Ann Britt Kolloen Head of the weaving department Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrik September 2013

I have been here since 1995, when I began working part time as a weaver. To get a full time position I applied for a job in the inspection and repair department as well. In 2000 I started as the supervisor, or working foreman, as it was called then. After four or five years I became head of the weaving department, which includes both inspection and repair department and the warp making. I already had responsibility in inspection and repair department and then I threw myself into the rest as well. There was an upheaval in my daily routines, so to speak. I like to be active. It is great when things move fast and it is a little hectic. I am very fond of the people here, the mill and my work. For good and bad. It is not only fun, but that is the case anywhere. Now I have become so old that I guess I'll stay here until I retire. Bet on it.

It was quite by chance that I started here. An acquaintance of mine told me that it was a position advertised, and it made me want to apply. With a little luck I got the job. I have no education that has anything to do with textiles. The first week was tough; I thought I was never going to learn anything at all. But that was just nonsense, of course. If you are you interested you build knowledge along the way. If you are interested and curious, you look around at all places ... what is that? What is there?

I am responsible for making schedules for what we produce at all times, and I am responsible for staff and meetings. I have three meetings before nine o'clock every morning, with the operators in the departments, the heads of the other departments and the management. I really appreciate these meetings. Because of them I don't have to run around all day telling everybody what to do. I gather everyone and go through how the day went yesterday, and what should be done that specific day. Department head meetings are important because they clarify if there is something that does not work in how the departments function together.

I talk a lot with the staff members, and I try to spend the breaks with my colleagues. I think the bonds are pretty solid, yes. I would almost call it friendship among us all. But sometimes we have challenges that it takes some time to solve. But most things we manage to handle. I always try to see the signals, if something is wrong among the staff. Then it is very important to sit down and talk, and really listen. Or perhaps I just ask if everything is okay today. There is often not so much you need to be assured that you are seen and heard.

We have a lot of heavy lifting, naturally. And a lot of dust, and the humming and shaking. The looms just stand there beating and shaking. The air is slightly moist and warm; it must be because of the yarn. We try to find new ways to improve; it has to do with health and well-being. But of course it is a challenge, and it will never be perfect in this regard; if we want to continue weaving we will never get rid of the dust. And the noise, it will never go away.

When I started they said that you're not a qualified weaver until you've been here for two years, and I think that it is true because there are things that are new to you constantly. Although it has become easier with new machines, I think it is right that you need two years to get a certain experience with all of the elements in the production. When a new person with no experience starts to weave, they work with a senior staff member for as long as it takes for the new person to master the craft. It takes quite a long time to learn the operations in a weaving mill. You must learn to use proper yarn, tie properly and finish the pieces properly.

I feel proud of being a weaver. This is probably just the thing for me. To experience that the quality you have made is perfect, right? Good job, we can be proud of this! This is an important part of enjoying your work. But I'm probably a bit special, I guess? Maybe I should have started working here when I was even younger, and built an even stronger position on my interests and knowledge.