Photo: Sara Meyer
Ms. Wagner, how long have you been a chimney sweep?
At 16 I started my training right after the secondary school. Since then I’ve been a chimney sweep, so for 15 years. Well, with a small interruption when I wanted to do work and travel in Canada, but had to stop because of Corona. But since then I’ve been a chimney sweep, this is my dream job.
How did you get this profession as a teenager?
I didn’t have the job on my screen. It was clear to me that something must be manual. Office – this is not for me, many girls from school became a hotel specialist. Then the chimney sweep was at home during the holidays. He told me about his everyday work, and I found him so ultracool when I was 16. Then I followed him at his work and was thrilled. My mother then pushed me more or less for the internship. On the first day I knew: this is my dream job. I immediately signed the training contract and have been a happy chimney sweep since then.
Interview
Sarah Wagner is 30 years old and has been a chimney sweep in southern Germany for 15 years. Every year she takes part in the international chimney sweep meeting in Santa Maria Maggiore, Italy. While a shortage of skilled workers is being sued in many industries, she found her dream job early – and tells how it is to work as a woman in a traditional men’s profession.
What fascinated it?
For me it was the interactions with customers, the social, you are always in conversation and always on the move. Many older people in particular are happy when the chimney sweep comes, this is a highlight for them, because sometimes they are lonely. You do something good and are welcome – chimney sweeps are lucky charms for people. In what profession do you have something like that?
Did you never doubt your decision?
Of course there are days when I think: man, now it would be nice to sit in the office, especially if it rains properly outside or the weather is just uncomfortable. Then I have to go from house to house, always out in wind and rain. Nevertheless, I would never exchange my job for an office job.
How do customers react when a young woman stands in front of them?
Mostly positive. I am the very first woman in my sweeping district. That’s different. For example, a ladder is often worn. Sometimes I think: I would have been able to do that now. But I don’t see that so closely. There are nice gestures, you are valued. Of course there are also prejudices. Some believe that I don’t do the work properly or have nothing to look for in a craft profession. Unfortunately, this still exists, especially among younger men who assume that I do not do it as well as a man and they say that too. Older people look a little more closely whether everything fits, but I don’t resent them, they do it in a cute way. But mostly the experiences are very positive.
How was that in training – were there many women?
No, we were outnumbered. In Ulm at the vocational school we were 60 students from all over Baden-Württemberg, maybe seven or eight girls. But it was a positive mood, nobody said: ‘What do you want here as a girl?’ There are also more and more women, now there was even a whole girl.
What would you say to young women who are considering becoming a chimney sweep?
It is a very independent profession. You can put working hours quite flexible. For example, I have animals at home – if one is sick, I go to the vet and work longer on another day. That is an advantage. And if there are children at some point, you can easily work half a day. Chimney sweeps are always sought, you have a good chance. And the special thing about me is the personal relationship: my boss and I are only in pairs, you can always discuss everything and there is an understanding of all situations. In the Freundeskreis I always hear that you have to make applications in advance. There is no such thing with us. I call my boss and he actually always says that it’s okay.
What exactly does your everyday life look like?
In my 38.5-hour week, I don’t just sweep chimneys. I also check heating and stoves, measurement of exhaust gas values and other technical things so that everything works safely. A large part of my work is also to advise people: How can you save energy, how to correctly adjust the heating so that it runs efficiently. For every day there is a rough window of how many houses I should create so that everything is done.
Many young people also choose the profession for climate protection reasons. Does that play a role for you?
Yes. You can do something on a small scale, for example by giving customers tips on how to save energy. Set heaters lower, use dry wood – this contributes to this. At 16 that was not an issue for me yet, but now I am proud that I can make such a contribution.
You work in a small company, only you and your boss. Does the sex play a role there?
Not at all. We alternate, for example in exhausting work in incense chambers for butchers. When the boss leaves the strength, I continue – and vice versa.
Does the job keep fit?
Yes. I don’t need a gym. I run so many stairs a day, that’s crazy. In Iceland I was hiking with a friend – for me the steps were not an issue, it was quickly out of breath. Then you notice how much the job keeps your legs busy.
Do you work in traditional black clothes?
No, actually not. I only wear this outfit here at such events as the chimney sweep meeting. I go out in a black T-shirt and work trousers. It must be functional. When working, you get black anyway – at least – even the most beautiful uniform is of no use. The traditional hat is only in the way, I come across everywhere. It is important that the houses of the people stay clean and I don’t pollute the walls.
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How do you experience the community at chimney sweep meetings like this one?
This is now my fifth meeting. My boss asked me at the beginning whether I would like to. First I just wanted to see if that was something for me. And since then I’ve been a fire and flame. It’s nice because you meet colleagues, exchange and realize: We are many. It is a mixture of tradition, friendship and the feeling that one’s own profession extends far beyond everyday life. You get into conversation with chimney sweeps from other countries, talk about differences in the regulations, especially in environmental protection and technology – I find that totally exciting.
Do you use the contacts all year round after the meeting?
It is more of a year, but via social media you occasionally stay up to date, see what others do, who shares chimney sweep content.
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