Valentina already has some experience in working in the hospitality industry. She worked as a hotel housekeeper in a hotel in Bujanovacka banja, but it was a seasonal job, after which she had to find another job to support her family.

Despite her experience, she applied for the training on the employment opportunities in the hospitality industry in order to broaden her knowledge about the industry, and to have a chance to further advance her skills.  She emphasizes that the part of the training focusing on labour law was also important for her. “I have learnt a lot, about the labour law and about discrimination. I feel more independent, empowered and have different perspective of my role,” she adds.

While at the training, she showed great interest in the topics that were discussed and a desire to learn more. Hence, she also applied for internship in the Hotel “Royal Putnik” in Vranje. “I have lovely impressions from the practice in the hotel, everyone was helpful, they are like a family.” She also adds that the hotel staff expect you to be tidy and hardworking and, if you have a problem with the guests or any other kind of a problem, there is no reason to fear, and you can address the management and everything is resolved quickly and efficiently.

Since this is one of the best hotels in Vranje, smiling, Valentina points out that she would love to work in such conditions. The internship in the hotel enabled her to get acquainted with the functioning of the hotel system, to get trained in a prestigious hotel, and to see what kind of opportunities there might be in the market and to strive to grab them.

After the internship, Valentina received additional stipend to complete an advanced housekeeping training course which is, as she states, more desirable and better paid. She hopes that, once the opportunity has been given, she might find a job in the hospitality industry again and remain there.

Her ambition does not end there, as she states that she is motivated to gain further experience and, after a while, to replace the position of the maid for the one of a supervisor.

She points out that all young people should use the given opportunities, be patient, expand their knowledge and believe that the opportunity will come.

The training, internship and stipends were organized and provided within the project “Improving access for Roma communities to employment opportunities in the hospitality industry”, funded by Hilton Global Foundation and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.