... and onward marches the skills shortage : ceterum censeo

Antwerp's diamond polishers are ageing and new blood is needed. So much so, that the local diamond industry is offering free polishing courses. Demand for experienced diamond polishers is increasing. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) estimates that there will be 55 job openings over the next two years. To address this shortcoming, the Antwerp diamond industry is organising a free course in diamond polishing, to be held in September, which will cover the basic polishing skills. Several local diamond companies support the project. Each company will take under its wing one of the students and closely follow their development. The companies also committing to hiring their apprentices after the course concludes. This course stems from the 'Antwerp Diamond Master Plan - Project 2020' and is an initiative from HRD Antwerp, Fonds voor de Diamantnijverheid [Diamond Industry Fund] and AWDC.