures and prepares young creative talents for the design of luxury jewellery, watches and fashion accessories. Each year twenty of the world’s most promising design students from the best schools around the world are selected to complete a Master of Arts in Design and Applied Arts.

Taught by leading experts in the world of luxury product design, the Academy is a creative laboratory uniquely enriched by a faculty of renowned professionals, Richemont CEOs and Creative Directors from Richemont Maisons. The Master lasts ten months, seven months at Creative Academy in Milan (January-July), followed by a three-month internship granted to the most deserving students in one of the Richemont Maisons design studios (September-November). Hands-on experience is at the heart of the programme, with students benefitting from working on real-life design projects coached by Richemont Maisons' Creative Directors.

Conceived as a bridge between theory and professional practice, the mission of Creative Academy is to offer our students the know-how they need to respond to the constantly evolving demands of the luxury sector.

In 2023, the Creative Academy proudly celebrates its 20th Anniversary. During the last two decades, the School has been paving the way for successful careers, with many of the School’s Alumni currently contributing to the future of the Richemont Maisons.

L’Ecole des Arts Joailliers

Paris - Hong Kong SAR - Shanghai

Established in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, l'École des Arts Joailliers is the first school to share the secrets of the jewellery world with a large and varied audience, in France and abroad. Offering initiation courses with hands-on experience on an “à la carte” basis, in French and English, it is for all those who want to learn and become an enlightened amateur. Participants from all countries can sign up for one or more courses, among three themes: Art History of Jewellery, Universe of Gemstones and “Savoir-Faire”.

L'École also offers evening conferences and creative workshops specially designed for children and teenagers.

Ecole des Métiers et Artisans de Haute Horlogerie

Geneva

The Ecole des Métiers et Artisans de Haute Horlogerie, the cornerstone of the Geneva Fine Watchmaking Campus, is a place dedicated to the transmission of knowledge and know-how in watchmaking. The School organises, coordinates and creates a multitude of training courses to ensure the sustainability of the profession and its expertise.

The Ecole des Métiers et Artisans de Haute Horlogerie currently offers certified introductory training courses (AFP, CFC et Certif. CP post CFC) in the technical fields of watchmaking and art crafts.

In addition to introductory sessions in the watchmaking arts, advanced courses, seminars, as well as assessments and certifications of skills in the technical and artistic fields are available or can be developed specifically on request.

For more information, to apply for an apprenticeship or any other specific request, please send an e-mail to:

Institut Horlogerie Cartier

La Chaux-de-Fonds

In 1992, Cartier founded the Institut Horlogerie Cartier (IHC) in order to develop innovative watchmaking techniques and pass on exceptional skills to future generations.

The IHC trains apprentices in areas such as watchmaking and micromechanics and provides experienced craftsmen with a range of training courses allowing them to perfect and update their skills and expertise. Currently the training centre has 3 professional trainers for 20 apprenticeship places and also provides a wide range of technical training to Cartier Horlogerie employees.

For more than 28 years, the Institute has promoted, preserved and perpetuated watchmaking know-how.

Institut Joaillerie Cartier

Paris

Cartier opened its Jewellery Institute in 2002 with a commitment to the transmission and preservation of jewellery know-how and the development of new skills and techniques. Consistent with the Maison's tradition of excellence, the Institute promotes craftsmanship and provides continuous training through privileged relationships with educational establishments. Nearly 500 craftsmen, salespeople, and Haute Joaillerie clients are welcomed into the Institute’s programmes each year. In addition, Cartier supports the influence of French know-how through its patronage of the Association des Ateliers des Maîtres d'Art.

Institute of Swiss Watchmaking

Hong Kong SAR, Shanghai and Dallas

To fulfil the increasing demand for the servicing of Swiss watches outside Europe, the Institute of Swiss Watchmaking was founded in 2009 to develop highly skilled watchmaking specialists. From micromechanics to complications adjustments in watchmaking, the Institute, in partnership with WOSTEP (Watchmakers Of Switzerland Training and Educational Programme), offers a quality label of international watchmaking training. The support of the Richemont Maisons combined with the student-centred learning environment gives graduates a distinct advantage in the job market.

