Manager Review

My role involves shift planning and running, delegating jobs, target setting, payroll, food safety/ health and safety supervision. Delivering the brand standards of what the company require.

I have learnt many new skills, a better understanding of the hospitality sector, customer service skills and trade acts to protect customers aswell as the business.

I really enjoyed learning new things, expanding my knowledge and skills. The tutor really helped when I was really nervous, and showed me that it was more simple than what I thought it was, as I over thought a lot.

It was very organised, the learning was really left to the student, it was ok for me as I am organised, but I think if they had it more organised, doing some work actually at work, where the help is, it probably would have been a lot better. I did struggle abit, having time to do the course, as I am fulltime, have children I have to care for and run around, family I have to work round, and childcare issues and whilst also doing a management course at the same time. So abit more structure and some learning at work would have probably made it a lot less stressful for me. Not necessarily with a tutor, but so you have more time and not have the stress, of going home, dealing with a house then fitting in time for apprentiship work, or spending all weekend doing it instead of spending time recovering from work.

They were great for helping with knowledge or helping with research, encouraging me, supporting me, but not very supportive in giving you time to do it, while at work if your struggling, or working round your apprenticeship meetings, making you feel like its putting them out. I don't have a lot of time as it is, and no time to myself, so did make it hard working around children, childcare, family and work, and it did affect me mentally due to stress. I had support from my people manager, she did everything she could to help me, even out of hours.

They helped me when I needed them, vie email or meetings, I was pretty self sufficient so didn't need a lot of help, they reassured me, made me feel more confident, encouraged me and helped me through out. He was very understanding, supportive and made me feel relaxed, especially about the tests, as I hadn't done any official tests since I was at school, about 16 years ago! I always had someone there to help. I feel more confident now, cant wait to start this one.

It has given me a better understanding into the hospitality sector, how I can make my store better, my skills better, what is expected of me and others. It also has refreshed my memory of what we should be doing and how we deliver the customer service.

We have crew events, we get a list of events and we vote for which 1 we would like, some of the crew go out together, but I struggle with childcare so cant go to most of them. We have love where you live which is during work time, events to look after the community, litter picking, building animal homes, cleaning up nature reserves or wherever asked. I sometimes socialise with other crew but its hard to get childcare, so do not do very often, when asked. Quiz nights, tubing, pleasure wood hills, team building exercises.

Yes

Its fairly flexible around your needs, especially if you have childcare you have to work around, or any appointments. Good competitive rates of pay. Great progression opportunities. Free food during breaks. Good support network, days out, rewards for working well and employee discounts.

I would say be clear on what hours you can do, as the more flexible you are, the more options they have to actually give you enough shifts that you need, make good eye contact, smile, dress how they ask you to dress (smart). Show them your best customer service skills, be willing to work hard in a fast paced environment but have fun at the same time.