Hospitality worker Niomi is on a roll after Modern Apprenticeship helps her land a promotion
Niomi Patterson-Bunyan overcame personal challenges and a career change to fast-track her way to success - by completing a Modern Apprenticeship.
The 38-year-old had to stop working with race horses after more than 20 years in the industry and started work as a food and beverage assistant at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, a Destination by Hyatt hotel in the Borders.
Niomi jumped at the chance to undertake a Modern Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership and was quickly promoted to Assistant Breakfast Manager. She plans to work her way up even further.
The mum-of-one explained: “I loved working with horses but it was just too risky because my son depends on me. Being able to earn and learn on the job was a big consideration and I couldn’t have done the qualification otherwise.
“Doing the Modern Apprenticeship helped me adapt my skills, deal with different situations and get myself where I wanted to be.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come in a short space of time - I’ve gone from washing glasses, too terrified to ever speak to guests, to running breakfasts for 180 and managing a team of 12 people.
“A Modern Apprenticeship gives you real-life experience so the learning is much more powerful than it would be in a classroom.”
Her main objective was to improve the hotel’s Hyatt Breakfast Service Score.
She analysed customer feedback, followed strategies and implemented significant changes to the breakfast service, including introducing a cooking station.
This enabled her team to successfully increase their score from 38.7% to 68.9% – and landing them an incredible third place worldwide.
The new procedures Niomi, of Kelso, introduced also reduced the staff requirement by over 50%, freeing up staff and management to focus on other departments.
Niomi was recently promoted to Assistant Breakfast Manager and is earmarked for extra supervisory roles when the Clubhouse opens later this year.
“The Modern Apprenticeship helped me progress quickly in my new career and I am excited about taking on more management roles in the future and progressing within the hospitality industry.”
Her determination to succeed has led to her being a finalist in the Modern Apprentice of the Year Level 6+ category of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
SDC-Learn Hospitality Assessor & Internal Verifier Aoife Callaghan said: “Niomi was very focused and enthusiastic about her learning.
“She enriches and encourages those around her, embraces opportunities and worked hard to build a successful career in a new industry.”
Modern Apprenticeships and apprentices are made for business, developed with employers to provide skills in demand. They are jobs open to anyone aged 16 and over who wants to work, learn and earn.
Modern Apprentices spend most of their time learning in the workplace while being supported by a learning provider, like a college, to gain an industry recognised qualification.
SCHLOSS Roxburghe Food and Beverage Operations Manager Kirsten Barrett said: “Niomi is a real asset to our business and, through her Modern Apprenticeship, she has become an even more valuable member of our team, with great prospects for progression.”
The winner of the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 6+ category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place 27 February in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot.