As part of the ceremony Hannah Townson, who won Apprentice of the Year for Retail received her apprenticeship certificate after being awarded the role of Deputy Store Manager having successfully graduated from the programme.
Aldi Transport Apprentice, Lee Congrave, who won Apprentice of the Year for Logistics said: “I’m really proud to have completed my apprenticeship. The last year has flown by, and I’ve achieved my HGV licences. I’m really excited about my future with Aldi and look forward to continuing my career with Aldi as a Driver.”
Aldi Store Apprentices are trained in all aspects of Retail Management during their three-year course, which features a mixture of in-store and theory work. Apprentices on the programme also receive a Level 3 Retail Team Leader. By the end of the programme, successful Store Apprentices have the opportunity to become Deputy Store Managers if they have exceeded expectations, or become Assistant Store Managers if they have particularly excelled.
Aldi demonstrated its commitment to employing young people even before the Apprentice Levy was introduced in April 2017 – having made a significant investment in the development and training of apprentices since it first launched its Stores Apprenticeship Programme in 2012. The UK’s 5th largest supermarket then went on to launch its Logistics Apprenticeship in 2013 and further extended its apprenticeship offering with the launch of its Driver Apprenticeship in 2016. The three available Apprenticeship programmes have created more than 1,000 jobs for young people since the initiatives began.
Marius Manolescu, Regional Managing Director at Aldi, comments: “Our apprentices are a vital part of our company and it essential that we invest in each and every one of them so they can develop with the business to become successful retail managers of the future.
“We’re extremely proud of our graduating apprentices, as we know how much hard work and commitment it takes to succeed on the course. We hope that these are just the first steps in long and successful careers for our apprentices.”
The Store Apprenticeship Programme offers Store Assistant training in year one, and Store Management training in years two and three, with a fantastic salary of £6 per hour which rises to £7.50 per hour in year two, and £8.90 in year three. This equates to £225 per week at first, and £267 per week in year three; significantly higher than the national minimum wage for apprenticeships.
The Logistics Apprenticeship is a one year programme, during which candidates work towards achieving their Level 2 Supply Chain Operative Following this, there is the opportunity to join the team on a permanent basis with progression opportunities a real possibility in the future.
The Aldi Driver Apprenticeship programme provides full training, funding and support to candidates wanting to become fully licenced LGV Drivers. Apprentices start on £10.17 per hour (which is £305 per week) and are supported and mentored throughout the programme at the Atherstone Regional Distribution Centre to achieve a Level 2 LGV qualification.
