Management Trainee/Management Assistant Review

Working at Enterprise is a really tough year but you will learn a lot about the business world and also yourself! There is plenty of progression opportunities and even though you are a placement student your time doesn't have to end when you finish your contract. This placement is hard work and there are a few long days but this to me now has all contributed to my new working mindset and discipline.

When you join as an MT you will be in a training group with other employees just joining who are either on a placement scheme or on the grad scheme. So you aren't alone! There are plenty of nights out with all of your area which is good as sometimes you don't see each other for quite some time. The company also puts on a Christmas party and then an end of year party as well. Branch teams are small and you will be spending lots of time with them so by the end of it you will feel like you have known each other years.

You will be given training throughout your time here, all helping you to hopefully reach your MQI stage. Which once you have passed is going to let you go for assistant manager roles at the company which can be done in under a year. I did mine in 10 months and throughout those months I had lots of help from all my managers who were very approachable. A lot of this does come down to you though do not expect to be spoon fed and your progression as much as people want to help is ultimately down to you!

Busy, busy! Depending where you're working you may be more office based or do a bit more driving. I worked in two central locations in a busy city so for me I found my time was quite balanced but don't expect to have a couple of hours where you can sit and watch TV behind your desk... But being busy for me I quite enjoyed always something going on and you aren't clock watching before you know it the day has come and gone.

Although you are only a placement employee don't expect to be filing or making tea. You are just as much responsible for the success of the branch as the manager. The customers that you serve are yours to look after, you will be given assigned duties that you will do each morning such as managing sales figures, leading a morning meeting on marketing, fuel spend/collection and much more. These roles get swapped around so you will have a taste of everything!

I have developed lots of skills over the past 13 months, customer service, sales, business management, accounting such as chasing invoices, confidence with other workers and also the public. Managing my time effectively outside of work has been something that I struggled with initially but you will get yourself a routine and this year has taught me that no matter how little time you think you have you can always find time for the things you want/need to do!

Because the teams at Enterprise are quite small you will really get to know everyone well. yes it is competitive but everyone is there to help each other out and make your branch a success. There are lots of lunches that are brought in by your managers as a thankyou and we would often go for drinks after work, knowing your all there for the same reason makes you a lot closer and I'm sure I will see these guys again!

The placement is treated the same as the grad scheme so you will be doing exactly the same as everyone else, you will have useful and interesting training that you can take away outside from Enterprise. If you are ready you will complete your management qualification interview so if you decide to come back after you finish university you will be a step ahead allowing you to go for assistant roles quickly.

As mentioned you will get a lot of training provided to you, and they don't see you as a temporary member of staff initially. You will get regular reviews on your progress and a training folder is provided for you to keep and update as you see fit. I met with my area manager quite often and he was always there if I had any issues or questions, I did find towards the end of the year that there were things I wasn't involved with as much but as I would be moving branches this I can understand.

Progression here is everything, and if you want to be an assistant manager after a year you can. I will be working for Enterprise part time during my final year at uni and I have already been asked by my area manager if I would like to come back next year as there will be a job waiting for me. Put the effort in with these guys and the rewards will follow, you will not be treated as a temp and the company will want to invest in you!

I was the only intern in my area but I joined with other MTs so you will still stay in touch with them. We did do an intern leaving event recently where I recognised a few people but as there wasn't any local to me I didn't have much touch.

I was living at home so I was able to save and commute easy to work.

We would go on lots of work nights out in Birmingham and surrounding areas so we always had a good range of places to go. But as I was living near home I was already familiar with most of the nightlife that was around locally.

We would play football every so often with the lads in the area, I also took part in the three peaks challenge that was organised through work which was a good laugh with everyone. The company does a lot for charity and often hold fundraisers etc outside of work which are advertised for everyone to attend. You can get involved with as much as you want!