The 24-year-old started work on the reception desk at the Donnington Valley Hotel in Newbury three and a half years ago. Praewphan, who is known as Lek, was then promoted to head receptionist and now manages a team of six.
She found out about HIT and the qualifications she could strive for at an open day at the hotel.
“I saw the benefits that the Apprenticeship could provide and it was good because it tied in with what I was doing,” she says
Lek has already gained an NVQ in Customer Service and is close to completing an Advanced Hospitality Supervision & Leadership Apprenticeship (Level 3).
Lek is convinced it helped get her where she is today. “It helped me get the job,” she said. “Doing the training certainly helps with progression and promotion. The Level 3 training helped advance me so I could land the head receptionist’s job when it became available.”
Trainer assessor Claude Heudi helps Lek work for her qualifications. She said “He’s a massive help. We meet on a regular basis and go through my work. Claude shows me how to do certain projects and how to go about things.
“He’s a great support. Whenever you need him and contact him by text, email or phone, he responds quickly. I enjoy doing the work immensely.”
As for her managerial role, Lek says: “I like to work as a team but leadership is important too.”
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