Apprentice Review

Gaining an understanding of store operations such as receiving and moving stock from the Warehouse out onto the shop floor. Understanding till work such as scanning items, completing transactions, customer queries etc

I have learnt about becoming more proactive and more productive on the shop floor such as getting more available stock onto shelves and getting said stock out quickly and efficiently. Built communication skills with staff and customers as well. Taking a more hands on and methodical approach to questions and problems that may arise.

I enjoy the fact I can make a customers day with excellent customer service and care as well as gaining their loyalty to the company through low costs combined with a quick and enjoyable shopping experience.

I feel valued by both managers and store assistants. Both can give me important information and helpful tips and tricks to improve my performance and increase productivity. I do feel, however, the management can be rather isolated sometimes by not interacting with store assistants or helping to build morale but recently I have seen a change in that.

Very well organised. Every month my Apprentice training provider will contact or visit me and discuss previously discussed areas of concern or action. From there we look at my progression since then and what I need to work on in time for her next visit. The hours in my contract are always met and rotas are arranged up to 4 weeks in advance meaning I can prepare for shifts easier and if need be call in to let management know if I won’t be able to carry out a shift due to unexpected circumstances.

A lot. She allows me to message her or call her whenever I have a problem with my training, my apprenticeship in general or even for updates on our next meeting should they change. She also comes prepared with a list of criteria for us to go over and discuss which points have or haven’t been covered yet. She is very professional.

A lot. If I have any personal problems or issues relating to individuals in the workplace or potential hazards to customers or staff they always listen. Once I was feeling I was not being listened to by others so I took it to one of the Assistant Store Managers who listened to my problem and helped give me reassurance and support that helped improve how I was feeling the next day when I came in.

Very well. Usually I pay £180 a month for rent along with £90 (Used to be £80) for a monthly bus pass. All in all that leaves me with roughly £450-£550 depending on hours worked in a month. This is ample pay for me to buy things I need such as clothes, food etc

In terms of socialising, it can vary depending on the days I work and how long I work for on those days. Some days I will come home and have only less than 12-10 hours until I have to wake up again to start my next shift which can be a bit annoying sometimes. Usually I have 2 days of per week which is fine for me to relax and enjoy myself.

Yes

It’s a chance to really pace yourself in a work environment which can change in a heartbeat. One moment you can be putting bread out on shelves, the next you can be serving several customers on till.

Fitness. This job can be physically demanding at times. Heavy pallets, stocking up shelves with little time available, lifting objects etc. It pays to be able enough to carry out these tasks before moving on to another equally demanding task. Think on your feet. Situations can develop in a flash so it’ll be helpful to be able to come up with a quick but suitable solution to a given problem. Be tough but caring. Sometimes you will have some of the best customers possible. Those who are happy, like to chat, like to laugh etc but then sometimes you will have customers who may not be so kind. Sometimes they will be rather rude towards you but it’s vital you shake off any hurt or pain it may have caused and move on to the next task. A clear mind is better for working.