For more information, to apply for an apprenticeship or any other specific request, please send an e-mail to:

 Retail Academy

Hong Kong SAR, Shanghai and North America

The Richemont Retail Academy was launched initially in Shanghai in 2011, then in Hong Kong SAR, China in 2019 and New York in 2020. The Academy aims to enable our retail talent to achieve retail excellence and develop a rewarding career path by sharing best sales practice, techniques and mindset.

CEMS

Founded in 1988, CEMS, the Global Alliance in Management Education, is an alliance of 34 academic and corporate institutions dedicated to educating and preparing future generations of international business leaders. The CEMS academic and corporate members work collectively to develop knowledge and provide education essential in the multilingual, multicultural and interconnected business world. CEMS is recognised as a unique global community comprising the world's finest students, schools, alumni, corporate and social partners, delivering the leading international Master's in Management (MiM) that prepares responsible leaders to contribute to a more open, sustainable, and inclusive world. CEMS Corporate Partnership is an exclusive academic-corporate partnership based on Corporate Partners contributing to the Alliance and its MIM programme and benefitting from privileged access to a global pool of top talent from the world's leading business schools. Richemont is one of the 70 world-renowned companies supporting the alliance as Corporate Partners actively engaging with CEMS students on various fronts, such as business projects, seminars, and internship opportunities. Cartier has been partnering with CEMS for three consecutive years, specifically through the Master’s programme in international management, launching more than 30 business challenges with the students each year.

E4S

The Enterprise for Society Center (E4S) is a joint initiative from 3 institutions of renowned excellence: the University of Lausanne through its Faculty of Business and Economics (UNIL-HEC), the Institute for Management Development (IMD) and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), under the stewardship of its College of Management of Technology. The center's mission is to spearhead the transition towards a resilient, sustainable and inclusive economy by training the next generation of leaders, inspiring economic and social transformation and activating change by strengthening start-ups and boosting innovation. Richemont proudly supports and sponsors the two-year Master program in Sustainable Management & Technology, which aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge to create value for their organisations and society.

École Hôtelière de Lausanne

For more than 125 years, École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) has set the standard of Swiss hospitality education excellence and prepared its students to lead the future of the industry and the world. The EHL Group offers leading academic programmes, including internships and Master’s degrees, across three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. In addition, a wide variety of collaborative opportunities with international companies are made available for EHL students. Richemont and EHL established a partnership in 2022 that aims to engage with the next generation of students passionate about the luxury industry and leverage one of the global references in education and innovation for hospitality management and client centricity.

Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Lausanne

In 2014, Richemont and the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a world-leading institution for science and technology, created an academic chair in “Multi-scale Manufacturing Technologies.” Recognised among the world’s top Engineering and Technology institutions, EPFL is renowned for its leading innovation ecosystem, bringing together startups, forward thinking companies and leading academics. The Richemont Chair funded the recruitment of a Professor to work at EPFL’s Neuchâtel Microcity Campus, home to its Institute of Microengineering.

By investing in this high-potential sector, Richemont reinforces the Group’s commitment to driving research and innovation through an integrated platform of the latest manufacturing technologies to benefit the high-precision watchmaking industry.

Multi-scale manufacturing combines disruptive technologies to produce high quality parts on any scale and at any level of precision. The integration of these new technologies in production will reinforce Switzerland’s leadership position in high-precision industries and high-end watchmaking. In particular, it will improve the performance and quality of watches, allowing for the use of new materials and enabling the fabrication of the most complex components.

