Nico Wittich an seinem neuen Arbeitsplatz © PNVG
Heiko Joksch, Personalmanagement PNVG, gibt Nico Wittich Hinweise am Führerstand
Nico Wittich has lived in Munich with his family for a very long time. As a tram driver, the 42-year-old knows the city inside out, yet it is becoming increasingly unfamiliar to him. “My profession isn’t really valued in Bavaria these days. The mindset of the people here is completely different. The housing situation in Munich is also tight. Rents are very high.” And so Nico Wittich is growing increasingly homesick for his old home and his family in Saxony-Anhalt.
The desire to return home has been there for a long time, but Nico Wittich and his wife, who works as a preschool teacher, never really dared to take the plunge. Neither of them was quite sure what all needed to be considered. Mr. Wittich had sent an application as a trained tram driver to Saxony-Anhalt but never received a reply. When acquaintances told him about the support services offered by the state initiative “Fachkraft im Fokus,” things really started to pick up for Nico Wittich.
“How does a return to Saxony-Anhalt with a family work?” is the question Nico Wittich poses to Claudia Bär, regional advisor for skilled workers in Halle. Ms. Bär carefully assesses the family’s professional and personal situation and immediately begins intensive support, covering topics such as assessing the current situation, identifying the family’s needs and requirements, planning and structuring the necessary steps, reviewing application documents, discussing opportunities based on existing qualifications, and job searching. During the consultation, potential job fields for Nico Wittich are identified—including, among others, working as a bus driver. Mr. Wittich is made aware of transportation companies in the region and their job postings. Since the family wishes to settle in the southern part of Halle, the search focuses primarily on this area, and contact is established with the PersonenNahVerkehrsGesellschaft Merseburg - Querfurt mbH (PNVG).
The company is immediately very interested. Heiko Joksch from Human Resources oversees the process on the company’s behalf. He has thoroughly prepared for the hiring and, in collaboration with the Saxony-Anhalt South Employment Agency, also arranges driving school for Mr. Wittich. Within 2.5 months, he successfully completes the course and has been working as a driver since the end of December 2022. This was also possible because PNVG hired Mr. Wittich from day one—even while he was still attending driving school—and consistently supported him in handling administrative procedures and many other tasks.
“Looking back, I have no regrets. I received tremendous support from everyone. I’ve settled in very well at the company. All my colleagues have welcomed me warmly. So I quickly got over any initial difficulties. After all, a lot has changed during my years away, and I first have to get used to some of the new roads in rural areas.” And after a brief pause, Nico Wittich emphasizes: “I can only recommend this to anyone who grew up here: returning to your old home and seeking advice from the state initiative ‘Fachkraft im Fokus.’”
Would you like to learn more about returning to Saxony-Anhalt? Are you looking to change careers, pursue further education, or gain new qualifications? We’re just a phone call away.
Claudia Bär
Regional Advisor for Skilled Workers
+49 172 7681903
baer(at)fachkraft-im-fokus(dot)de
