Techniektuin participant Mariëtte: "I already have choice stress, because I find all engineering fields interesting."
Participant Mariette talks about the first month of Technique Garden
In early April, the Techniektuin IJmond was launched, the project of Techport, the Province of North Holland, WSP Zuid-Kennemerland and IJmond, the Nova College Beverwijk and eleven companies that allows new entrants to actually start in a technical profession. In 12 weeks, the ten participants are immersed in the world of technology.
Six weeks of classes, six weeks of internships
The Technique Garden IJmond is divided into two parts. For the first six weeks, the participants receive technology classes at the NOVA Campus in Beverwijk and get a taste of different technology fields such as electrical, - metal, - installation, - process, - and insulation technology. They also get to know the eleven companies affiliated with this pilot: they visit them and receive guest lectures. In this way the participants get a good idea of what each company does and what skills are required. After these six weeks of orientation, the candidates will do an internship at one of the eleven affiliated companies at the end of May.
The Technique Garden participants have been busy for just under a month now. Mariëtte Wonder, 55years, from Beverwijk tells what her impression is so far.
"Engineering has always interested me."
Engineering is not new to Mariëtte. After completing Agricultural High School, she ran her own farm for several years. "I maintained my own machinery and installations, because that saved money. After that, I also worked at a number of technical companies. My last employer was Multi Papier. As an operator, I printed, cut and folded paper into bagged food products."
Highlight was welding
"Engineering has always interested me. My job coach mentioned the Technique Garden and I received a flyer from the UWV in my mail. I hope to find an interesting job through the Technique Garden. At home I also tinker, but then I do it the way I think it should be done. Here I learn how to really do it, according to the rules. The highlight of last month was that we went MIG/MAG welding. That's really very precise work."
Looking Realistic
Mariëtte takes the Technique Garden very seriously. She grabs a notebook. "Look, I made a diagram. For each company I write down what they do about sustainable employability, whether it is an SME, what my first impression is, and what kind of work they offer. That way I come up with a list of pluses and minuses. And based on that, I'm going to make my choice. It does give me a bit of choice stress though, because I like everything! But I also have to be realistic, because seven months ago I got a new hip. I can do almost everything, but lifting a 35-pound boiler up the stairs every day is not good for my body."
