Team leader Review

Team leader consists of assisting with the opening and closing duties of a food store without a village community. My role involves cash handling, leading a team of anywhere between 2-5 individuals, ensuring stock is put on the shelves and health and safety policies are followed at all times by all involved.

I have learnt many new skills since beginning my time within this position. When I began I was a very nervous individual that did not believe in my ability, however as time has gone on, I have gained valuable confidence. I have also learnt how to communicate more effectively to a range of individuals.

I enjoy the programme and all of the new experiences it has offered me. The apprentice side of the degree is particularly challenging, however support is limited. Aside from this, the experience and opportunity to work alongside individuals from different backgrounds and areas within the business has been eye opening.

The programme is very well structured. There are certain elements that seem to be in the wrong place almost within the structure however having the overview of what to expect as you move along through the degree helps you to understand why this is. The organisational side is okay. Communication could be stronger about decisions which are made.

Unfortunately I have received little support from my employer. Initially when I began the programme I was offered a lot of support, however it became apparent to me that this support was not coming and I have had to actively seek answers to questions I have and issues which I am having, there is little checking in.

Cannot fault Anglia Ruskin for the support they have provided. There have been times when the support and communication could be better, however when I approached them with this concern they ensured that they had this seen to and extra support was offered, particularly when going through challenging times with my mental health.

It certainly has opened my eyes to a whole other side of my job role that I otherwise would not have known about. There are elements of the qualification that I have really enjoyed putting into practice within my job role, such as cultural and emotional intelligence which has certainly made me a better leader.

There are currently no extra curricular activities for me to get involved in. There used to be more volunteering options throughout the business with the 3 local causes, however these seem to have gone missing in recent years and they are rarely brought up in conversations with the team or management.

Yes

Although co op is not what it used to be, there are fantastic opportunities to progress. There are chances out there though you have to actively seek them out and management are reluctant to be supportive. Aside from that the business is ran in a conscious way and is aware of the impact they can have on those around them.

Come in with an open mind. If your grandparents worked for them 40 years ago, everything is different. You will have to actively seek answers to questions, management may or may not be interested in helping you to progress, it truly depends if your face fits into what they are looking for at the time.