SKILLS
Take the time to learn about clock making
The British Horological Institute (BHI), a renowned and historic worldwide membership organisation, exists to educate and train horologists – and has been doing so for over 150 years. Here, the BHI looks at how and why learning this niche skill is more popular now than ever before.
Horology is one of those strange words - if you don’t know the meaning, you move on with the conversation quickly. What it does mean, is the conservation, repair and constructing of clocks and watches. The British Horological Institute
has been training people this skill since 1858. Currently based at the beautiful Upton Hall near Newark, (previously in Northampton Square, London until 1972) unbeknown to many, horological students of all ages ranging from complete novices to experts in their field visit the British Horological Institute on a regular basis from all corners of the world to take part in our courses. Until last year we could be
construed as having been secretive, although not in reality, but horology is a small niche industry within which the BHI is held in high esteem. Over the past 18 months or so
there has been a huge influx of interest in the trade with student numbers attending the hall rising by a staggering 40%. How? Why? Simple - as with all
product-based business, our face to the world is the website;
www.bhi.co.uk. It was dull and colourless, four grey and black squares for the front page, hardly awe-inspiring or even interesting. It is now bold, interesting,
straightforward and welcoming, and updated on a regular basis. It has a story to tell - how to start your career, our courses, how to become a member and receive our monthly journal, examinations and how to
learn by purchasing our distance learning course. The number of hits too has risen dramatically. On top of this, we have a
professional design team producing quality informative brochures and in the past year we have increased the institute’s visibility by pitching up at county shows, fairs and other events, giving us an opportunity to engage with the public – the same
The BHI has been training people in clock and watch skills since 1858
Upton Hall houses a learning facility and the Museum of Timekeeping
public that may have never considered getting involved in this fascinating hobby or even business. Not only is there a learning
facility at Upton Hall, but it also houses The Museum of Timekeeping, a huge collection of clocks and watches. But our core business remains
the training of watch and clockmakers. Whether you are an absolute beginner or already within the industry, we offer onsite training at all levels, from taster days to fully-accredited training leading to EAL-accredited examinations and these can be achieved by a mixture of courses at the hall and a distance learning course. Without a doubt it has been the
new taster days which have revitalised the BHI. Some use these to visit us for a day out, and some have gone on to join and take further training. We are a membership
organisation open to all. Many may think of the BHI as old men with bushy eyebrows and white coats; the reality is nothing like that. Horologists are generally known for a sense of humour, though we do wear white coats from time to time!
60 business network July/August 2018
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