Category Assistant - Sun Care Review

I am the category assistant in Supply for the Sun Care team. This involves making sure I reach the businesses targets and KPI's. On a day to day basis I am in communication with suppliers, making sure that the right stock is in the right place at the right time. Some of my main suppliers are St.Tropez and Bondi Sands.

I have learnt to be more confident in my self and the decisions I make. I have developed my time management skills and learnt that I wont complete tasks necessarily if I just write them down on a to do list, but instead, I put time in my diary to complete these tasks and that suits better.

I love the fact that I am gaining a qualification as well as having a full time job in such a successful business. I believe that I am learning in the best way and that not everyone gets such a fantastic opportunity. It gives you loads of different options and paths to go down.

I feel like development is the centre of Boots. We are all very focused on peoples future, where they want to be and how they are going to get there. This increases my job satisfaction, trusting in the business and knowing that I have the capability to achieve.

The work side of the apprenticeship is really well structured. You have your first year placement and then a different second year placement to ensure you get a wide breath of the business and learn different skills in alternative job roles, which is great. The only downside to this apprenticeship I would say is the college aspect. The tutor that we have constantly changes the standards set, e.g. deadlines, word count etc. This in itself is very confusing. She does not mark our work when she says she will.

We do not recieve a lot of support from our training provider, I believe that she does not always necessarily know what she is talking about. When we have our weekly lectures it is as if she is just reading off of the powerpoint. I might as well stay at home and read them myself.

I recieve a lot of support from my employer. I have weekly 1:1 sessions with my lead ASM where we go through things I am uncertain of. I have twice weekly meetings with my line manager to discuss my development which is really beneficial.

In terms of apprentices, Boot's pay is really good for its employers. The only issue I have is that previous apprentices say that the pay does not change that much after the scheme is finished, which I hope is not the case.

There are loads of different opportunities to get involved in, e.g. away days, coroporate games, charity events etc. I have been involved in some of these and it brings everyone together whilst you are learning new skills and knowlege.

Yes

Because it is a fantastic place to work where they really do have your best thought in mind! The business gives you flexibility and trust in the fact that you are doing a great job in your job role.

Be yourself, ask any questions you think are stupid, get the support you need! Make sure that you are determined to be the best you can be and Boots will enable this to happen through personal development opportunities.