Trainee commercial manager Review

During my apprenticeship and school leavers scheme with Marks and Spencer I spend time shadowing a varied range of job roles within the store. I also spend time going on external development courses and workshops such as leadership days. During my day I spend time leading and developing my team in store, along with learning key materials through e books online.

Yes I have learnt many new skills including managing and leading a team and also developed my communication and team work skills. I have developed my time management skills in the sense that I have learnt how to prioritise my to do list in such a busy environment. I have also improved on my listening skills as when you manage a team this is a very important skill to have. Not only to demonstrate listening but to actively listen and act on what they are saying to you.

I enjoy my programme a lot as it is so varied every day. Some days I spend the whole day on the shop floor, this is usually Thursday- Saturday as these are the busiest days in store and when my help is required. But I also have days where I spend the majority of time off the shop floor in the office. I love that the programme is so varied and I have an allowed time to spend off the floor to focus on my apprenticeship and completing my ebook. The store colleagues are all so supportive of my programme and are willing to help in anyway possible.

I feel extremely valued my marks and Spencer as everyone I have come across so far is extremely willing to help in any way they can. Furthermore, many people at higher reward levels also show an interest in the programme and show that they are willing to help develop us on the scheme. I think this is a really important factor, especially in such a large company.

The programme is fairly well stricter. Towards the start of the programme it was a lot more structured which was helpful at the time as due to being new to the store it was helpful to have a structure to follow. More recently I have noticed that there is a lot less structure however at the moment that is useful as it gives me the opportunity to spend my time where I think it is most needed, helping me to get the most of out it.

The apprenticeship company visit me once every couple months for my milestone review however in between these meetings I also have remote Calls with my learn direct coach. However in between these arrangements my coach is always on the end of the phone so if I have any problems then I can just email her which is very helpful if I need a hand completing my work books. We also have days run by the apprenticeship company for us all to attend which take place a few times during the programme.

Marks and Spencer are very understanding of the programme and apprenticeship that I am on and are willing to give me the support I need in order to succeed. They allow me to spend time off the shop floor in order to get my theory work on the computer done but also allow me to spend valued time through out the store in order to gain a greater understanding of how the shop runs.

The only cost I really have at the moment is my travel expenses which are fairly large. However my salary exceeds my travel expenses and as my lifestyle is fairly cheap at the moment due to living at home, I find the salary a great positive about the programme. Marks and Spencer alsochave many perks for working for them which are a great advantage alongside my salary.

Yes, I have the opportunity to do attachments in a variety of different stores for example simply foods, outlets, large stores, retail park stores, head office etc which I think is a great opportunity and the perfect time to do such a thing. I think marks and Spencer are very supportive of a work life balance and enjoy their employees taking up things outside of work.

Yes

I think that marks and Spencer is a great company to work for, the salary is competitive and the perks of recieve are very good. Furthermore I think this programme is a great opportunity to learn on the job whilst you are earning, something very important in this day and age. I feel that some Jobs don’t benefit hugely from a degree and this is one of them, hence why I reccomend this programme to many people.

I would tell them to visit some stores and prior to applying in order to gain a feel for the company. I would also reccomend that when you are applying, to do your research. M&s is a great company with lots of history and this is extremely interesting and also a great thing to talk About at interviews. It shows you are not only knowledgable but also keen and interested in the company. I would say be confident, brave, and don’t be put off by people who have worked in retail before as I hadn’t and am finding this job amazing