École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris & École des Hautes Etudes Commerciale de Paris

In January 2021, Cartier partnered with two of Europe’s leading business schools, the ESCP Business School and HEC Paris, to inaugurate a new research Chair with the purpose of sharing a research culture and helping tackle current and future turning points in business practice and societal impact. The instituted Chair, titled “Turning Points – Aspiration to Inspiration”, represents a unique joint venture underpinned by cutting-edge academic insights, extensive cultural reach, and inspirational leadership. Moreover, it provides a collaborative learning lab for Cartier and the school student communities by gathering various stakeholders in a modern think tank and foster meaningful dialogue on topics such as sustainability and generation Z behaviours, aiming to create concrete positive impacts.

École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales

The École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (ESSEC) is recognised as a pioneer within both academia and the luxury industry, known for its entrepreneurial spirit and standards of excellence. As part of its Global MBA Luxury Brand Management major, ESSEC has selectively partnered with leading companies, including Cartier, Chloé, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels and YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP. This respected degree offers students the opportunity to visit luxury houses and foundations during its Savoir-Faire events.

In 2016, Van Cleef & Arpels helped launch and commited to the ESSEC Savoir-Faire d’Exception Chair, which aims to deepen the appreciation and knowledge of fine jewellery and watchmaking amongst artisans, entrepreneurs, investors and managers. The Chair intends to support the education of twenty young craftsmen and women annually and develop academic research programmes, in close collaboration with its partners and associated institutions, including the Château de Versailles.

École Technique de la Vallée de Joux

The École Technique de la Vallée de Joux (ETVJ) is renowned for its high level of technical and artisanal achievements in the world of watchmaking and jewellery. The school aims to transmit the passion, motivation and skills of the watchmaking and jewellery industries from teach to student through its overarching mission: to offer the highest quality of vocational training to students, in industrial and craft professions, resulting in the attainment of the certificat fédéral de capacité (CFC) through the school or within the framework of a dual apprenticeship in a company. Richemont through Jaeger-LeCoultre has a long-term partnership with ETVJ, welcoming the school’s students into its manufactures and workshops. In 2021, a new craftsmanship centre was inaugurated to welcome young talents interested in various disciplines, including watchmaking, micro-engineering, and quality control.

Haute École de Joaillerie

Founded as the world’s first international training centre in the jewellery and gemology sectors in 1867, the Haute École de Joaillerie unites four scholastic departments to develop the skills and passions of budding jewellery apprentices. Certified ISO 9001, the school offers courses where students can strengthen their Savoir-Faire with traditional methods and contemporary technology. The core values of the Haute École de Joaillerie - passion, contribution, creation, quality, dynamism, innovation, and openness - blend to pass down the know-how and legacy of the school from generation to generation.

The Haute École de Joaillerie is sponsored by several luxury players, including Cartier, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels, who partake in educational projects and promote the integration of young talents. Our involved Maisons helped develop the Bachelor Design Bijou in 2016, a Bachelor programme organised around creative workshops, company internships, and school exchanges.

International Institute for Management Development

IMD is a Swiss, independent academic institution with campuses in Lausanne and Singapore. For more than 75 years, IMD’s expert faculty has been developing leaders to transform organisations and contribute to society. IMD has been ranked in the top three of the FT’s Executive Education Rankings (combined ranking for open & custom programs) since 2012.

Richemont‘s longstanding partnership with IMD started in 2012, first working with the senior executives at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Since then, Richemont has launched several tailor-made programmes with IMD on various topics, from Digital Transformation in partnership with the IMD Global Center for Digital Business Transformation, to an executive leadership programme to equip senior leaders with high performance leadership skills and capabilities. Most recently, Richemont has been working together with IMD’s Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Business on further embedding sustainability at the heart of the business by rolling out bespoke trainings across the Group and its Maisons.

