Placement Student Review

I have enjoyed working in such different environments and getting the opportunity to work within so many areas and develop my skills and knowledge. The placement requires a lot of hard work but is very rewarding and great to see how you can make a difference within such a large business.

Throughout the year I have worked within several different teams and although it can take time to find your place within a team everyone is very willing to help you develop and really appreciates the work you put in. Being proactive and looking to add value within the department is noticed and you are treated like a permanent member of the team.

Throughout the year I have been given constant support by different managers and even after leaving a department the support and help has still been offered for anything that they can help with. Having a regional training consultant to speak to at any time has been a massive support and has allowed me to experience even more of the business and helped me deal with any concerns I've had.

Being part of such a fast paced business there is always something to do, if I had any spare time and asked for work there was always something I could be doing or learning. If you want to be kept busy the work and opportunities are there you just have to ask.

Dependent on the department and how long I was in there for determined the amount of responsibility I was given. In store I was given the responsibility of a manager and in other departments was given responsibility to make decisions and take on another employees' role and make changes as I thought were appropriate.

Throughout the year I have developed so many of my skills and learnt a lot about business awareness and the functioning of a business. Being exposed to so many areas of the business helps develop different skills in lots of different situations. Having challenges throughout the year to overcome has taught me a lot and I will take all these skills into my future career and back to university. I feel more confident in my abilities after my placement year and am more resilient with how I approach things.

Having worked in several different offices, a store and in the warehouse they all have a different environment, however they are all fast paced and friendly with a team atmosphere. Individuals have ownership of their role and are given freedom to put forward suggestions to constantly improve the way things are done.

The placement had a standard plan that divided the year between store, the warehouse and an office ole as well as having two weeks in head office and a regional project week. Within my region they were very accommodating to making changes so that I got to experience everything I wanted to to help me find what I enjoy and would be interested in in the future. I got to add in an extra office module by shortening my time within the warehouse giving me additional experience in an area I was interested in.

Throughout the year the aim whilst with Lidl has been development, being given the opportunities to get involved with different projects and situations as well as the Lidl Training academy have all been part of the training and development we are given. The opportunity to work with so many different people in different roles allows us some freedom to direct out development and learning but you need to be proactive to get the development and training you specifically want out of the year.

Working for Lidl over the past year has been a fantastic experience and with it growing so quickly there are lots of opportunities for progression throughout the business. The way all employees are encouraged to take ownership and responsibility of their role and develop it to make it better for their team creates a happy and motivated team. The people I have met and my experience this year makes the business very appealing to go back to for future employment.

Being split by regions there were only two placement students in my region but along with the graduates we would try to meet up and go out together every few months. The people you meet within departments may arrange social events but this is dependent on the team you are in.