I have not posted for a while because I have been busying
collecting information for a further meeting at the Job Centre, Wiesbaden. It
turns out that I was not actually registered as unemployed because I had asked for consultation about what training options were available to me. At my two
meetings in June and July the possibility of training was not addressed. So
about three weeks ago, I contacted them again and requested a training voucher.
I was referred to a different person this time – I assume a person who deals
with people who have business degrees rather than those with degrees in the
Humanities. I, of course, have both kinds. I spoke to the person responsible for
the business studies and was told that I need to come in and register as
unemployed. And once I had done that, I would then be able to see this person,
but only at the end of September. I mean time I was to collect information
about training courses, their duration and cost for my meeting on the 26 of
September.
The first education supplier was not convinced that any of their
courses would actually improve my chances of finding employment. The lady in
question has now sent me a selection of options; some are clearly less useful
than others. The second place I approached, only provides telephonic consultation.
But I now have a training proposal from them as well.
In order to cover all the options, last week I visited a
training school that provides re-training, with an average duration of at least
two years. They offer a number of courses, again some being less suitable than
others. However, given the costs involved it seems unlikely that this will be
the selected solution. There was however, at least one useful suggestion made: that I
should get my South African university degrees recognised in Germany.
In order
to do this you have to send in certified copies of your certificates. I spend
most of yesterday morning sorting this out. When I finally found the right
person, I was of course confronted with peoples’
refusal to queue. A woman, certainly no lady, decided that she was far more
important than I was. She did not feel the need to wait her turn. And although, I thought
of all sorts of interesting [and impolite] things to say to her; I decided that anyone who had
no manners, was simply beneath my dignity. She left there, no doubt, feeling very clever about how she had gotten away with
pushing in. I left there with my certified documents and my dignity in tact.
Tomorrow the information gathering continues, as I am going
to the local university to discuss the suitability of two of their business
programmes. In the meantime I have also researched part-time distance learning courses.
So by the time the 26 of September finally arrives I will be well prepared for
my meeting at the Job Centre, Wiesbaden.
And because this has been such an interesting (sic) post, I am posting a picture to liven it up a bit.
