Buying & Merchandising apprentice Review

by Matalan

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5.5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

This has changed frequently as I’ve been moved teams a lot, right now I am just in the sample room tidying day to day and opening post

2/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Yes on merchandising I learnt lots of new skills such as raising orders, intake management, updating range Monitors and sending out intake trackers

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I really enjoy the apprenticeship and the lesson as although it’s majority on teams you learn a lot, the tutors are very supportive and always willing to help us develop and progress

9/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The apprenticeship is very structured however in terms of my work in matalan this isn’t very structured at all and I don’t feel I have a proper role, it’s very dependent on what team you’re put on

5/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

In terms of study days I usually get one a week, however in terms of learning and development in my career not a lot

4/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

The FRA are so supportive and are always willing to help, they want us all to progress and if we are ever stuck on anything they’re there to help

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

As I don’t feel like I have a proper role in the business my apprenticeship work can’t really be applied to everyday work life

3/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

N/a

3/10

9a. Would you recommend Matalan to a friend?

9b. Why?

I don’t feel like apprentices are given proper opportunity to develop which is a shame as the qualifications we can get through the FRA is such a good opportunity it’s a shame this can’t be applied to Matalan

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Matalan?

Set boundaries from the beginning and asked to be trained up the same as if another trainee buyer/merch was starting, and not get trained up as just an apprentice as you will never get to develop that way