BPP Trainee Commercial Manager Review

In general, I enjoyed my placement. However, I expected that I would receive more support and that it would be a more stuctured scheme.

Trainees were generally included in management meetings. I found it difficult as a 'trainee' not having a set job role which sometimes made being included in and participating in meetings difficult. However, generally the mangement team were welcoming and friendly at the stores I worked at.

The scheme is self-structured. I had about five managers throughout the process and found the lack of continuity of support difficult. I found my enjoyment of the scheme was influenced by the amount of time my Commercial Manager invested in me.

I was usually very busy, although I prefer to work this way. Especially at Christmas, the days were very full.

The best thing about the placement is the amount of responsibility you are given from an early stage. I ran different sections of different stores throughout the year which gave me the sort of experience I could not have gained from doing an office position. Having responsibility has really developed my confidence and assertiveness.

Amongst other things, I have really developed my people skills. I have learnt communication skills that will be applicable in any workplace. The scheme teaches you to be adaptable and flexible and this is also a fantastic life skill. Other skills I feel I have developed are decision making, working under pressure and time management.

The store environment is quite dynamic and fast paced.

Well set up in some respects, I received a series of training days at the Learning and Development centre however, for the most part, I was left to structure my own development, which was very difficult to begin with and became slightly easier over the course of the year.

It was evident the company had spent money on the training days provided, however, more investment was needed to provide training for us in the store environment. I think it would have been helpful if the members of staff that became our line managers had received training in how to support us, to make the individual's experience of the scheme more consistent.

Fantastic long term employment opportunities and other opportunities to progress within the company.

The trainee managers on the region supported each other and we set up nights out and meals out as a team at Christmas etc.

I lived at home so the cost of living was relatively cheap for me.

Chester is a nice city with a lot going on.

Limited opportunities.