Sophie Mason spent two weeks at Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury wanting to focus on improving her knowledge and confidence around customer service.

She enjoyed all aspects of working on the reception desk including scanning and signing in customers, answering the phones and said everyone was really helpful and friendly.

Sophie impressed staff at Five Rivers so much that they got in touch with her tutor to tell her. They also offered her a permanent placement and she is due to start working there very soon.

Rachel Egan, Customer Services Specialist Manager at the leisure centre, said:

“Sophie was brilliant. She was an amazing help to me and my team over a very busy half term and was eager to help out. She also learnt very quickly, which was brilliant.”

Sophie joined Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Salisbury campus from school to study Travel & Tourism and her ambition is to become cabin crew in the Royal Air Force.

She progressed from the Level 2 onto the Level 3 and is looking forward to completing her cabin crew training in the second year of the course. Sophie, aged 17, said: “Completing the cabin crew training at College will enable me to go in to the RAF as a sergeant.

“Many people wouldn’t think of travel and tourism and the armed forces together. For me it’s the perfect combination.

“A big part of being cabin crew is customer service and that’s why I wanted a placement that would help me increase my knowledge around that area, but also my confidence as well.

“I really enjoyed my work experience at Five Rivers and definitely feel more confident dealing with different situations that may arise.

“I am looking forward to starting working there in a couple of weeks time.

“Once I have finished College I hope to be able to start my basic training with the RAF at Brize Norton.”

At Wiltshire College & University Centre, students can study Travel & Tourism at our Salisbury, Trowbridge and Chippenham campuses.