Summary

A middle-aged woman's inspiring journey of starting a vocational training as a machine and plant operator at 52, her subsequent job loss due to the Corona pandemic, and her reflections on the experience.

Abstract

The web content narrates the story of a woman who, at the age of 52, embarked on a vocational training program to become a machine and plant operator, a decision initially suggested by her local job center. Despite challenges such as commuting and academic difficulties, she successfully completed her training, feeling empowered and hopeful for a secure job until retirement. However, after initially securing employment through a temporary agency and later directly with a company, her contract was not renewed due to alleged lack of orders during the Corona pandemic, despite her exemplary work performance and the hiring of younger temporary staff. This unexpected turn of events led to a period of unemployment, health issues, and a shift in her professional aspirations. Eventually, she found another job through an agency, but the experience left her with a sense of uncertainty and a more pragmatic approach to future employment.

Opinions

The protagonist views her decision to pursue vocational training as brave and necessary for her career, reflecting a positive attitude towards lifelong learning and self-improvement.
She initially felt excited and supported by her family when she started her training, which helped her overcome fears about the physical demands and academic challenges of returning to school.
The protagonist expected vocational training to lead to a permanent job and was proud to have her skills officially recognized, which boosted her self-confidence.
The joy of passing her exams and being valued at work was significant, highlighting the importance of recognition and job satisfaction.
The disappointment and shock of not being offered a permanent position after years of dedicated service, including working overtime and Saturdays, were profound, leading to stress-induced health issues.
The protagonist feels that the employment system, with its reliance on temporary contracts and lack of job security, is deeply flawed and detrimental to employees' well-being and long-term planning.
Despite her negative experience, she would choose to undergo the training again, emphasizing the intrinsic value of education and the financial security it can provide.
She advocates for societal and political changes, such as the reintroduction of permanent contracts after a probationary period and better protection of employees' rights, to address the issues of job insecurity and the challenges faced by older workers.
Her advice to others is to continuously pursue education and training, as the qualifications gained are invaluable and cannot be taken away.

SOCIETY | CAREER | MOTHERHOOD

My Mom Started Vocational Training When She Was 52 and 5 Years Later She Lost Her Job

Is 50 too old to start a career? This is a question that especially women often have to ask themselves after sacrificing their best decades for their families.

photo of my mom with my stepfather; the photo took my grandpa; all people involved gave me permission to use it for this story.

When my mom was 52 years old, which was about 6 years ago, she had amazing news for us.

She was going to train as a machine and plant operator in the field of metal!

My mom gave birth to me very young, she was 19 at the time, and so it happened that she was still without any apprenticeship.

But that she then had the courage to make this new start at the age of 52, I think is very brave and admirable!

Yesterday we met for a cup of coffee and talked a little bit about it.

Interview Part I

Insight into the workbook from my mom’s training; photo by the author

How did you get the idea to do an apprenticeship? And why, of all things, a machine and plant operator?

“The suggestion to do vocational training came from the job center at the time, which was funny! Because I had already expressed an interest in it years ago, and at that time they thought it wouldn’t be worth it at my age.

The profession of machine and plant operator seemed to me to be a solid basic training. In addition, I had already gained professional experience in the metal industry over the previous years.”

How did you feel about the decision? Were you excited? And did you have any fears or doubts?

“I was worried that it would be too physically demanding. But in general, I was really looking forward to the training.”

How did your family react after you made the decision?

“My husband thought it was great and was proud of me! In general, I felt supported.”

What did you expect from the vocational training?

“I hoped for a permanent employment contract until retirement. And of course, I also wanted to have my skills documented in black and white.”

What was it like for you to go back to school? What was particularly easy for you? And did you have any problems somewhere?

“I had problems with math! Especially when it was subject-specific. Some knowledge of physics was also required.

On the other hand, economics and social studies were very easy. I had no difficulties at all here.

I got along great with my classmates at the training center! There were trainees of all ages.

The only thing that sucked was the daily drive to the training center. 40 km there and 40 km back. And I always had to leave very early because otherwise I would get caught in rush hour traffic, which would have meant traffic jams on the highway.”

Is there a moment or situation that you remember with particular delight?

“When I passed my exam!

I usually suffer from exam anxiety and that day was no different. I was afraid I would black out and forget everything when it was time.

Fortunately, however, everything went well!!! I was even one of the first to finish. That was a load off my mind and I was so happy! In fact — I could have even jumped for joy!”

Interview Part II

About 2 years later, my mother’s training was completed. I asked her what happened to her career after that.

She told me that her first employment contract was with a temporary employment agency.

Unfortunately, this is now common. Companies hardly hire employees directly anymore without having worked in the company through an agency before.

Also, I can hear my mother proudly saying that her hourly wage was now set higher based solely on the fact that she was now “a full-blown skilled worker”!

She was lucky! At least that’s how it seemed.

For one year she worked through the agency in a local company that manufactures positioners and valves. And after this first year, she then received a contract directly from the company!

Again, the joy was great! The fact that the contract was temporary didn’t bother her at all, because that is also standard nowadays in the working industry.

By law, companies are obliged to hire the employee for an unlimited period of time after 2 years if they still want to employ them. My mom had already been with the company for over 3 years at that point if you include the time through the agency.

Now it was all or nothing!

My mom had firmly expected a permanent position. The shock was all the greater when she was told 6 weeks before her contract expired that there would be no further contract.

The reason given was a lack of orders due to the Corona pandemic. A welcome excuse — if you ignore the fact that there was plenty of work!

In addition, new (younger) employees were hired at the same time. Again, of course, on a temporary basis.

“When I received the bad news, it was a big shock for me.

I had firmly expected to be taken on. Everyone had always been very happy with my work.

In fact, I had worked my ass off for the company. I worked Saturdays and overtime whenever there was a need!

To be simply “dumped” in this way was like having the rug pulled out from under me. I was at the end of my rope.

With the stress came migraine attacks, which I had actually gotten under control in recent years. I was then on sick leave during these last weeks.

After this experience, I resigned. All the ambitions I had before, I lost. If I were to work somewhere again, I would just do my job. No more and no less.”

After 8 months of unemployment, my mom got a job again through a temporary employment agency. Since June of this year, she has a standard temporary contract with the company where she works.

Conclusion of the Interview

If you could go back in time, would you still choose the apprenticeship again?

“Yes, definitely!

I’m always happy when I can learn something new. It boosts my self-confidence. In addition, the qualifications still serve to provide financial security.”

What would you like to see from society and the government or politics? What should change?

“Companies should hire people after the probationary period, as it used to be! And not make fixed-term contracts last for years.

In the case of a fixed-term contract, the employment contract ends automatically, employers don’t even have to give reasons for the termination, which is very problematic.”

“Because this condition leads to years of uncertainty for the employee.”

“It affects, for example, vacations. My current contract runs until the end of May. That means I’m only entitled to vacation days for 5 months in 2023. That’s no way to plan a summer vacation!

And I often work despite having pain because I don’t want to or can’t take a sick leave. Absences often lead to an employment contract not being extended.

In general, as an employee, it is difficult to enforce one’s rights if the employment contract can always end within a few months.

This state of uncertainty is basically unacceptable.”

What other personal advice would you like to give the reader?

“Learning something new always pays off!”

“Take all the training and courses that are offered to you! Because no one can take these qualifications ever away from you.”