Industrial Placement Review

As a whole and on reflection I very much enjoyed my time with Aldi. There were periods where I would question myself and my ability but this would then quickly turn on its head the following week or even the very next day. I couldn't have asked for a better experience during my 12 months and whilst I may have had brief down periods, looking back they were all huge lessons to be learnt from moving forwards and I am actually now grateful for having experienced those times. Working life won't always be fun and games!

In store your valuation cannot be questioned. That doesn't just apply to myself in the role I was in but is reciprocated throughout the store and at all levels - the beauty of store operations lies in that everybody has a part to play and a role to fill, no matter where in the hierarchy you sit. Head office was a very different climate - with less pressure and a less hectic environment we would sometimes turn up to departments that we were scheduled with for the week and they wouldn't be expecting us, often giving us menial jobs whilst they conjure up a project to set us.

Whilst support and guidance was in place, I do feel that the personal mentoring aspect of the Industrial Placement Scheme could be improved. With a more structured training routine soon to be implemented (similar to that of the Trainee Area Manager Scheme) then I can only see this improving.

No day would drag by like days in previous work experiences did do and this is another beauty of the Aldi package. Whether it's managing your people, getting stuck in on the shop floor or keeping on top of office work there is simply never time to relax (and be bored!). If you're someone who constantly likes to be involved and get stuck in then this placement would be perfect for you.

Arguably the greatest aspect to this placement scheme. Whether it's opening/closing the store, being responsible for your staff or dealing with customer issues... you are the person responsible for all of these. If you're someone who enjoys the pressures of leading teams then I don't think any other placement can offer you the exposure and experience of responsibility quite like Aldi can.

Whether it's basic organisational skills or simply the ability to arrive on time, every skill you learn throughout the year can be implemented back into your final year of academic study. Often friends and family have commented on the fact that I am a different person to the one who started the scheme back in September. This can only be a good thing and is a reflection of all the skills that you learn whilst carrying out the placement year.

Both in store and in head office the atmosphere is one of hard work but also one of friendliness and engagement. Within Aldi this is a cultural aspect of the business and runs through all levels - I'm not sure many companies can boast that quite like Aldi.

Whilst I couldn't have asked for more in terms of experience there were periods in head office time where departments weren't quite expecting us and didn't have the prepared work us to engage in straight away. In fairness all departments engaged with us and quickly and actively prepared activities for us to complete.

The wage that Aldi offers is a huge investment on its own but the ethos of the company in terms of developing its staff, even on a general level, is a hugely attractive aspect of the company. If anyone is to get the best out of you then it's Aldi.

Future employment opportunities within Aldi are a hugely attractive preposition and perfect for any ambitious and aspiring graduates thinking longer term. Again this is something very few companies can offer as effectively as Aldi.

In the second half when the IP students were together and not separated in stores the social scene was better but the first half it was almost none-existent. I'm not sure how much more the company could do to promote such a scene however.

I was able to live at home due to being placed in a store close to me and this was a huge help in terms of finance and social aspects.

Good

Limited and this is an area that could be improved.