Store Apprentice Review

My role is similar to a store assistants. Its my job to help make sure the stock is put out onto the shelves with the right rotation. Im also required to be on the tills when needed and to make sure products are scanned at the right prices. A typical day would usually involve solving customer queries and ensuring all products are out and ensuring any wastage is recorded correctly.

I have learnt many new skills through the duration of my apprenticeship. I have been on 2 courses since I started, one of which was a first aid course which was very helpful to me and gave me future preparation if anything were to happen in store. The main skills I have learnt in store are using the till, rotation of products, and prioritising specific tasks. These all come into use every day because they allow me to operate efficiently and play my part in keeping the store running smoothly. I also have my own tutor come into store every month for 1-2 hour sessions. These sessions usually require me to complete workbooks but some are practical in which they observe me in store. These have come in useful because completing the workbooks have made me see more about retail and the store as a whole.

I enjoy my programme a lot because I get to work with a team of good people who all have good morals and I am able to get on with. Having a good team around me motivates me more to do well and work. ALDI, as a company have taken good care of me and made sure that I was trained and comfortable enough before I went out and did my own tasks. I got given good training at the start of my apprenticeship which prepared me for future months. The programme has exceeded my expectations because I didn't know what to expect. As it was my first job, everything was new to me and everything came as a challenge. I enjoy the programme because there is always a task to do and you are never standing around looking for something or waiting on someone else. The people I work with are great and thats the main reason I enjoy doing it.

I feel like I am valued highly by Aldi because I am always given a chance at different tasks and I am always appreciated. Although I feel highly valued I don't feel like I'm treated differently to any other store assistant. This makes it more comfortable to me because I don't want to be seen as an exception or the odd one out. My manager is great is always on hand to give me advice or help me with something if I'm struggling. The same goes for the other Assistant/Deputy managers, they are all very helpful and don't hesitate to help me if I need it. I am always involved with tasks around the shop floor and have been involved in every area of the store.

The programme is well organised because it all fits into place and everything comes smoothly. My induction into the course was great because it allowed me to see around the store and get an insight into what it was id be doing. The same goes for my training period. I was always helped and they took me through tasks step by step to ensure that I was comfortable with what I was doing. Ive always received good support from my colleagues and managers which has made it easier to do tasks. As previously said I have a mentor that comes in about once a month and goes over what I've been doing or we sit down and do workbooks related to the course. The programme over all has been well organised and it has worked out well for me.

I receive a good amount of support from my tutor as they are on hand to help me with the workbooks and are also available to help me with an questions that I might have about the course. Their attitude towards me has always come across as very supportive and understanding. It helps me because it makes me feel like they are approachable and I can go to them with any problems or queries that I might have.

Like with my tutor I get a good amount of support from my employer. They are like everyone else and are open to any questions that I have and are willing to help me if I need it. I haven't needed any extra support and I haven't had any problems whilst I have been with the company but I know that if I were to have any or needed any extra help, I know that I could go to them and they would be able to sort it out for me. They're attitude with me is like everyone else's and thats that they are approachable and are willing to help me. I feel like they are very warm towards me and happy to help.

My current salary is no problem for me. It is less than a store assistants but I don't ever feel like I am in a bad situation or that id need extra. My living costs are not a problem as I don't live alone so luckily for me the expenses aren't that much. My travel costs are not a problem as I only live about 5-10 minutes drive away from the store so I don't use that much fuel getting to and from work. I am easily able to balance my social and daily costs to make sure that I have to enough to buy daily things e.g lunch, but still have enough to do things elsewhere. My social costs take up most of my income but it doesn't create a problem for other costs that I have to pay for.

I haven't participated in any company events since I've been working with the company. I haven't really heard about many opportunities to do so other than one which I was told there would be a football tournament between different Aldi stores. If this does come up I am more than happy to take part in it. Outside of work the only leisure clubs I take part in is going to the gym. I haven't looked at other clubs whilst working because I think it will be hard to get the time off to go to all the sessions with my rota. I wouldn't want to have to to trouble the managers in asking for specific days off each week. I do go to watch football on the weekends whenever I get the time off to do so. When I wasn't working I would play for a football team with my friends but since I started working I found it hard to balance playing and working.

Yes

Its a great company to work for because you get good benefits from working here and there is always something to do when you are at work. Its completely different to something like an office job and allows you to interact with and meet lots of new people whether through customers or colleagues. The salary is good for all workers as well which makes it even better to come and work here. Not only are you surrounded by a good team of people but you pick up a good salary as well. I would also recommend it to any other people looking for an apprenticeship because its a high detailed and well organised course to go on. The training and induction phases are good because you get a real insight into what the job requires and what you will be doing.

The main bit of advice I would give to someone applying for Aldi is to make sure they do their research before they apply. The reason I say this is because there are so many different tasks you will be given on a day to day basis and you need to make sure that you are prepared to do them. In terms of their application, they need to be thorough and be confident in themselves when pointing out their strengths. Be confident in the interview and make sure you go dressed smartly and again, come prepared. With regards to other bits of information, they need to make sure they ask questions. Its important to come into this job knowing exactly what they are going to be doing and understanding whats expected of them. Its appealing to the managers if you show an interest, however, you will learn a lot of new things when you come into the job and start to get into it.