Apprenticeship Case Study - Nikoletta Takacs

Nikoletta Takacs

Job title: Floor Supervisor

Hotel: The Goring

Name of apprenticeship: Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor

Hello!

My name is Nikoletta, 29 years old. I am from Hungary and living in London for almost 9 years. I am working at the Goring hotel as a Floor Supervisor for 4 years, and my background and experience is practised through the time in Housekeeping.

I choose to do this apprenticeship for 2 reasons.

First of all I wanted to develop myself, to study and learn new things, build my knowledge, as my wish is to become a Head Housekeeper one day.

And second of all I had a really good example, my previous Assistant Manager who done this apprenticeship already with Umbrella and suggested me to go for it and invest in my career.

Tell us about your apprenticeship with your employer

It was a really difficult and challenging time with the pandemic. I have to say there are both positive and negative factors of it.

I was on furlough, which means I was not working for almost a year and I needed to imagine and to think of those times when I am at my duties on busy days, how the whole hotel and my department function on those periods.

While, the positive side of it, I had time to focus on my studies and practice, get my homeworks done and do research.

We had online sessions and that's completely different from face to face conversations and seeing each other.

At work, we had our usual trainings with Human Resources and hotel staff, also with my department a zoom meeting on Friday evenings, to keep in touch and look after each others well-being.

And from the whole situation we have learned a lot of new methods of cleaning for our guests safety and health, create new and easier ways to look at our menu for example using QR code, all the TV have new installation so guests can use their own phone as a remote control. To keep the safe distance and look out for each other.

What do you love about your apprenticeship? 

I do love about my apprenticeship that I could meet and talk to new people from different departments, which is important in my own development I would say open my eyes and see wider. Getting to know their job and their hotel, they way their workload goes day by day. Because, I want to grow in my career as a leader you need to know basic how hotel works from booking a room until check out.

And this I can say for my favourite part too, seeing productivity, helping and lifting up one another. As a small old-fashioned boutique hotel at The Goring the well-being of our staff are matters and you are recognized for your job.

So, I call this special in a belonged way, not just to the hotel but to our teams. We know our duties and respect the company's vision and organistion as well as each others position in it.

Have you discovered a hidden talent or passion whilst learning at work? 

Yes, I am a passionate baker.

I make personalised birthday cakes and sweet tables for birthday parties, including cupcakes, cakesicles and 3D hearts.

I don't have a degree or any course, only what I saw and learned from my mom when I was little, and I developed, parctised a lot and just love it.

I am excited to see the happinness on peoples faces and the good feedback on the taste too.

I started about 4 years ago and I did prove a lot since then, as well I have orders at least 2 each month.

My apprenticeship and Anja, my dear teacher helped me to believe in myself and be confident and I can't thank enough for that.

Like this, I decided to advertise myself and I am working on it at the moment, to have a social media account just for cakes.

Can you tell us a good memory or memorable moment from your time as an apprentice?

Before Covid-19 happened and we could still have our monthly sessions in different hotels and places it was interesting and incredible.

Also, I was glad that The Goring was one of our first hotels to stay into and I could show around to the rest of my classmates. I love all the stories of my hotel and always happy to talk about it.

How did Umbrella Training support you during your apprenticeship? 

I had 2 teachers during my apprenticeship, first of all was Jamie then from January 2020 was Anja. I have to say a big thank you for both, because they have been always there when I needed, made me confident and motivated when I felt a bit down.

I get really demotivated times to times. As well, the virus situation and the lockdown didn't help this feeling at all but Anja was always there and have even 1 to 1 sessions to talk through what we've learnt and not to give up. I couldn't ask for a better support from my apprenticeship, from Umbrella, it means to me a lot.

Also, I am here filling up this form for her, as she thought of me as a hidden talent and makes me emotional when I used to think that I wouldn't be able to finish my whole apprenticeship.

So, Thank You.

“Nikoletta has been fantastic to work with. Seeing her succeed and never giving up has been wonderful.

Best of all, I got regular images from the most amazing cakes in the world.”

Anja, Umbrella Training LC

“Nikoletta really impressed us with her dedication and efforts towards her NVQ and I am delighted that during this difficult time she managed to continue with her work and complete the apprenticeship efficiently. We are very proud of Nikoletta.”

Fernanda Lewis, Head Housekeeper