Deputy manager Review

My role is to support the store manager with the day to day managing of the store and our team. To be able to fulfil the managers role when they are absent. To ensure that we provide the best customer service possible whilst maximising sales, adhering to profit protection budgets and KPI's as well as ensuring we are legally compliant.

I am currently half way through my apprenticeship but have already developed new skills and improved on existing skills through learning different techniques and strategies. It has also helped me learn more about myself. It has challenged me to be more self aware and realise that although sometimes you feel like you tick a box there are other ways to do things which can be better and more beneficial for you and your team.

I would highly recommend the programme to everyone. Not only does it develop your skills in retail and as a leader but it also helps you learn things about yourself you may have been unaware of. It helps you overcome barriers you may struggle with. The support you receive from your learning coaches is amazing and couldn't fault it at all. My coach has even helped me with aspects i struggle with due to having dyslexia and dyspraxia which you can use these skills in life not just your career.

The programme is very well organised and structured. The criteria is set out into modules and the modules are grouped together that are relevant to eachother. Each month is assigned a specific amount of modules to try and break down the course for you into timeframes advised to help you stay on track. There is also a recommended amount of hours per month to try help you plan your workload and spread it out evenly.

My employer supports the programme alot. Allowing time for you to have regular reviews with your learning coach. Helping support you in gathering activities for off the job learning. By working closely with your learning mentor to discuss your current performance and areas they feel you may need extra support.

The support received from the training provider is outstanding! They are always available to help whenever you need to reach out. They not only help with working towards your qualification and keeping you on track but they also carry out regular checks on your personal wellbeing and provide support where needed with this too.

I feel it helps me perform better in my role as it opens your mind up to things you may have been unaware of or thought you done well but actually you could do better. It makes you more self aware and really helps with your leadership and communication skills as well as skills such as customer service, maximising sales, law and many more.

From time to time we will have a staff night out and the money from social fund gained from winning incentives usually helps towards the cost of this. There are professional networking events that take place for example regional road shows, managers conference, area meetings, talking shop meetings. However these are mainly for managers and talking shop reps only.

Yes

For a career in retail it is quite well paid. They do offer some good reward schemes and it is a company where you can progress your career and take part in apprenticeships. It is a company that is quite well known for job security and also there are opportunities to move around within the company.

To be prepared that retail is not as easy as a lot of people think it is. It can be a very physically and mentally demanding career at times. However it can also be very self satisfying job, with plenty of laughs and opportunities if you work at it. It's down to your outlook on retail and commitment to work hard on whether you will like it or not.