“Neither in my work nor in my life I am not dividing obligations to men and women. I work with male colleagues and two female colleagues and we are all equally professionally doing our job “- says Vaska Velickovska, operator in beer packaging in Pivara Skopje. For her greatest achievement she considers the experience of 30 years spent in Pivara Skopje, for which this year was awarded jubilee recognition and of course the fact that she was part of the first certified beer tasters. Wife, mother and grandmother of 5 beautiful grandchildren, Vaska, who played basketball, handball and even football with her friends on high school days, today, for years, practically only walk with her husband, and most enjoys moments with her family and grandchildren which bring her immense joy.

1. What memories link you to your beginnings in the work, when and in which position you started work in Pivara Skopje?

In Pivara Skopje I got employed in November, the distant 1987. Perhaps few of today’s generations know that at that time in Pivara Skopje there was a production for alcoholic, wine and apple cider vinegar, so called “Ocetara”. Many memories tie me to that beginning, where I spent the first years of working in the company. After a few years, Pivara Skopje closed the vinegar production, but we continued to work. Soon afterwards, part of us were switched in the production of soft drinks, and part in a beer production.

2. Are you satisfied with your job and the company you have been in for three decades? How much Pivara Skopje has allowed you to upgrade to the area in which you work?

The three decades spent in this company are proof of my satisfaction. I work in a beer packaging where essentially things are automated and the overall professional upgrade is based on training us as operators to work on the machines. But without it, it`s not possible. Over the years, the processes have made many progress, and Pivara Skopje is a company that constantly invests in new and modern equipment, but also in the education of people who work with this equipment. For example, last year we received a new and most advance beer filling line, which required a training. It enables us to finish things accurately and in a timely manner.

3. What does your job position mean in Pivara Skopje?

By vocation I am chemical technician, and my position in Pivara Skopje is Operator in a beer packaging that involves machine work.

4. When mentioning work in production, it immediately associates to a male job, a male profession. How do you see that, is there a distinction to male and female professions?

Neither at work nor in private life I do not split the obligations to men and women. In packaging I work with male colleagues and two female colleagues and we are all equally professionally doing our job. And at home with my husband we do not split the work to male and female. If I can not finish something, he will do it and vice versa. I think that, especially today, in the modern society, making distinctions of male and female professions is completely unjustified.

5. What values and skills do you use as a person and as a professional to be successful in what you do?

I am grateful to my parents who gave me patience and calmness. I use this principle both at home and at work. I think that if you have patience and calmness, the work will run as it should, otherwise it will get you nervous and panic, which can lead to failure. As far as skills are concerned, they acquire daily work and a lifetime.

6. What is your greatest achievement in the work?

For my greatest achievement, I consider placement in Pivara Skopje. This year I made 30 years in the company for which I was awarded jubilee recognition. It’s a great success for me, and I’ve never felt more beautiful and happier. And if I need to separate a project as my personal success, I would like to point out that I was part of the first group of certified beer tasters.

7. How important is the support of the family for the success of a woman’s work?

Family support is most important. I have to say that my greatest support in life is my husband. At the beginning when I started working  I imposed physical work, work for weekends and holidays, while my children were still young. These are big difficulties for a wife and a mother. Fortunately, my husband was always beside me and our children and he helped me immensely, and so it is today, for which I am grateful to him infinitely.

8. How do you spend your free time?

Today is very different from before. Weekends and holidays are free, so I can dedicate myself more to the family. I have 2 daughters and I am grandmother of 5 grandchildren: Nikola, Petar, Marko, Sarah, Ilina who bring me immense joy.

9. Do you have a hobby, something that makes you happy and relaxed?

I do not have a hobby, but I love sport. In high school days I played basketball, handball, football with my male friends side by side. I do not divide even the sport mens and women. I am already in years now and together with my husband we only hike recreationally.