Unemployment and receiving unemployment benefit II are often the beginning of an unstoppable downward spiral in a person's life. Many motivated employees are afraid of one day getting caught up in this vicious cycle. But what should you do if it does happen and from one day to the next you are only an insignificant figure in the unemployment statistics.
This is where my story begins. A story that began at the end of 2008 and almost three years later brought me into connection with the so-called “Hartz IV”.
After many successful years of integration work with children and young people from families of repatriates, I devoted myself entirely to my great passion, writing crime stories, and intended to build a life as a freelance writer. To my dismay, I had the painful experience that it usually takes three to six years before an author can place a work in the large book market. Unfortunately, in September 2011 I was forced to apply for the infamous unemployment benefit II.
Shortly after applying, I was asked to take part in a training program to reintegrate unemployed people into the primary labor market. From the end of September to the end of November 2011, the ISE language and vocational training center in Amberg was to be the sponsor. In my worst dreams I could already imagine how the people involved, in this case the course instructor(s), would build up a lot of pressure from above, from the position of a strong partner, in order to force me back into working life as a teacher, without any consideration my own life plans.
But far from it! The course leaders and supervisors at the ISE Language and Vocational Training Center treated us as equal partners and took into account the individual talents and inclinations of the participants. Each participant in the measure received a PC workstation so that, after prior instruction, they could interactively search for and find job offers on various job exchanges. Confidential individual discussions were held and possible solutions were presented. The focus was always on the people themselves. The ISE participants received assistance with their applications and also with preparing a professional CV. They were informed about different job profiles and various employers introduced themselves and their company philosophy on site. Through arranged internships and targeted applications, the ISE Language and Vocational Training Center was able to bring a considerable number of participants back into working life during the measure. The reimbursement of travel costs and the free provision of materials for applications (stamps, envelopes, folders, etc.) were also handled in a pleasantly unbureaucratic manner.
As far as I am concerned, my intention to gain a foothold in the “writing guild” was certainly supported. In addition, I was shown further opportunities to successfully use my talents and interests (for example as an online copywriter, etc.) and even expand on them. In this way the eight weeks really flew by. Of course there were “certain lengths” in the process, but I knew how to use them sensibly.
At this point, many thanks again to the ISE supervisors - especially Ms. Kruckenberger, Ms. Gassner, Mr. Gebhardt and Mr. Albrecht - for their support and for every “open ear” with small and large problems as well as for the patience and trust shown in my person and my abilities.
Jürgen Hartmann
Former participant of Netto TM
Unemployment and receiving unemployment benefit II are often the beginning of an unstoppable downward spiral in a person's life. Many motivated employees are afraid of one day getting caught up in this vicious cycle. But what should you do if it does happen and from one day to the next you are only an insignificant figure in the unemployment statistics.
This is where my story begins. A story that began at the end of 2008 and almost three years later brought me into connection with the so-called “Hartz IV”.
After many successful years of integration work with children and young people from families of repatriates, I devoted myself entirely to my great passion, writing crime stories, and intended to build a life as a freelance writer. To my dismay, I had the painful experience that it usually takes three to six years before an author can place a work in the large book market. Unfortunately, in September 2011 I was forced to apply for the infamous unemployment benefit II.
Shortly after applying, I was asked to take part in a training program to reintegrate unemployed people into the primary labor market. From the end of September to the end of November 2011, the ISE language and vocational training center in Amberg was to be the sponsor. In my worst dreams I could already imagine how the people involved, in this case the course instructor(s), would build up a lot of pressure from above, from the position of a strong partner, in order to force me back into working life as a teacher, without any consideration my own life plans.
But far from it! The course instructors and supervisors at ISE treated us as equal partners and took into account the individual talents and inclinations of the participants. Each participant in the measure received a PC workstation so that, after prior instruction, they could interactively search for and find job offers on various job exchanges. Confidential individual discussions were held and possible solutions were presented. The focus was always on the people themselves. The participants received assistance with their applications and also with preparing a professional CV. They were informed about different job profiles and various employers introduced themselves and their company philosophy on site. Through arranged internships and targeted applications, the measure succeeded in bringing a considerable number of participants back into working life. The reimbursement of travel costs and the free provision of materials for applications (stamps, envelopes, folders, etc.) were also handled in a pleasantly unbureaucratic manner.
As far as I am concerned, my intention to gain a foothold in the “writing guild” was certainly supported. In addition, I was shown further opportunities to successfully use my talents and interests (for example as an online copywriter, etc.) and even expand on them. In this way the eight weeks really flew by. Of course there were “certain lengths” in the process, but I knew how to use them sensibly.
At this point, many thanks again to the supervisors at ISE - in particular to Ms. Kruckenberger, Ms. Gassner and Mr. Gebhardt - for their support and for every “open ear” with smaller and larger problems as well as for the patience and trust they have shown in me and myself my skills.
Jürgen Hartmann
Former participant of Netto TM