3-/-0/2012
LifeSkills partner with Aldi
Discount retailer Aldi has announced that it will work in partnership with the LifeSkills North Essex Retail Skills Shop to promote the recently launched Aldi Apprentice Scheme.
With the soaring cost of university tuition fees and youth unemployment levels continuing to rise, Aldi announced in February plans to launch a national apprentice scheme, creating more than 200 jobs nationwide.
The scheme will target school leavers in the UK wishing to pursue a career in retail management without undertaking a university degree, and has been set up in partnership with Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail.
Apprentices will be trained in all aspects of Retail Management within three years. The programme offers store assistant training in year one and store management training in years two and three with a salary of £5 rising to £7.15 per hour and a title of ‘Deputy Store Manager’ awarded on completion.
The new scheme demonstrates Aldi’s ongoing commitment to providing career opportunities for young people in the UK. The company already runs an award-winning Area Management Programme for graduates and a sandwich-year Retail Placement Scheme.
By the end of the scheme, the most successful apprentices will have the opportunity to progress to the position of Assistant Store Manager with a starting salary of £25,000. By joining the Aldi Apprentice Scheme, young people could ultimately be fast tracked to a Store Manager position at one of the fastest growing companies in the UK today.
Matthew Speight, the project lead for the Aldi Apprentice Scheme said: “We believe this is a great scheme for those looking for a genuine career path in retail management, and our partnership with North Essex Retail Skills Shop is critical for selecting suitable candidates.
“Our apprentices will be given real responsibility from day one and will have the chance to learn about the business from a grassroots level. We are grateful for the support of North Essex Retail Skills Shop and our other partners for helping to get this programme under way.”
Issy Waugh, LifeSkills North Essex Retail Skills Shop commented: “Once we had started discussions with Aldi, we immediately recognised the benefits of a partnership, based on developing apprentices. North Essex Retail Skills Shop has a strong track record of providing apprenticeships for students across a variety of industries, and the Aldi Apprentice Scheme offers a solid first step for those looking for a career in retail management.”
