Store apprentice Review

My first year was as a store assistant so that was helping customers, stock rotation, filling up stock and being on tills with include money handling. My second and third year is when I go into management side. I’ve started my second year and I have already learnt how to hold the safe and run the store. I know how to make sure my staff are aware of what they do and what areas of the store need attention. It also includes making sure money is transported to the safe correct and how to do banking.

I have learnt more about team work and how to run a team effectively. I have also learnt how to communicate better and also my customers interaction has improved.

I enjoy my programme as I love learning something new. Being part of a team and being able to lead that team successfully.

I feel valued by Aldi. Some times being a trainee manager it’s hard but you get lots of support by staff and other managers as well. I have had lots of bumps already in the second year and some members of staff have helped me over come them and i am always listened to.

With the apprenticeship side meaning all the coursework it’s very structured. My apprenticeship adviser will come in every 4 weeks if available too and we got through work books and plan every session so I know what to do for the next one. As for in store I don’t think it’s that organised. It’s a case where I go in and I could have the safe or I could be running store. It’s is written on our rota if we are having the safe but it’s not on the rota that we have to run the store. It’s also not good that sometimes having the safe we have to run store as well. It’s hard because when you got to take time away from the shop floor every hour you can’t see what exactly is going on.

I get a lot of support from my apprenticeship adviser. She’s has also said that if need be we can also text over questions that we aren’t sure of or email her. I find that the wording in the booklets is very hard to understand and she will happily go through them with me and say them a different way. That way it’s easier to answer. She will also text me before my meetings to see if everything is going okay and that if I needed any help!

I don’t feel like I get enough support from my employer. Sometimes it’s hard to do meetings with my adviser because of staff shortage which I understand but on one occasion now I have been asked to cancel my appointment. We also have a tablet to use for my apprenticeship and it has been locked away in the safe and we are not allowed to take it home. This makes it hard as we aren’t able to use it as we don’t have time in store.

My package it’s a bit stretched every month. I live away from the store so I have to think about train fares as well as rent and bills. I find the end of every month there’s not much left. Don’t think I’ve brought anything for myself in about a year now!

There have been occasions where other stores have needed other staff but for me it’s hard as I don’t drive. Other than that there’s just manager meetings which can be anywhere.

Yes

It’s a lovely company to work for, you meet so great people and make great friends. Yes Aldi is hard work and fast paced but we do that to see the smile on our customers faces. Aldi will make sure you are treated correctly and that will reflect in you pay packet.

Go for it! Aldi has a good community, you get to meet some amazing people and make some good friends as well. Aldi will support you if you have any issues or are struggling with anything also will the staff. The staff are willing to help you with anything.