This VET case study presentation was delivered by participant Natalie Dixon, during the Employability workshop of the May 2016 Learning Networks event held in Manchester.

1. Natalie Dixon
Tenerife International Management Experience
May 2014.

2. Tenerife May 2014

3. Christopher Hurst
I loved the work experience in
Tenerife as it gave me a real insight
into Spanish culture and what it’s like
to live and work away from home. I
didn’t think I could do it and now I’ve
developed my independence and the
ability to think on my feet. This
experience has helped me gain a
position as an Overseas
Representative with Thomas Cook this
summer. The placement in Tenerife
definitely gave me the confidence and
determination to see something
through. I also gained team working
skills that I am going to need in my
new role this summer.

4. Sophie Higginson
Following my degree I am currently
studying my PGDE at the University of
Bolton. Participating in the Tenerife work
experience project was one of the hardest
things I have done as I felt lonely and
isolated at times because I found the
language barrier difficult in the work
place. I am really glad I did it now as I feel
a real sense of achievement! Now I have
had the experience in different areas of
hotel management and developed my
resilience which will serve me well in my
studies and future teaching career.

5. Rebecca Powell
I really enjoyed my time in Tenerife and it
helped being supported by the team. I got
the opportunity to work in many different
areas within the hotel and to explore the
island. I am now able to put my passion for
travel and my resort knowledge into
practice working for Thomas Cook. It is a
great advantage to have first hand
knowledge and experience of the Island of
Tenerife as before I went I didn’t realise
how different north and south Tenerife
were and this helps me in my job now. I
also have an understanding of how the
hotel industry operates.

6. Christina Applebee
Successfully completed her
placement and is currently
working in the hospitality and
catering sector whilst seeking
a career in the Event Industry.

7. Mudassar Raja
Although Mudassar returned to
the UK for personal reasons
during his placement he
completed his studies
successfully and has now
secured a career with British
Airways as a Customer Service
Agent at their office in
Manchester.

8. Faisal Zafar
“I totally embraced every opportunity the
Tenerife placement gave me and really
enjoyed being one of the hotel team. I did
extra duties and shifts when necessary and
even helped out in hotel maintenance as
well as in the kitchen. As a fluent German
speaker I was able to develop my existing
language skills and practice my Spanish.
My confidence has developed as the hotel
management recognised my enthusiasm
and rewarded me with more and more
opportunities and responsibility. I am
currently seeking a graduate scheme and
have registered with employment agencies
who specialise in travel recruitment as I’d
like to work for an International
organisation.”

9. Bryony Billington
Bryony was able to undertake her
first ever work experience
placement. She hopes to return to
education and study her PGDE
when her youngest son is able to go
to nursery. Currently she is enjoying
her time with her new baby son.