Dentistry, law, technical product designer - an unusual CV with a happy ending

From dentistry to law to technical product designer? Hubert Sadowski has taken a career path that is as surprising as it is inspiring. After a long period of orientation in which he studied, but did not graduate and then pursued a few part-time jobs, he found his passion for technology. With determination, he retrained as a technical product designer specializing in machine and plant design at BFW Leipzig. IOT - Innovative Oberflächentechnologien GmbH recognized his potential during his work-based learning phase (internship) and offered him a permanent position immediately after graduation.

In this interview, he tells us how he took the bold step of retraining and mastered it in 27 months. We then spoke to Sandra Ziegler-Landmann, HR Manager at IOT, about how a new start and inclusion can work well and how cooperation with BFW Leipzig pays off in the search for trained specialists.

BFW Leipzig: Mr. Sadowski, can you still remember how you became aware of BFW Leipzig?
Hubert Sadowski: Receiving the education voucher went hand in hand with choosing a suitable educational institution. After my research in spring/summer 2021, BFW Leipzig was the best choice in terms of range of services and location (place of residence).

BFW Leipzig: Can you tell us why you decided to retrain as a technical product designer?
Hubert Sadowski: On the one hand, my interest in technical systems and how they work, on the other hand, working on a PC with different programs and the constant new challenges and progress in mechanical engineering.

BFW Leipzig: What expectations did you have when you came to BFW Leipzig?
Hubert Sadowski: I have to be honest and say that I didn't know the BFW in Leipzig before I started my retraining, so I had no expectations at all.

BFW Leipzig: Was there anything on the part of BFW Leipzig that particularly helped you during the _
retraining?
Hubert Sadowski: Trainers with years of experience in mechanical engineering and/or process engineering were very helpful during the practical retraining. Job-related topics and questions were discussed in detail.

BFW Leipzig: How did you find out about your current job at IOT GmbH? Did BFW Leipzig support you in your job search?
Hubert Sadowski: As part of my retraining, I completed the so-called company learning phase (internship) at IOT - Innovative Oberflächentechnologien GmbH. During this time, I gained a good insight into the day-to-day work of a technical product designer.

_BFW Leipzig: What was your start to your new career like?
Hubert Sadowski: I started working at IOT - Innovative Oberflächentechnologien GmbH just 14 days after passing my final examination at the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce. I still remembered the basic work processes well, so it was a very pleasant start.

BFW Leipzig: How long have you been with IOT GmbH and how satisfied are you?
Hubert Sadowski: I've been at IOT - Innovative Oberflächentechnologien GmbH for a good six months now (August 2024). The work in special machine construction is very varied and there is no danger of a "gray working day". The integration into the existing team was pleasant and unproblematic.

_BFW Leipzig: Do you have any tips for new rehabilitants and retrainees?
Hubert Sadowski: After successfully completing a retraining course and gaining a qualification, you are well prepared for a new phase in your life with new tasks and the associated new quality of life. Even if it may not always be easy for one or the other to cope with the learning workload, you should not lose heart and always keep your goal in mind. In due course, you will look back and not regret having chosen this path.

_BFW Leipzig: _What do you wish for the future?
Hubert Sadowski: Many more years of professional life.

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_BFW Leipzig: Do you have a special connection to the Berufsförderungswerk?
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: We have been working hand in hand with BFW Leipzig for years. We actively help retrainees during their work-based learning phase (internship). Our main focus is on the profession of technical product designer. By presenting new professions as part of the job buffet at BFW Leipzig - a meeting point for companies and retrainees - IOT GmbH has now also been able to attract new trainees in the field of electronics technicians for devices and systems.

BFW Leipzig: How did you find out about Mr. Sadowski?
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: The first telephone contact came about through a recommendation from BFW Leipzig. After reviewing his application and one interview later, we were pleased to be able to offer Mr. Sadowski a place for his work-based learning phase.

BFW Leipzig: Do you employ other people with disabilities? How do you support them?
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: In the past, we have already been able to give some retrainees an insight into our company and the associated practical implementation of the profession they are learning. We got to know each other better over a period of five months. We discovered great potential together. IOT GmbH wanted to exploit these opportunities in the long term. This resulted in new positions for technical product designers, some of which are equipped with height-adjustable desks and ergonomic office chairs according to requirements. An inclusive corporate culture is just as essential as flexible working hours.

BFW Leipzig: Did you have to restructure certain things before hiring Mr. Sadowski? For example, adapting certain processes?
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: Based on our knowledge of retrainees, we took the necessary steps and made adjustments. Our team leader, who himself completed his retraining as a technical product designer at BFW Leipzig years ago, drew up an induction plan. This plan includes phantom projects that allow you to really experience processes and techniques in design, drawing and manufacturing through practical exercises. This makes it much easier to get started.

BFW Leipzig: Is there anything else you would like to see BFW Leipzig do in the future with regard to the placement of skilled workers? _
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: The job buffet at BFW Leipzig opens doors in the industrial-technical field. It helps to make new contacts and meet suitable participants. I would like to see the offer extended to other occupational groups, especially the commercial sector.

_BFW Leipzig: What advice would you give to people with disabilities?
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: Don't hesitate to break new ground. Be curious and open. At IOT GmbH, we have already helped many retrainees to find their way. We have accompanied them through their on-the-job training phase and have even been able to take some of them on.

_BFW Leipzig: And what would you recommend to other companies with regard to employing people with disabilities?
Sandra Ziegler-Landmann: An open and transparent culture of communication and the desire to support people with disabilities. In return, you get a lot of life and work experience, a high level of motivation and loyalty as well as competence and collegiality. There are also subsidies for integration for setting up new workplaces

Berufsförderungswerk Leipzig gemeinnützige GmbH
Georg-Schumann-Straße 148
04159 Leipzig
Germany

https://bfw-leipzig.de/

Frau Kathy Heiden
0341-9175-394

kathy.heiden@bfw-leipzig.de

BFW Leipzig
The Berufsförderungswerk Leipzig has been a specialist in the field of participation in working life (vocational rehabilitation) for over 30 years. It provides training and needs-oriented support for people who have had to leave their normal working life due to illness or accident. With individual testing, qualification and integration measures, new opportunities are offered for a return to working life. As a supra-regional service provider in the areas of advice, diagnostics and assessment, qualification, prevention and rehabilitation, the services are available at the main office in Leipzig and the branch office in Chemnitz. The vocational training centers (BTZ at the BFW) in Leipzig and Chemnitz complement the services offered specifically for people with mental disabilities. The wide range of services are not only an important contribution to getting people back into work, but also help to solve the shortage of skilled workers in the economy by providing orientation on the job market.

In addition, BFW Leipzig offers various training courses for companies. Here, the wishes of industry and business for a skilled workforce are taken into account. On request, the skilled workers can be trained on a job-related, in-service and individual basis.

This release was published on openPR.