History

In response to a need expressed by members of the jewellery field, jewellers Madeleine Dansereau and Armand Brochard founded, in the 1970s, Quebec’s very first jewellery school. Their school, which was originally named the Atelier de joaillerie, evolved into the École de joaillerie et de métaux d’art de Montréal (ÉJMAM). At ÉJMAM, students were introduced to jewellery techniques as well as gemology, lapidary art, and design.

In 1989, the Ministère de l’Éducation introduced a technical program in fine crafts, leading to a college diploma (DEC). The Cégep du Vieux Montréal, which offered the program for Western Québec, invited the EJMAM to develop a partnership and to take charge of specific training for the jewellery section. In 1992, the first graduates from the jewellery section entered the market. To date, there are more than two hundred and fifty of them.

After a temporary shutdown in 1996, the School resumed its activities in 1998 under the aegis of a new administration that set up a brand new organization. The École de joaillerie de Montréal thus became a non-profit organization, incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act.

In addition to the college program, the École de joaillerie de Montréal offers individual and group masterclasses to jewellers, as well as a complete basic jewellery techniques program.

Finally, in order to support the professional community and its diverse student body, the School provides access to its studios and equipment: studio and equipment rental, open studio hours for schoolwork, technical assistance, information and advice, research projects, special projects, professional development scholarships, and a resource centre.

ÉJM is recognized as a private educational institution by both the federal and provincial governments and also holds an accreditation as a training centre recognized by Emploi Québec, thus allowing it to offer corporate training. On behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, ÉJM also provides the evaluation of applications for skill recognition to obtain tax credits for fashion design