Apprentice Review

For the past 2 years I have undertaken a deputy role within the warehouse. I have been trained on each department individually but more recently have been focusing on the goods in department. This insists of booking in goods on a daily basis and dealing with external drivers as they enter the warehouse. As a deputy you have to set up the shift for the day and allocate jobs to individual staff members also dealing with problems any of them may have throughout the day.

Training to be a deputy manager has definitely allowed me to develop my communication skills and be more confident when interacting with staff and colleagues. Whilst being on the apprenticeship programme I have undertook many internal training courses such as First Aid, Leadership Training and AMS course. On completion of the programme I have been awarded with a level 3 certificate on Storage and Warehousing. Along the duration of the course I completed training on the reach truck and fork lift.

I have very much enjoyed my time at Aldi. Taking this apprenticeship has very much matured me into the young man I am today. I have learnt many skills along the way.

I have felt very valued along this journey, I have always been incorporated in any teams that i've joined and made to feel welcome. I've had a tremendous amount of support and appreciation from my manager Brenda. She has helped me so much along the way and her door has always been open if i've needed anything. I have been involved in many tasks within the teams I have worked with and have been involved with all training programmes that have been provided by the company.

The induction to the warehouse was very exciting as I had never been in a workplace like it before. Meeting my manager and colleges for the first time was great and I knew straight away we was going to get along. To start off with everyone was unsure of what was happening with us as apprentices until my manager made a training programme for us all. From this moment on everything we did was planned and scheduled. Like I said before the support I had from my manager and my colleagues was outstanding and made me feel right at home and comfortable in my new role. Regarding the external learning providers it didn't get off to a great start. The first training provider(System Training) started us off then a few months later never showed up again. After that we had a new company take us on which were called First $ Skills, they were very good with us and helped to progress me further. However it came to an end when unfortunately the company liquidised. We then had our final provider Mantra which have been very helpful and have allowed me to complete my qualification.

Each of the training providers have been helpful. However I don't think they were as helpful as they could be as they were only doing a visit once a month. Regarding the qualification they were very helpful but on a personal level I believe they could've done more.

I have had so much support from my manager, she has been so helpful over the years and has always had time for me if i've had any problems. I've always been able to speak to her whenever I've needed to about anything or any problems I may have.

Personally the salary met all my costs as I am only young and am still living with parents so there is not many outgoing costs I have to pay for. I believe that for an apprentice the salary is enough to live on.

Aldi have been doing events for the Teenage Cancer Trust to raise money and awareness. When I wasn't working I was out socialising with friends and family and just enjoying my days off.

Yes

I would recommend Aldi to a friend because I think its a great company to work for. Along the way I have made so many new friends and have great relationships with my colleague. I believe that Aldi will help you develop your communication skills and social skills. Not only is it a great environment to work in but the job role I do is very much enjoyable as well.

Be yourself, take in as much knowledge as possible. Application process is quick and easy, before you know it your having a interview which is where you need to shine and stand out from the others.