Employer case study: El Mercado Bangkok
"We thought that working with Steps trainees we were helping them… we were absolutely wrong. Working with Steps has helped us instead, to develop the team spirit, to feel we are part of something bigger than ourself." Griselda Gras, Manager, El Mercado.A two-way partnership
El Mercado is a European style market, restaurant and grocery at various locations around Bangkok.
El Mercado founder Griselda Gras approached Steps in 2017 when she was looking for a way to diversify her workforce. Two years on she employs five graduates from the Steps vocational training centre across the business, from office to grocery to bakery. The graduates have gained invaluable skills, confidence and fulfilment from being accepted into the working environment.
Read on to find out more about El Mercado’s experience of working with Steps graduates, and to hear from the graduates themselves about how finding employment has helped them.
Read the stories
Lala’s story
Griselda Gras (Lala), manager of El Mercado, describes how she got involved with Steps and what it’s like working with our graduates.
Rajat’s story
Rajat is a Steps graduate working in one of El Mercado’s groceries.
Kim’s story
Kim graduated from the Steps vocational centre and started work in the El Mercado bakery.
Nicky’s story
Nicky started work in the office at El Mercado after completing vocational training at Steps.
More about us
Become a business partner
Steps is working with 14 business partners to help create a broad range of opportunities for our graduates.
Our trainees
We are lucky enough to work with a big group of talented, determined and enthusiastic trainees.
Our Vocational centres
Our vocational centres offer UK-accredited training in a friendly environment. Read more about them.
