Driver apprentice Review

As an apprentice driver my role is to carry out tasks in relation to the delivery of loads, which are going to ALDI stores, some days I have to load the vehicles but now I have my license I am on the road and delivery to stores, which involves unloading the pallets with stock on and bringing back any empty pallets to the RDC. As a driver I am also responsible for making sure the vehicle I am driving is fit for purpose and road worthy, which involves doing my daily vehicle checks.

I have learnt how to drive a class 2 hgv and will be learning how to drive class 1 hgv's soon. This is obviously a skill that I have gained and has also helped me take more notice while driving and of my surroundings. I think I have improved the ability to assess certain situations and whether I need help or can deal with the task at hand on my own. I have learned to be patient and understand that it is better to stay calm and be patient, rather than have the possibility of an accident.

The people in my workplace are very welcoming and have eased me in to working at aldi. There is a happy feel to the workplace and this helps with day to day tasks and making the day run smoothly. My programme can be tricky at times and even stressful, but even when it is, it's never really a bad day. I enjoy the interaction between colleagues, and it is good to be your own boss for parts of the day.

I feel like I am valued in some ways as an employee and managers do seem to care about your wellbeing and how you are feeling. However sometimes there is the feeling that maybe employees are not listened to and I perhaps feel that in certain days my best doesn't seem good enough, however, having said that, there are managers who seem very grateful of the work I/we do and it is good to feel valued not just by management but my colleagues, who often will help each other out.

My programme is fairly organised, there was always a certain plan/time frame on when things should be completed and how we should be progressing throughout the year. I think the programme could possibly be more structured with fixed dates for test entries etc, but it has to be taken in to account that this is all respective to how I and us as apprentices are progressing and obviously if time off is taken for holidays etc. I think I was given all the training and information I was needed and, the programme seemed to run smoothly throughout the year. There was always frequent communication between the apprentice company and managers who would pass it on to us, and we would often be in touch with out apprenticeship mentor as well.

I think I receive an adequate amount of support from my training provider, we are given sufficient contact information if we were to ever have any problems and felt like we needed to talk about the apprenticeship. I think the majority of support comes from my employer, but both employer and training provider work together and make sure that I have all the support I need.

I think I receive a good amount of support from my employer, they are always there to explain things or even to just have a word if you feel like it is needed. We receive support when needed, and to try and better our training, e.g concentrating on driving and deliveries and policies and procedures that will help us get better at our job. Management often state that if I feel like I need anything further in support that I should just ask which is reassuring.

My pay package is a good amount, even for me who travels quite a distance to work, and so therefore spend quite a lot on fuel. Overall my pay is a good amount especially for young people like me who are and will be involved in the apprenticeship. I think aldi offer a fair wage and a good apprentice rate compared to some other companies. All my cost of getting to work are covered and I still have money to enjoy in my free time, a bigger pay package would be great but I think what aldi offer is a suitable amount.

With the rota that I am on I have plenty of opportunities to seek outside of work, with my job I get 3 days off at once which is good for the social side of your life and to enjoy any hobbies you may have etc. I think as well by developing more and more skills with aldi, that opportunities may arise when you are not thinking about them.

Yes

Aldi are a growing company and you can see that workers are being payed a good rate, which is an incentive to want to work hard and create a career in aldi for yourself. Colleagues are very friendly and there is a good atmosphere in the workplace. Aldi also seem to want to promote from the inside and there is always opportunities to change departments and have a slight change in job roles.

I would say that, applying for any job is a big decision and possibly it is the career that you may be in for the rest of your working life, but Aldi as an employer are fair and offer good rates of pay, with opportunities to better yourself and seek promotion. Aldi will do there best to look after you, if you are a hard worker and get the job done, I would tell people who are thinking of applying for the same role as me, that sometimes the job is stressful and all the regulations can seem tedious, but as long as you are willing to work hard and get the job done, you will be rewarded by aldi.