Industrial Placement Student Review

My placement year with Aldi has been a very challenging but enjoyable experience. All levels of management make you feel welcome from day one and you are constantly encouraged to develop. Working in store provides a rewarding and therefore enjoyable experience.

Aldi has a massive focus on developing all members of the team from sales assistants right up to higher levels of management. From a very early stage hard work is rewarded through constant feedback from your colleagues. You come to realise how valued you are when you are running the store. It is a great feeling when you know you have a strong team behind that will support you through all the challenges you will face in a fast paced retail environment.

My store manager provided immediate feedback all day every day. Aldi management want you to develop and they will give you plenty of opportunities to prove yourself. Areas managers will also be there to support you and they are only a phone call away if you need them. I met regularly with my area manager; around once every two weeks. If you work hard and prove you are commited you will be given undoubted support throughout your placement.

Very busy. You will have a lot of daily tasks that will keep you busy as well as the additional tasks that your manager will also expect you to do. Aldi is the fastest paced retailer so you will have to be organised and work effectively.

The amount of responsibility Aldi give you considering it is a placement year is unbelievable. After around 3-4 months of in store training I was running the store on a regular basis. If you prove you are capable you will be allowed to run the store for around a week whilst your manager is on holiday. In Head Office you will be set tasks that you are solely responsible for from start to finish. The harder you work the more responsibility you will be given throughout the placement year.

The skills and knowledge I have gained throughout my placement year have been vast. During your placement you will not only work in store, but Head Office in the following departments: Logistics, Trading, Property, Finance and Administration and Store Operations. When I return for my final year the experiences I have had will undoubtedly assist me in my studies.

In store there is a vibrant atmosphere. Everyone in Aldi works extremely hard as a team to achieve daily targets. The work ethic and dedication provides an exciting and enthusing atmosphere to work in. Likewise, Head Office has a great atmosphere were everyone is friendly and happy to help you.

On your first day Aldi provides a full structured training plan for the year. When you are in Head Office you will given a more detailed plan stating the departments you are working in.

From the start of my placement I felt as though I had the full support of everyone in my store and my area manager. Feedback from my manager was constant and I met regularly with my area manager. In store training is very structured and you are given a full training booklet that will guide you through your training.

Aldi's graduate is industry leading not only in terms of pay but the responsibility you will be given.

You will be working weekends during your store time so you don't have much time to socialise. However, you do go out for christmas meals with both store staff and directors.

Lived at home! Cost of socialising not very high due to the amount of hours you will be working.

This question is not really applicable. I worked around half an hour away so I did not experience the nightlife in the area I worked in as you work late on a regularly basis and may start early the next morning.

Aldi don't provide many activities to get involved in outside of work.