Apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice in SuperDrug requires me to provide outstanding customer service to give people that SuperDrug feeling. My roles include going above and beyond to meet and exceed a customers’ needs and to give them alternatives when I can’t meet their request. My role also includes being a team player. I need to work well with my colleagues to exceed our stores weekly targets and to keep a positive environment to work in.

Some new skills I have learned is tactics to keep customers in the Black even if they have entered the store in the red. I can now use positive body language and facial expressions to calm and diffuse a difficult situation and offer a solution to a customers problem. I have become more efficient when putting out stock as I have more knowledge of the stock and the location of it. My knowledge of the companies history has also developed due to my apprenticeship.

I have throroughly enjoyed my year as an apprentice in SuperDrug. Thorough my learning I have been fully supported by my team and my assessor which has made this whole experience a positive one. Feedback is always given so you can see what areas you are excelling at but also the areas that need some development.

As an apprentice, I feel very valued in A.S.Watson. This is due to the time I get in the week to complete my book. Every week I get a whole hour to work through the good in the workplace as I’m not expected to do it at home. This takes a lot of pressure off of getting the work done because I have a team of support present to help me with any areas I am struggling with and can provide me with encouraging questions to help me understand.

My programme was very well structured. We had set dates for each visit and within those times we had set targets. For example, my visits were every 4-6 weeks and my assessor would give me one workbook to aim to finish each times I was also given the option to do more of the book if I finish early so I didn’t feel as though I was restricted to what I could achieve.

I received an amazing amount of support from my assessor. He would always give me feedback on the work I had done and asked me questions about the work to ensure I fully understood. He also gave me tips and tricks to help me understand an area I may be struggling to do and we would always go back to it to make sure the knowledge has stayed with me.

My employer has been supportive through my apprenticeship. I was always given feedback on the work I was going and all the staff were more than happy to help if I ever required it. I have now been given a team leader position when I finish my apprenticeship so I’ve been given the chance to progress further throughout the company which was one of my aspirations.

In my situation, the salary could have been higher as I have a lot of outgoings. However, I know that my spendings are above the average 17/18 year old. I think that for an aprenticeship, A.S.Watson pays very well as the average apprenceshop wage is under £4 an hour.

I don’t understand this question.

Yes

It’s a good way for people looking to gain experience in retail and progress into management. You are given a lot of support and positive and constructive feedback is always given. A.S.Watson has a very good, positive environment to work in and all members of staff are valued and supported.

My biggest tip for someone applying is don’t be afraid of getting things wrong as that’s how you learn. Not everyone knows everything straight away so don’t feel like you’ve failed if you haven’t done something completely correct. But don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are unsure about how to do something, another member of staff will be more than happy to help you out so you know how to do something.