Our Apprentices Graduate – Congratulations!

Natalie Foley, Food – Cannock Store

Completed Retail Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship

“I found the apprenticeship to be very beneficial to me and really enjoyable. It has definitely given me a good head start in developing my career further.

Although it was challenging at times with working full time, I had a good support system around me, and my tutor was always on hand guiding me through it. 

Not long after I took on the apprenticeship, I was appointed to store manager. Initially, I felt extremely anxious and overwhelmed about how I was going to fit it all in and complete the course. However, I do feel it has given me the opportunity to gain knowledge and demonstrate new skills and behaviours in my working environment. I've learnt how to prioritise and develop my time management skills and become more assertive in my role. Overall, the course has been a great experience, which has given me the right tools to tackle all situations head on and carry out my job role confidently and more efficiently. “

Damien Darby, Food – Stourport Store

Completed Retailer Level 2 apprenticeship

“Damien worked hard towards his apprenticeship and this is shown as he achieved a distinction in his apprenticeship.  This is a fantastic achievement – Well Done 😊”  Stuart, Stourport Food

Below are the comments from his mentor:

"I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that Damien has achieved a distinction. Please can you pass on my congratulations to Damien as this is a fantastic achievement - Well done 😊"

K’ley Smith, Food – Chinnor

Completed Retailer Level 2 apprenticeship

“I enjoyed the apprenticeship; the tutors were excellent. My manager made sure I was given the time to do the NVQ in my working hours so found it very easy to complete during my normal hours.

The apprenticeship has made me more confident in my role and I am more fully accountable for my job as I have a better understanding.”

Joanna King, Food – Downley

Completed Retail Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship

“To get my Distinction in Retail Team Leader Level 3 I had to put in a lot of work.  Completing this through Covid certainly hasn’t made it any easier, but I am so pleased that my hard work and efforts have paid off. I’m really proud of my work and my Distinction and I can’t recommend enough that other people should do this apprenticeship.

The whole course is broken down into modules which made it easier to complete and every time I finished a module, I felt great about doing so. It was like little wins along the way to the big win at the end of the apprenticeship.

I’m not a naturally confident person but when I’ve gone through the work book and completed the modules and assessments, its shown me that I knew more than I thought and that I have lots of experience and knowledge. This has boosted my confidence so much that I have applied for a Store Manager role and have now been appointed, which I am over the moon with. I had so much support from Sharon, the apprentice trainer, who has been there to advise and help me achieve my potential.”

Welcoming New Colleagues 👏

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome on board 11 existing colleagues from the Food trading group, who have snapped up the opportunity to develop themselves to the next level of their career and embark on the journey of an apprenticeship.

These colleagues are embarking on a Retail Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship programme and their names are:

• Tracey Williamson

• James Callum Gravestock

• Marta Kiedrowska

• Hazel Davies

• Rana Sidhu

• Archie Harper

• Victoria Wilkins

• Emma Cartridge

• Jake Porter

• Elannah Wilkinson

• Mia Watson