Choosing an apprenticeship programme with Asda was a decision grounded in both practicality and ambition. Apprenticeships offer a unique blend of hands-on experience and theoretical learning, providing a comprehensive understanding of the industry.
"Being able to have this experience in a company like Asda has been truly amazing, the support throughout my journey has been impeccable."
Firstly, the opportunity for hands-on learning is invaluable. Unlike traditional academic routes, apprenticeships offer real-world experience from day one. By actively participating in projects and tasks alongside seasoned professionals, I was able to gain quick skill development and a more holistic grasp of my chosen field.
Along my journey in Asda, I’ve always been encouraged to participate in activities that have allowed me to grow from strength to strength. Moreover, the mentorship aspect of apprenticeships is a significant draw. Being able to learn directly from experienced professionals within my company provides a wealth of knowledge and guidance that can’t be replicated in a classroom setting.
Being able to have this experience in a company like Asda has been truly amazing, the support throughout the journey has been impeccable. Additionally, the prospect of earning whilst learning is a pragmatic consideration. Apprenticeships offer a pathway to gainful employment whilst acquiring qualifications.
The mentorship aspect of the apprenticeship programme played a crucial role in my professional development. Learning directly from experienced professionals within my company provided me with insights into industry best practices and strategies for career development. I’ve now got the confidence to be able to achieve anything within my career.
After a few weeks into the apprenticeship programme, I found a balance to manage my time wisely and study for my apprenticeship studies. I would block time out of my diary so my team could see when I’m concentrating on my apprenticeship workload and know not to disturb me. In the different rotations, my managers have always supported me in making sure I get the time to study alongside the job.
My line manager in each area (HR, Procurement, and Omnichannel Customer Support) have always encouraged me to go the extra mile and get involved in various activities across the functions.
The training provider (Corndel) was an excellent online stream to get you engaged and learning interactively. I had monthly meetings with my PDE, who constantly suggested actions to work on for the next time we had a meeting together.
I’d advise you to get involved in everything you can with the teams, whether that’s chairing meetings or partaking in a tender. The best thing to do is to get involved to further your learning and apply your apprenticeship learning to real life scenarios!
The biggest challenge in the apprenticeship programme was starting a job in a large company. Having the other apprentices on my cohort allowed for me to build a network of colleagues before I even started. They were all so supportive of each other, even though we may not work together day to day. Everybody that I’ve met throughout the team has always been very welcoming and inviting. I couldn’t recommend Asda enough!
What is great about Asda is the culture and teamwork across ALS function, the variation of roles allowed me to build relationships across the network and pick up the phone when I need support.
I have worked for 36 years in Asda, a business where no one ever told me I couldn’t progress, or I couldn’t aim for the next role.
The chance to move forward and progress in your career is very real here, and Asda really invests in helping its people develop.