Holts Academy wins Erasmus funding for European jewellery tutor exchange

Holts Academy has been offered a European school exchange and research programme for its teachers, thought to be the first of its kind for the jewellery industry.

Holts  will run the programme with two other well-known European jewellery schools: Hogeschule Trier University of Applied Sciences in Germany and Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Italy.

Funding for the exchange programme was awarded by Erasmus+, an EU programme for education, training, youth and sport, and will include conducting joint research, delivering workshops and sharing knowledge on new technologies and at-risk skills.

A special focus on stone cutting, rendering and technical abilities will characterise the initiative. The programme will also include joint exhibitions in Italy and Germany, ending with a final exhibition and publication launch in London in summer 2017.

Gabriel Gherscovic, CEO of Holts Academy said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to share and enhance our teaching methodologies and ensure that our delivery continues to meet changing industry needs. The experience will give our tutors further insights into teaching and learning jewellery skills in Europe and provide us the freedom to reflect and improve our offering to our learners who are the future employees, business owners and contributors to the industry.

“The research conducted during the programme will prove extremely valuable in our plan and aim to ensure the regeneration of skills that risk dying in the trade.”