Veterans Watchmaker Initiative Inc
Training veterans changing outcomes
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Veterans Watchmaker Initiative addresses the need for employment training for disabled veterans returning from war. The VWI program addresses this area of concern by providing vocational training to disabled veterans at no charge to the student.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Watchmaker Course (14 Month)
The Watchmaker Program
The full Watchmaker Program will be 14 months in length (1840 hours) of intensive watch repair training.
When the student completes the program, they will be fully capable of making any repair to mechanical or quartz watches.
The student will have to satisfactorily complete competency tests as each new module is completed.
A comprehensive final exam will have to be passed in order to graduate from our program.
The students during the course will complete a school watch.
The following areas will be covered in detail in the Watchmaker Program.
Tools: their proper names, usage and maintenance
Micro Mechanics: making tools, annealing and heat treating
Introduction to Watch Theory and basic repair
Lathe and Turning
Staffing
Jeweling
Making parts to include stems, staffs and jewel settings
Escapements with emphasis on the Swiss Lever
Hairspring Manipulation and Vibration
Introduction to Quartz Watch Theory
Quartz Watch service and repair
Watch case restoration and repair
Case and bracelet service and repair
Calendar mechanisms and complications
Chronographs
Precision Timing
Business practices and issues
Watch Technician Program (6 Week Course)
The Watch Technician Program
The Watch Technician program is our short course.
The duration of the course is six (6) weeks (260 hrs.) of intensive training.
Upon successful completion of the program the student will be able to complete standard repairs on all types of quartz watches and allows the graduate to enter the job market as a quartz watch technician.
In this program each student must satisfactorily complete repairs on five test watches.
This skill set is perfect for a retail environment, working at a jewelry department’s service counter, or an independent contractor completing repairs offsite.
The following areas will be covered in the Watch Technician program.
Introduction to tools, proper usage and their maintenance
Introduction to quartz theory
Introduction to testing equipment
Electrical diagnosis and fault detection
Circuit board repair and replacement
Case opening / closing techniques
Cell replacement
Basic movement cleaning
Movement replacement
Gasket replacement
Stem, crown and case tube replacement
Crystal replacement
Waterproofing and use of associated testing equipment
Bracelet adjustments and strap replacement
Case and bracelet refinishing
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Delaware Department of Higher Education 2012
American watch and Clockmakers Institute 2022
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of clients passing job skill competency exams or assessments after completing course
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Watch Technician Program (6 Week Course)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
5 of the 6 technician passed the competency exams and will be moving on to the full program
Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Watchmaker Course (14 Month)
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients who complete job skills training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Watch Technician Program (6 Week Course)
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The program stresses strong technical skills and requires deep dexterity as a consequence to the level of skill required, sometime we lose a student. but develops confidence.
Number of clients still enrolled after the first week of training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Watch Technician Program (6 Week Course)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients who attain economic stability within two years of training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Related Program
Watchmaker Course (14 Month)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Students that graduate are employed in the field. The have gotten job offers and or have accepted a job offer
Our Sustainable Development Goals
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The goal is to provide free vocational training to disable and able bodied veterans. This training, when completed will provide a skill set that is marketable all over the world
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Veterans Watchmaker Initiative Inc. has created a specialized training school in Odessa Delaware specifically for the training of disabled veterans. Additionally, VWI has now acquired the housing component so students from across the country have a place to stay when training.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The new VWI facility can provide specialized skills training for six students at one time and with the planned expansion in the near future we will be able to train sixteen veterans at any given time.
Our new residence provides housing while training.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The VWI has been able to obtain through donation all the necessary equipment to start the vocational training. VWI has been able to negotiate a special lease with the New Castle County Delaware government for a facility for training. Total cost of facility $1.00 per year for the new 20 years. The veterans Watchmaker Initiative has started the training program as of September 12, 2017.
Our expanded facilities can now provide training and housing for nine students at a time.
Due to a major donation VWI has been able to purchase the property with a historic house next to our school. WE are currently raising funds for a full renovation of the home.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Veterans Watchmaker Initiative Inc
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2024
Mr. Samuel Cannan
Joe Borella
DRS Inc. (NYC)
Herb Konowitz
retired
Dave Skocik
PR Delaware
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No