A fresh start in your mid-50s: from supplementary worker to group leader
Then, at 50, it was over. The economic crisis struck mercilessly. Zoi lost her job as a secretary in Athens. Even the private lessons she gave in Greek and German on the side could no longer provide her with a living. No one had the money for language courses any more.
Her decision to leave Greece and return to Munich was clear. She grew up there as the child of migrant workers and later worked for years as an IT clerk. But the new start was difficult. "I just couldn't get a job in IT anymore. Maybe because of my age?" asks Zoi.
Then a friend gave Zoi the tip that she should start working at childcare center . They were desperately looking for staff there. No sooner said than done. A short time later, Zoi started working as an assistant in the Theresie day nursery at pme Familienservice in Munich.
But it didn't stop there. "Shortly afterwards, the Munich childcare center management offered me the opportunity to catch up on my specialist qualification," says Zoi. "I then found the right course to become a nursery teacher at the Kolping Academy and completed my training last year." The costs for the qualification were covered by the pme Familienservice.
Daring to make a new start, no matter how old you are: Zoi is the best example of how it pays to be courageous and break new ground. Today, she runs the Theresie daycare center in Munich.
Want to become a specialist? It's never too late!
Are you working as a supplemental employee at one of our childcare centers and want to go one step further, just like Zoi did? We would be delighted to hear this and will actively support you. For example, with advice on the best form of training for you, with adapted working hours and time off for school days. Just talk to your manager!
Julia Mondenschein, central childcare center coordination
