Management Apprentice Review

by Aldi

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

3.8/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Acting as a deputy manager. Running shifts. Completing paperwork. Learning aspects of assistant store manager role.

7/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learnt how to deal with different characters of people. My confidence has grown when entering the management process.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

Not enough understanding or support from other managers (not salaried). 3 years was too long as the NVQ was competed after 2 years so it feels like it’s been 1 year on a lower wage for no reason. No set progression plan for in store development so receiving extra training has been difficult to push.

4/10

4. How valued do you feel by Aldi?

I don’t feel massively valued by the company as I have had to beg for training and development which shouldn’t be the case on an apprenticeship programme when you take a lower wage for the training. I have consistently been put down by the management team (not salaried) for “not being a proper manager” even though my knowledge and experience exceeds theirs.

5/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The apprenticeship supplier went into administration half way through my apprenticeship. A lot of my work was lost in this transition which I had to redo. I completed my NVQ and received my certificates after 2 years, for an apprenticeship programme that can’t be fast tracked I think it’s wrong to expect someone to work for a lower wage with no in store progression plan for them.

3/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

None. Work was given to us and left to our own devices.

1/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Not much. Have to beg for training. Management team changes around too much for anyone to have training stability. The assistant managers can be supportive but they too move around too much.

4/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

Not well at all. In constant debt because my wage doesn’t meet my basic outgoings of house, bills, car, food. When you’re running shift and out performing the deputies yet they’re getting an extra £6-9 per hour extra than you it is a massive kick in the teeth and a self confidence destroyer.

1/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

Not really. The NVQ should focus on business or management, a retail NVQ is not seen as valuable.

1/10

9. Would you recommend Aldi to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I would recommend ALDI as a place to work and would recommend the apprenticeship for straight from school leavers. The apprenticeship programme is not suitable for people with dependencies and should not be pushed onto people just because they are young.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Aldi?

It’s great if you are entered into a position which is suitable for you.