Store Assistant Review

In my first year I take on the role of a store assistant, which entails working on floor putting stock out, serving customers on tills, cleaning where necessary, and, dealing with customer queries on the availability of stock.

In the first year, I have gained a level 2 qualification in retail skills, as well as developed my skills, through focused, in store training on managing health and safety issues, becoming a more efficient worker, and in managing high pressure situations such as busy peak periods in store.

I really enjoy the program. The team I am a part of is extremely friendly, and have helped me develop my skills, and helped with my personal development. Everybody is very relaxed, but works very hard so it's good to work around like-minded people.

I feel valued by Aldi. Managers will often give praise and credit where due, and also offer constructive criticism where necessary. Managers also make effort to show you new things about how the store runs, such as how to use control panels, mobile store devices and also offer advice on how to improve.

The program is very structured. Face-to-face visits occur every other month, with phone calls to have professional discussions occurring between these meetings. The content of each meeting or phone call varies depending on what needs completing. It can be challenging as sometimes you do have to use your own initiative to find answers you cant get on the VLE, but, the course is supported very well.

My trainer is always contactable when needed if I need to ask questions, or have more criteria sent over. The trainer is a very positive person with a lot of retail experience and, is always very helpful and positive when it comes to supporting me.

The company supports me a lot when it comes to the course, and in the workplace. They provide training when needed on things such as alcohol compliance, health and safety, and using specialised equipment such as the bailers, pump trucks and cleaning equipment.

The salary meets my costs well. My apprenticeship wage is well above the minimum wage for someone of my age, and, meets my costs as well as allowing me to pursue my hobbies, and have some form of social life away from the workplace.

The company hosts a variety of charitable events which is rather fun; last year we had a rounders tournament and we spent the day playing other stores. The company tries to organise events, such as football, live music and other events which employees can attend.

Yes

The company is amazing, offers amazing perks to its staff, pays very well, and, the staff are incredibly friendly and hard working.

Working for Aldi is tough. Its very physical, can be very demanding, and, sometimes, incredibly stressful. The experience has been great because,you learn very quickly the 'Aldi way' of doing things, and, you become incredibly efficient when working. You however must be able to cope with the repetitive nature of the lifting, the motion of tills because of the speed we have to scan at; you must be very tolerant and almost physically fit to really excel with Aldi.