Drivers Mate Review

At the time of the programme, I was a drivers mate, which involved working along side the LGV drivers and helping them open up the stores and pulling the cages/pallets into the store when the day time stores are not able to have their own staff on hand to provide the drivers with this task.

Apart from developing existing skills where using a pump truck is involved, I did learn from shadowing the drivers how they learn't the routes to and from the stores but with a couple of drivers, they did also show me how to couple and uncouple the units to the trailers (though not many drivers were helpful in regards to wanting to teach people, probably would of been best for poundland to put a reliable driver with someone who is learning than with drivers that just wanted to get the job done and head back asap).

In all honestly, Learning curve were great in regards to the actual teaching of information for the programme, but poundland kind of left everything up to the apprentice (aka myself) to chase up information in regards to how the apprentiship process actually works. It would be best to have a plan in place, maybe even a pack which highlights what they expect from the apprentice and what they need to do. Off the job hours were only aloud if you changed your job role to a drivers mate (which took 2 months of me asking them how I go about it), but also they didn't really show you what to be learning from the driver.

Again, Learning curve were great and did have a plan set out on what to expect throughout the time we have with themselves, from when the workshops will be, to when the tests are planned for... however Poundland had what seemed to be nothing solid organised. You could even say they were winging it when it came to upskilling the apprentices e.g. different mangers told you different processes on when to get time off for the workshops, people round the office didn't communicate if I was in or not when booked for a workshop, when needing an assessment after passing the Class 1 test, they changed often how they were going to do it. Poundland needs some document with the policy for apprentices for how they do off the job hours, how to book time off for workshops, what to expect from the assessment (how long it takes, when it happens etc) and not just tell them last minute or have the apprentice chase them up every time.

I personally felt no support from my employer. I felt like just a number off the bat for upskilling their colleagues for cheap using the government levy. The training manager made me feel like a nuisance for actually asking her questions when stuff didn't make sense to me. 10/10 would definately of rather paid for all this myself elsewhere

Learning Curve were great. Apart from when transferring over from another training provider that went bust to this one (where I was told by one of the directors I would be transferred in December but didn't happen till February), the skills coach was amazing. She explained and showed what to expect on the course, whilst also keeping me in the know on what was needed to be done on smart assessor and also checking on me to see how well I was getting on with everything.

The workshops provided were detailed enough that I knew what was needed from myself to be able to not only get my Class 1 Licence, but also be a proficient driver out in the logistics industry. It has helped me put the knowhow information taught to me, into hands on experience practiced on the job.

I have not seen, nor have I been made aware of any such extra-curricular activities available to myself. Poundland does not seem to have the right environment for such things. A lot of the staff/managers at the company seem to just want to get the job done then run home.

No

The company, or the depot I work at at least, seem to make colleagues feel like an issue, don't have a process in regards to training up the apprentices, but also they seem to tell you one thing in person about what to expect, and then when you ask for it in an email, they change it entirely and say that whatever was said in person is wrong and they didn't say that.

If you want an easy job but no oragnisation to the role, then you'll be fine here and it's alright. If you want a structured job where the managers are happ yo help you, honest and open about everything and provide all the information and details needed for appreticeships, pay and policies, then go somewhere else.