Store Apprentice Review

I am currently a Store Apprentice and I currently take on the same tasks as a Store Assistant, which means I am on tills for most of my time in store but I also spend a lot of time on the shop floor completing other tasks such as; Putting stock out which includes rotating stock, carding which is removing any unneeded card on the shop floor in order to keep the store in a clean state. Other tasks include dealing with customers enquiries, cleaning etc.

Yes, I believe my communication skills have seriously improved and this is because I am dealing with customers for a lot of my time in store as I am always talking to new people on the tills. I learnt other new skills such as using a pump truck, using a baling machine and other equipment within the store.

Aldi is a brilliant place to work, everyone I have met through working in the store have been very friendly and welcoming ever since I started working in the shop. Whenever I have needed help with anything, my team/colleagues have always been there to help me get through it. The first few weeks are very difficult because you have to work very hard, but you get rewarded with a very good hourly pay and within about a month of working there, everything becomes like second nature to you.

I feel very valued, as long as I am working to my very best, I get praise from my superiors which is always something that is very good to hear from them.

I think I could have got a bit more training when I first started, the manager gave me quick idea of how the place works, by me shadowing him for an hour or so and he gave me a quick idea on how to work the tills, but I think I could have got a bit more because at times I have felt like I had no idea what to do in some situations.

My training provider does very well, she helps me with any work that she has set me and she is always making sure I am ok when in our meetings and is always asking if the job is going well and if I am enjoying it or not.

My manager/assistant managers/deputies are all very helpful in store, they are always informing me of what I need to do next and are always checking to make sure I am doing a good job and if I am doing well, I get praise but If I'm not working hard enough, they will give me time to finish a certain task, which pushes me to work harder.

I still live at home with my mum, so the pay works out well for me as I don't have many outgoing costs but even though I am an apprentice, it doesn't feel good knowing the people who are doing the exact same job as me (Store Assistants), are getting an extra £2 an hour compared to me.

Yes, the team I work with have little get-togethers every now and again, for events such as birthdays, leaving parties and Christmas drinks, which is good for me to get to know my colleagues outside of workplace.

Yes

It's a brilliant store and a very friendly environment, it offers a good pay for people applying for the store assistant job and offers many opportunities to further your career.

I'd tell them that they need to always be working hard and always be prepared to give 100% to the store and then in turn they will be rewarded by the store.