In times of easy access to education and technology, nothing stands in the way of a warehouse worker becoming a machine technician, or a stay-at-home mom becoming a graphic designer. You can acquire a new profession at any age.
Adam is 45 years old, lives in a small town in Greater Poland, and finished vocational school. He spent most of his life working as a warehouseman. He drove a forklift, earned an average wage, and had no prospects for advancement. On the advice of a carpenter friend, he took a free course in operating CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. He was surprised to find that he, a simple guy, had a knack for it. The course lasted half a year, after which Adam signed up for a second, this time paid, course. A year later, he found a job as a machine technician in a medium-sized company. Today, he can afford holidays abroad and proudly tells people what he does.
Ania, age 34, almost finished her degree in pedagogy. She didn’t manage to defend her thesis, because her first daughter, Lenka, was born. Then Kamilek was born, and before Ania knew it, she had spent ten years as a full-time mom at home with her kids. With an empty resume and terrified she’d never find a job, she found an offer online for activation courses for mothers. She chose graphic design, as she had always liked drawing. In the course, she learned to use several programs and created her first portfolio. She worked at the computer in the evenings after her children were asleep. She went to a career counselor to help her write a CV that would highlight her strengths rather than her employment gap; she also asked for help preparing for a possible job interview. Today, Ania works part-time as a graphic designer in a small advertising agency. She’s started a new chapter.
Learn in Greater Poland
Greater Poland strongly emphasizes lifelong learning and enables residents to develop skills that will shape their careers in the future, regardless of their current occupation. There are many places in the region where you can acquire skills for the future. Noteworthy addresses are featured in an accessible way in “Greater Poland Skills”—a series dedicated to those who never stop learning, both for themselves and for others.
One place to get help designing your future career is the Center for Craft, Dual and Vocational Education Support in Kalisz. “It’s a unique institution. There are five similar ones across Greater Poland: in Konin, Piła, Poznań, and Leszno,” lists Magdalena Sekura-Nowicka, director of the Kalisz center. Her clients develop their ability to adapt to the fast-changing labor market, for example by practicing soft skills, which today are required for most positions. Anna Szefon works at the Center as a career counselor and psychologist. “Every day I help people choose an educational and career path, but also to retrain, take part in interviews, present themselves, and, finally, cope with motivational crises,” she says. The Center teaches out-of-the-box thinking, creativity, stress resilience, and encourages greater entrepreneurship. Support from a counselor won’t give you ready-made answers, but it helps you get to know yourself, and choosing the right path is the first step toward success.
With the aim of supporting entrepreneurs who don’t want to fall behind the competition, the Leszno Business Center is also active. “Not only do we connect entrepreneurs and offer them tailored support, but we also try to inspire people to become entrepreneurs in general,” says Marzena Szymańska-Grzegorzek, the Center’s president. The Incubator is a place where young people can learn how to start their first business. “We provide information on where and what kind of support can be obtained. We also help in preparing documentation, for example, to obtain funding for a business for the unemployed,” says Ewelina Tomaszewska, Head of the Incubation and Funding Department. The Incubator also supports established entrepreneurs. Arkadiusz Borowczyk works for a company selling vehicles adapted for people with disabilities. “Over time, we started to rent more and more space in the Incubator. Now we have three offices and a service garage, which helps us prepare vehicles for our clients,” he explains.
You can find more inspiring stories and resources on the “LLL po wielkopolsku” channel on YouTube: LLL po Wielkopolsku — YouTube