Industrial Placement Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my year with ALDI, we were treated with respect by all staff and I really felt like part of the team. We were given a wide range of tasks to do over the 12 months which made it far more interesting than other placements I looked at. The future prospects with the compnay really motivate you to your best and even though the work is challenging it makes you realise how valued you are.

During the store time I become a fully functioning member of the management team. I was valued by all staff and knew my role within the store team. If I was not there to open / close the shop or do the orders there may not be another member of management to do them, I had an integral role within the team and this made me feel completely valued. Running shifts myself I had the whole team to manage and they would comne to me with questions about what to do next, being in a leadership role you realise what you are capable of.

My area manager mentor was excellent, she was very supportive and gave me feedback at regular intervals during the year. She would give me an honest view on my progress which is vital if you are going to improve. My store manager was equally as good. I could go to him with any problem and he was always happy to answer questions I had during my training period. During store time we were together so much it's like a store family and you gain a close relationship with all the staff.

I was extremely busy!! Store time is full on and you cannot hide away or take a back seat. But if you enjoy a fast paced work environement where time goes quick ALDI is the perfect placement. When running a shift as the manager you have set tasks which have to completed to keep the shop running so you are always busy. During our head office time, the final 5 months, you work normal office hours and do desk work as opposed to the phsically demanding store work. The variety in work environments is really useful in making you realsie which work style you are best suited to.

During store time we were treated as assistant store managers and within a few months you are expected to be able to run the store yourself. This includes doing the orders, having the safe, opening/closing the shop and running shifts yourslef. This level of responsibility we are given cannot be matched by any other placement. I have learnt so much about myself from this whole experience. It is so hard but if you give it 100% ALDI will give you that back.

My degree is Economics and Law but I knew I wanted to work in retail. I have learnt a great deal about what career path I want to continue on, which is what I wanted from my placement. But it does not directly relate to my degree.

In store everyone is just crazy busy but there is a really positive attitude. The team were always happy to help you out, some days were more challenging than others but there was always someone who had been through it before who could help you out. If you go into store with the right attitude and work as hard as everyone else they will be so helpful and you will integrate into the store team with ease.

The placement was so well organised. The structure we were given on the first day hardly changed and they delivered on all the areas they said they would. We worked in every department in the office so I really do feel I understand the whole business. We had regular updates with directors and would see them on a daily basis in head office, this is something that I do not think other placament students would get.

I feel like I have developed so much as a person, I now know how much I am capable of. The level of responsibilty we were given enables you to become a leader, which was a role I had previously never done. The feedback we are given by area managers and directors allows you to learn which areas you can improve on, so you can become the best you can be.

The future prospects within ALDI are huge. Staff numbers contiue to grow, unlike many other retailers. If you are successful on the placement you will be given a fast track onto the graduate scheme. With option to begin a year after completeing university so you can travel.

Socialising outside of work is not widely done.

I lived in the town I went to university so had my friends around me which meant socialsing was easy. The cost of living was average and my income covered everything and more. I ahve been able to afford a 5 week holiday in australia with what I have saved from this year.

I continued to go out with my friends from uni when I had the time. The nightlife in Liverpool is very good and this was where I was based.

I did not have much time for other activities due to inconsistant days off in store.