Meet Tui UK's Retail Apprentice of the Year
One of more than 140 apprentices working in Tui’s retail estate, Molly Paterson was nominated by her team and then judged on various criteria by the company’s senior management. She takes us through the highlights of her fledgling career in travel
Within our store, we have 24 travel consultants, so it’s really busy and buzzing. We are located at Manchester’s Trafford Centre, which gives us a very mixed customer base of all age groups – every day is different.
In the last few months I’ve made a number of beach holiday bookings for families, couples, groups and a few solo travellers. Some of our most popular destinations have been Mexico, Turkey and Greece. I can feel my confidence growing as I’ve been learning how to use our internal systems better and am finding it easier to help both customers and colleagues.
I’ve also attended roadshows that have boosted my knowledge. For example, at a Visit Orlando roadshow, I met with different suppliers such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Florida’s Space Coast and the Orlando Magic basketball team, which was so beneficial, because we do so much Orlando. I have also completed more online Tui training to keep up to date with our systems and everything that’s coming up within the company.
I speak to a few of the other apprentices within my region both inside and outside of work. We had an apprentice day a few months back where we all met up and did a day of training together – since then a few of us have become friends and speak to each other often, helping each other with enquiries and travel tips. I also have regular calls every four weeks with my mentor, Leanne, who is brilliant. Now we are discussing the final steps of my apprenticeship and what the plan is going forwards.
TEAM BONDING
But it’s not all been work… we have been out as a team a number of times in recent months – this added social life is a bonus of working in such a big store. We recently went out to Flight Club in Manchester for pizzas, drinks and to play darts together for my birthday. When we are at work, it’s so busy we never really have the chance to catch up, so it is nice to discuss things other than work matters on a night out. It really helps us bond as a team.
This year I’ve also been on a Virgin Voyages cruise with my boyfriend, Dan. We flew to Barcelona and sailed to Marseille, Cannes, Majorca and Ibiza. I learnt a lot about the cruise line and how they operate – it’s impressive they have more than 20 places to eat onboard and no traditional buffet!
I also went to Dubai this year where I stayed for 10 nights at The Palm. I went with my dad as we flew out to visit my older sister who is currently living and working there. Next, I’m going on holiday to Cyprus in September for seven nights and staying in a Tui hotel.
I’m always looking for opportunities to travel because I find it so much easier to sell destinations to clients when I’ve experienced them for myself – it comes more from my heart.
In the last month I sat my exams and completed my full apprenticeship course – and have just heard I achieved a distinction in my grades. I am so chuffed and excited by this because I worked so hard to finish everything on time and complete the work to the best of my ability. It feels like a massive achievement and now I’m excited to become a full-time travel advisor and to start working my way up the ladder within Tui.
Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities in Tui UK.
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Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
