Back in June 2013 discount retailer Aldi announced that it would work in partnership with Preston Retail Skills Shop, run by Preston College, to promote this year’s Aldi Apprentice Scheme. The retailer looked to hire over 500 apprentices for its stores across England and Wales.

As one of the largest retail apprenticeship providers, Aldi is looking to attract ambitious and talented individuals to work for one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK. The scheme targets school leavers wishing to apply for a career in retail management.

The Preston Retail Skills Shop  hoped to offer places to 15-30 apprentices in Lancashire and would assist Aldi to identify suitable candidates.  The lucky candidates started on the scheme this month.

This September 16 Level 2 apprentices were recruited and they had 10 Level 3 progressions (from level 2 to 3) on the Aldi programme.

Launched in February 2012 the Aldi National Apprentice Scheme has since created more than 200 jobs to attract young people towards a retail career. The apprentices are trained in all aspects of Retail Management during a three year period.  The scheme offers store assistant training in year one and store management training in years two and three working towards a title of ‘Deputy Manager’ for the highest performers upon completion. 

On the scheme Aldi apprentices can also achieve a Retail Apprenticeship Level 3 qualification, which very few retailer apprenticeships currently offer. The most successful apprentices have the opportunity to progress to the position of Assistant Store Manager. Joining the Aldi Apprentice Scheme, young people could ultimately be fast tracked to a Store Manager position if they excel during training.
 
Leila MacGarrow, the project lead for the Aldi Apprentice Scheme said: “We are looking to attract committed and resourceful young people across the UK to join our apprentice scheme.  Successful candidates will be joining one of the most dynamic and fast-growing retailers in the UK, with a proven track record in developing its staff.
 
“Our apprentices who have been with us since last year have shown a real passion for working at Aldi, and have been invaluable in helping to drive the business forward from a store operations perspective.
 
“Aldi’s partnerships with Preston Retail Skills Shop, in addition to The National Skills Academy for Retail, are critical for selecting suitable candidates.  Our apprentices are given real responsibility from day one, with the opportunity to learn about the business from a grassroots level, and we expect our recruits to progress through to managerial level.”

The images above show Caitlin Myers, an Aldi Apprentice with the Preston Retail Skills Shop run by Preston College.