Johana has always dreamed of working in the hotel industry. However, when she arrived in Switzerland, her dream seemed out of reach. The young woman was soon confronted with reality, and finding a job proved to be very difficult.
But not impossible.
A year after starting her apprenticeship at the Lake Geneva Hotel in Versoix, Yojoa spoke to Johana and her manager and trainer Amandine, to take stock of the obstacles she has overcome, the progress she has made and the ambitions that continue to guide her today.
Of Eritrean origin, Johana was born in Saudi Arabia, where she gained her first six years' experience as a receptionist in a hotel in Jeddah. Despite this solid experience and her knowledge of several languages (Tigrigna, Arabic and English), when she arrived in Switzerland she came up against some major obstacles: the French language and the lack of recognised qualifications.
"It was really difficult",says Johana.
While struggling to find a job, Johana is referred by Hospice Général and put in touch with Yojoa. Through Yojoa's mentoring program, she benefits from tailor-made support that helps her improve her CV, conduct job searches, highlight her skills during job interviews and gives her all the tools necessary to decipher and understand the Swiss professional world.
"I love being in contact with customers and making them happy." Johana
In 2023, Yojoa contacted the former manager of the Lake Geneva Hotel to discuss Johana's situation. Interested in the idea of helping a young woman from a migrant background, he spoke to Amandine, who was in charge of recruitment for the hotel's accommodation department. Johana applied and was called for an interview. She followed a standard recruitment process and convinced Amandine of her motivation, determination and sense of service. After a pre-qualification course, Johana was hired as an apprentice receptionist for three years, and began her training as a hotel specialist. Amandine became her manager and trainer.
"What prompted us to collaborate with Johana is her motivation and our desire to help her get by in Switzerland. It is complicated to find a job without diplomas today. If no company gives young people the chance to study, it is indeed difficult to start a career. We wanted to give her this chance to be able to stay and live in Switzerland. Amandine, on Johana's recruitment.
Although Johana didn't master French at the beginning of her apprenticeship, through determination, she quickly improved by taking courses alongside her work. Her integration into the team happened naturally. Her colleagues welcomed her warmly and helped her train in reception. In addition to her professionalism, Johana enriched the team with her international experience.
Today, her apprenticeship is going very well. She's very happy.
Yojoa followed Johana's recruitment closely, supporting both parties throughout the process until the apprenticeship contract was finalized. Indeed, Yojoa guided Amandine and the hotel's HR on all issues related to the recruitment of a person from a migrant background, such as the authorities to contact in case of specific questions, for example.
"Thanks to your association, we were able to obtain a whole range of additional information that enabled us to take on Johana on a pre-qualification course and then on an apprenticeship. Everything went quickly and easily." Amandine
Building on this experience, Amandine encourages companies to dare to give young people from migrant backgrounds a chance to meet them, talk about their career aspirations and not let themselves be influenced by prejudices linked to foreign origins. "You have to meet them and see their motivation and determination", she emphasizes, and insists on the importance of these factors, essential according to her, in the commitment of a candidate today.
Faced with the professional difficulties that young people in similar situations may encounter, Johana and Amandine advise them to never give up. Try, persevere and stay positive - these are the keys to overcoming obstacles. Effort will inevitably be rewarded.
"It’s great that an association like Yojoa exists and can help young people find a job. Everyone should be able to meet Manuel*." Johana
A dream come true.
Johana’s story is that of a person determined to make her way in the Swiss hotel industry, despite the obstacles linked to her atypical background. She is a striking example of how individual perseverance combined with support and the openness of companies to diversity can turn a dream into reality.
Today, at the end of her first year of apprenticeship, Johana is more motivated than ever to pursue her career in hospitality and plans to continue her studies after the apprenticeship to explore other facets of this field that she is so passionate about.
"It's important that your association is widely known among young people, because we can see the help it's has brought to Johana." Amandine
Yojoa is happy to have been at Johana's side from the very beginning of her Swiss career and wishes her a bright future in the hotel industry.
*Manuel, young talent coach.
