Placement Year Review at DHL Express

The Role

Role Description

The position as an Operations Assistant within Tradeteam DHL is based within stock control of the company, and the day to day job role can vary dependant upon demand for stock within the warehouse. Stock control work closely with the warehouse, and the transport office, and all departments must operate in parallel with each other to ensure smooth business operations.The is more involvement within the day to day running of stock control ranging from Goods In to stock monitoring. The main responsibilities of stock control include investigations and stock monitoring. During an average day within Stock control at Tradeteam Knowsley, the majority of working hours are spent within the stocks office and the warehouse when required. All of the administration is conducted within the office, and everyday there are various job roles involved which require the stocks team to work in the warehouse environment. This environment is a dangerous one, and protective clothing must be worn when necessary and health and safety rules must be obeyed unconditionally.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

There were various aspects of this job that made it a good place to be, fun and frienyly staff, variety of responsibilities, and opportunities to move departments

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The other members of stock control were always very appreciative of the work load i fulfilled, it was a close team where everybody pulled together to help fulfill all responsibilities.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

I did not feel that the managers here where very approachable or helpful. Sometimes they were easy to contact but then help was slow and ineffective. I feel that the management were not very people orienatated and their communication skills were very limited during my time within my placement position.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

With both daily and weekly responsibilities to fulfill there was generally a sizeable amount of work to be completed day to day, but during times of high demand for our stock the workload was sometimes too much.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility at my placement in the beginning, but as time went bye i was granted more and more, sometimes surprised at the amount and expectations. As the type of person I naturally am i took this in my stride and took full advantage of all opportunities presented.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

I have learnt and improved basic skills such as team working, communication, computing, etc. I believe i am more ready for the world of work, although alot of the skills that i developed will be mostly suited to a job based in a company similar to the DHL, working in logistics, and warehouse management.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Warm and friendly atmosphere, everybody was everybody else's friend. Birthday club and cake club.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Initially there wasnt alot of awareness as to what was required from a placement student, and throughout the placement the role turned quickly into a permanent job role, which as the placement terminates shall be replaced by a full time employee.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

There was not alot of time or emphasis placed on training and development within the workplace. There was some opportunities with DHL and the placement and post grad team to go awy for a few days and participate in community work, work focused challenges and recreational activities.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Above 25 days holiday

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I shall be applying for the post graduate scheme which has a similar recruitment process as the placeement bursary scheme that i will once have to go through again.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Within each department there was a good social scene.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

There wasnt alot of socialling outside of work which i believe was because of other obligations as well as the different locations which people lived and communted from.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The nightlife in Liverpool is very good and isnt very expensive.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

There was nothing in place for outside opportunities for employees, although before i finished my placement i was part f a focus group which this topic was in advanced discussions and ideas were being put into motion.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Working with DHL there is a massive amount of opportunity to relocate and work in multiple sites as well as contracts. If you like to travel and dont have reasons to stop you then DHL is a great opportunity, especially for younger people with the various development schemes such as the head start programme.

Review 2/4 for DHL Express

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