A FORMER bingo manager has swapped full houses for hotels and become the 200th person helped into work by a Swindon-based training organisation.

Alastair Thompson, who has previously worked in bingo management, has been appointed night receptionist at Premier Inn Swindon North after being supported by TBG Learning Swindon.

The 32-year-old, of Liden, had been out of work for 12 months before being introduced to Premier Inn, which is part of the Whitbread group.

Alastair said: “Whitbread is a really big organisation and has good opportunities to progress within Premier Inn.

“It’s nice to have settled down and to have got a foot in the door at a good company. I’d found it difficult to find a job ever since the debt company I was working for went into administration about 12 months ago.

“Prior to that I’d worked in bingo management for nine years and a lot of the customer service skills from that role stood me in good stead for this job.

“The team at TBG Learning were really supportive from the moment I was introduced to them.

“They helped me with my CV writing and gave me advice on how to approach interviews, and it was not long after first meeting them I was offered two jobs they put me forward for.”

TBG Learning is delivering the Government’s flagship work programme on behalf of JobFit, which helps the long-term unemployed into work through a tailored package of support and assistance.

The company, which is based in Minton Place, Station Road, has now helped more than 200 people living in the area gain employment since June.

Janet Cowley, the operations manager at Swindon North Premier Inn, said Alastair has already become an important member of the team.

“Alastair has settled in with us well. He is a nice man who has a wealth of experience, so we were keen for him to join our team ever since he was introduced to us by TBG Learning,” she said.

James Manners, TBG Learning Swindon business manager, said: “From the moment we met Alastair it was clear he had strong experience and skills and had been unlucky in many ways that he found himself out of work.” For more information visit www.tbglearning.com.