Institut Français de la Mode

Institut Français de la Mode is a higher education institution, a training center for apprentices, a provider of executive education, as well as a center of expertise for the textiles, fashion and luxury industries. This visionary fashion school nurtures international talents in the fields of design, management, and craftsmanship in the heart of Paris, France on a state-of-the-art campus featuring studios, workshops, fablab, DIY, knit and leather workshops and a photo studio. Since 2019, Institut Français de la Mode brings together Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, founded in 1927 and recognized for the excellence of its training in couture savoir-faire, and IFM, founded in 1986 and a pioneer in fashion management education.

The IFM builds influential relationships with leading companies to ensure that the realities of the fashion industry are tangible and reflected in its work. Richemont sits on the IFM Board of Administration, supporting the school’s vision and young talents.

Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Management

Launched in 2012, Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Management (QTEM) is a global network of students, international corporations, and 24 academic institutions, aiming to support decision-making in an international context through analytical and quantitative techniques. Its vision is to become the leading global network of internal leaders who use analytics to create a better world. The school offers several modules and focuses on three core values- academic excellence, business and policy relevance, and internal partnership. Richemont through Cartier is supporting QTEM to attract profiles with strong analytical skills and bring new skills to talent pipelines. The new partnership, signed in 2022, was initiated with a challenge that tasked 90 students to provide a detailed analysis of client consumption patterns.

Scuola Orafa Ambrosiana

Spread across the flourishing city of Milan, the Scuola Orafa Ambrosiana (SOA) was established to train jewellery professionals and enthusiasts. Founded in 1995, the school offers over 100 interactive courses that cover four specialisations- chiselling, engraving, goldsmithing, and microscopic setting.

Behind the secret of its success, the SOA partners with the most influential companies in the jewellery and fashion sectors, guaranteeing a tailored and cutting-edge educational experience that fosters talent. From 2023, SOA has joined forces with Buccellati to offer a specialised programme, the Buccellati Path, to 12 selected students every year within a Buccellati office, at one of its Partners or within one of the companies of Richemont, to which Buccellati belongs. To support Renaissance art crafts amidst young generations, the Buccellati Path consists of 10 courses that fuse practical and theoretical teachings. Top students are incentivised to succeed and attain a scholarship or contract proposal, as well as a Master’s Diploma in Goldsmith Arts.

SDA Bocconi School of Management

Established approximately 50 years ago, the SDA Bocconi School of Management was created to bridge business excellence and education. The school now has decades of experience on programmes in the luxury, fashion, and design sectors. For the past three years, Cartier has fostered an exclusive partnership with SDA Bocconi through EMiLUX - the Executive Master in Luxury Management. The respected Master offers modules globally, including in Milan, a leading cultural centre for fashion. This international dimension allows students to understand different realities in the luxury industry and to regularly exchange experiences. The EMiLUX collaboration has conceived an entire module entitled “Crafting Brands through Arts and Culture”, which explores the topics of values, heritage, hard luxury, brand management, communication, and semiotics.

In addition, the SDA Bocconi’s Master in Fashion, Experience and Design Management has benefitted from specialist lectures hosted by YOOX NET-A-PORTER members since 2017. Leveraging YOOX NET-A-PORTER’s leading industry experience and innovative practice, the course provides graduates with the appropriate digital skills for entering the worlds of luxury and fashion.

Sciences Po

Sciences Po is an international research university ranked among the finest institutes in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Its mission is to train the economic actors of tomorrow, people who are able to use their creativity and entrepreneurial vision to transform companies and rethink their role in society with a view to the common good. The university offers many prestigious degrees, several of which are accompanied and supported by prominent companies in the luxury industry. Richemont sponsors the Master in New Luxury & Art de Vivre, a two-year degree that aspires to deliver marketing specialists in the luxury industry an excellent knowledge of the sociological and cultural aspects of luxury and a deep understanding of the issues of sustainability and responsibility. Together, Sciences Po and Richemont explore the codes of luxury and foster a collaborative ecosystem in which students are given unique opportunities to strengthen their skills and passion within the world of luxury.