«Doing my thing»
I tell
agricultural machinery mechanic in her first year of training. At the beginning of her search for an apprenticeship, she received many rejections, «perhaps because I'm a woman».
"My father told me to write down ten professions that I would like. I quickly cancelled some of them, but I tried out others. I fancied a creative job such as florist, dressmaker or advertising technician. I ride motocross, so I was also interested in motorbike and car mechanics.
The job of an agricultural machinery mechanic is more varied and you do even more by hand than on motorbikes and cars. The opportunities for further training are also better. The fact that we live right next to the farm that my uncle runs probably also had an influence.
I sent out a lot of applications and received a lot of rejections. Some companies cancelled without giving a reason, perhaps because I'm a woman. When there were three companies left, I was briefly worried that I wouldn't be able to do the apprenticeship near where I live. But now my training company is so close that I can go home for lunch.
I did my thing, so my parents didn't have much to say about how I was doing. But if I was unsure, I asked my mum. I couldn't spontaneously call a company. I always wrote down what I wanted to say. Before I called, I looked at the notes with my mum."
That's what the young people say:
- «I do something new every day»
Pedro Lopes, 19, from Luterbach SO, is a plumber in his third year of training. He has very specific ideas for his professional future. - «There's still a lot to learn»
Marc Roth, 17, from Oberhelfenschwil SG, wants to become a farrier and later run his own business. - «My parents are very proud of me»
Farzana Ahmadi, 26, from Umiken AG, is an EBA health and social care assistant. She misses her home country of Iran and says that the people in the care home help her to feel less alone. - «I was only allowed to measure once and had to concentrate very hard»
Anouk Zaugg, 16, from Brugg AG, completed a taster apprenticeship as a structural draughtswoman. And is happy to be able to do an apprenticeship in her dream job after receiving a positive decision. - «I explain to customers what is allowed - and what is not»
Daniel Wiederkehr, 26, from Rotkreuz ZG, now works as a security technician. Not everything went smoothly during his training. - «I like dismantling large objects»
Bianca Jöhr, 16, from Worb BE, is a first-year apprentice recyclist. She initially wanted to be a hairdresser. - «I had a difficult time, and not just because I couldn't find an apprenticeship»
Colin Spilek, 16, from Nufenen GR, is a vocational school pupil and is doing really well. The search for an apprenticeship coincided with his coming out as transgender - not an easy time.
