Annett Eckstein is becoming a sewing specialist without a technical education
Training program for career changers
When Annett Eckstein enters the sewing hall in Keplerstraße 35 in Gera at the beginning of October, she is nervous. She hasn’t worked for Bauerfeind for almost two years. She has only been to the Gera site for her interview – and today, she will be sitting at a sewing machine for the first time. At her new workstation. This is where she will be learning how to sew without previous textile-related training.
From the bar to the sewing table
When Annett Eckstein first heard about the idea, she was confused. After all, she had never sewn before. At the same time, she saw an opportunity. A Gera resident, she previously worked in the restaurant trade, and joined Bauerfeind in Zeulenroda in 2020 as an employee for assembly and textile welding. After a few weeks, her pregnancy dictated that the 32-year-old would first have to focus on her family – before applying to Bauerfeind again in 2022: “I really enjoyed working in Zeulenroda, everyone was so helpful. And I like making things that are beneficial to others. That’s why I wanted to be a part of Bauerfeind again.”
However, Annett Eckstein was not able to work shifts with a small child. Lars Eulitz, Site Manager in Gera, still saw an opportunity for re-employment because the Zeulenroda colleagues remembered the quick comprehension and dexterity Annett Eckstein brought to the team. He therefore suggested the career changers program. This allows Annett Eckstein to work the day shift from 7.00 am to 2:45 pm.
The concept of internal sewing training
Annett Eckstein dares to “jump in at the deep end” and, at the beginning of October, finds herself at a sewing table among qualified sewing specialists. She is shown the first actions – and just gets going. Her first task: sewing on the toe of VenoTrain curaflow compression stockings. Her helpful colleagues, sitting behind and next to her at their sewing machines, give her tips every now and then. Belinda Hornke, who is in charge of instructing employees and trainees in Gera, also supports Annett. The 27-year-old trained at Bauerfeind herself, and now passes on her experience. The correct posture, the order of materials on the table, and the speed are important factors that ensure the sewn product will be a success.
Annett will spend six weeks on perfecting her first work step until productivity is just right. That is the number of toes she can sew on in a given time. After six weeks, she will move on to the second part of the three-month training program. “In the following six weeks, Annett will learn how to sew the upper edge of compression stockings. And after three months, we’ll have a look which other process suits her,” Belinda Hornke explains.
The next step: a training workshop
The idea is to expand the career changers program into a training workshop. For this, a room in Keplerstraße 35 will be specifically set up so trainees can learn on different machines and with different materials. “It has been increasingly difficult for Bauerfeind to find trained sewing specialists,” Martin Gerhold, Project Manager and Lymphology Production Manager, explains the reasons for the project: “That’s why we’re relying on internal training. We can recognize the potential to fulfill these tasks in motivated colleagues with dexterity and an interest in sewing.”