Training company of the year

The Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce has named A. Lange & Söhne "Training Company of the Year". This is an award that has been presented every year since 2023 to outstanding training companies in the region that demonstrate above-average training performance in dual vocational training. At the award ceremony on 11 March 2025, A. Lange & Söhne was honoured by those responsible at the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the multifaceted commitment that the Glashütte manufacture shows to its current 48 trainees. In his speech of thanks, Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid emphasised that the company is proud to be training apprentices in a craft that is rooted in tradition on the one hand and offers attractive opportunities for the future on the other.

A. Lange & Söhne has already been honoured several times by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Among other things, the manufacture has been awarded the title of "Excellent Training Company" five times. In 2014, 2018 and 2021, also a Lange graduate was honoured as the best watchmaker apprentice in Germany.

According to Wilhelm Schmid, successes like these are primarily due to the dedicated team of trainers: "In order to lead our art of fine watchmaking into the future, we rely on people who share our passion. It is therefore our great responsibility to invest in the recruitment and training of top talent. Since 1997, we have made it our mission to prepare dedicated young people for the profession and thus secure the next generation of skilled professionals. Since then, 263 young people have completed their training with us. The fact that most of our graduates are still working for us is testament not only to the quality of our training, but also to the future opportunities associated with our traditional craftsmanship."

In addition to watchmakers, A. Lange & Söhne also trains toolmakers, cutting machine operators, office managers, IT specialists and warehouse logistics specialists. In connection with these varied training opportunities, the manufacture offers numerous programmes and projects:

For interested parties

• Internships in all training occupations, spread over the year
• Once a year the "Open Training Day" provides an insight into the training workshops and classrooms of the “Walter Lange Training and Further Education Centre”
• Regional career guidance events at education fairs and in schools (approx. 25 events per year, with an upward trend), "Schau rein Sachsen" (Look inside, Saxony) from 18 to 20 March 2025
• Monthly offer "90 MINUTES FOR YOUR FUTURE", which informs pupils and parents after work about training opportunities; registration is possible on the Lange website

For trainees

• Training allowance above the standard pay scale and other additional benefits, including massages, health action days and online counselling on mental health, payment of sports clubs, Christmas party, membership fees, equal treatment of  permanent employees and trainees for all additional benefits
• Welcome event with parents before the official start of training and "Welcome Day" on the first day
• Excursions to Prague, Hamburg and support for a school trip organised by the educational institution (Black Forest, Switzerland), other stays abroad are also possible
• Regular insights into the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments to discover the roots of Saxon fine watchmaking
• Going beyond the curriculum, the realisation of an own practical project such as the construction of a table clock
• Lange-supported voluntary work of two master watchmakers employed in the IHK examination system
• Support for master craftsman training for talented individuals
• Opportunity to take part in the international "Cartier Prize for Watchmaking Talents of Tomorrow" competition in the third year of the apprenticeship

Cooperations

• Intensive cooperation with the vocational school in Glashütte as part of a cooperation agreement, specifically the support of trainees in full-time school education through internships and part-time work
• Partnership with the "Dresden Palucca University of Dance" as part of the "Lebens-Zeit-lebens" exchange programme
• Long-standing exchange with the Danish watchmaking school Ringsted

Facts and figures 2025:

• Since 2022, the Lange training centre has borne the name of the company founder "Walter Lange Training and Further Education Centre".
• Lange is currently training 48 apprentices in six professions: Watchmaker, toolmaker, cutting machine operator, skilled worker for warehouse logistics, IT specialist for system integration and office managers for human resources and controlling.
• Since 1997, 263 young people have successfully learnt a trade.

Further information:
https://www.alange-soehne.com/eu-de/manufacture/company/careers/apprenticeships