Scholarships for JA Bench Jeweler Certification

Jewelers of America (JA) has announced that wholesale supplier Southeastern Findings Inc., will sponsor ten JA Bench Jeweler Certification scholarships, totaling $7,500, in 2008. The program sets industry-wide standards for evaluating a bench jeweler’s talent.

The scholarships demonstrate Southeastern Findings’ commitment to serving the manufacturing jeweler, by supporting a program that promotes the talent and career development of bench jewelers, JA said in a release.

“Southeastern Findings is excited to be able to help bench jewelers achieve JA Bench Jeweler Certification, which is an instantly recognized description of value,” says Gene Callaway, Southeastern Findings president. “We realize it is important to distinguish the quality and talent of professional bench jewelers.”

The JA Bench Jeweler Certification program is open to all bench jewelers. It resulted in a system that clearly communicates skill level to an employer, colleague or customer. Certified bench jewelers are acknowledged as professional leaders in their field and can use their certified skills to differentiate their stores’ services from competitors.

The ten scholarships will be available for three of the four levels of JA Bench Jeweler Certification: JA Certified Bench Jeweler (CBJ), JA Certified Senior Bench Jeweler (CSBJ) and JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler (CMBJ).

Southeastern Findings, based in Atlanta, GA, will grant scholarships to an individual from each of the following eight Southern states: Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia and Kentucky. Two additional scholarships will be granted “at-large” to individuals from two other states.

The Southeastern Findings JA Bench Jeweler Certification Scholarships complement JA’s existing scholarship program for employees of JA-member stores, which are applicable toward many industry educational courses.