Placement student Review

Very highly. The programme offers a really great unique opportunity to see and learn many departments and how they all interact. I think Lidl’s placement programme is perfect to help discover what areas you are passionate about, additionally what areas do not interest you as much and additionally how a business runs.

Throughout the placement I have personally had great interaction with people from all levels within the business, including even senior members. The ownership and responsibility they allow you to take makes you feel really valued too as these are tasks and projects that can really influence the efficiency of the business and reinstates the trust they have in you to allow you the responsibility.

The support and guidance was definitely present at every department and movement within my programme. How it was approached always differs due to personal training techniques. However their patience is extremely high and I found they are able to tailor the training and guidance to suit your need. In addition to this I always had support through my training consultant as a second means of guidance.

As I wanted to make the most out of my year and the programme I have rated this low as I often found myself extremely busy, due to taking on additional tasks and projects. This was however my own personal choice and not something I was forced to do. The standard work load offers great variation and appreciation for the need of a work life balance. It removes the arduocity from repetition, also reinstating the beauty of being able to rotate into different departments.

Opportunities for high responsibility is there and often without micromanagement techniques - checking on the completion of the task. As part of the programme it is a prerequisite to be able to handle responsibility and perform to a high standard. However this is something you are trained and coached into. Through all areas support and guidance was continuously offered.

My placement will hugely impact my degree and future career. My confidence, efficiency and communication have been my main soft skills to improve dramatically through this year. From being able to clearly and consisly address people from different areas of the business and perform tasks in an efficient and timely manner. My time management will help me especially in my final year as it will be extremely busy and the requirement to be able to prioritise will be important. My ability to now process, understand and create reports will help me too, with a practical understanding, as well as theoretical understand, into business operations. Increasing my commercial awareness.

As you change department the atmosphere changes with it. I would say that the general buzz of the department was always there and everyone was very friendly. This also challenges your ability to adapt to new environments and your communication methods. Overall I would say there was fun and social interaction present.

A few hiccups were created at the beginning but they were quick to be rectified and all support and guidance was offered. Some of these issues arose through agent / other companies that Lidl had hired. You receive a training plan though which is useful so you can follow and see your training.

I felt from all departments the investment and time, from all levels within the business was immense. They all offered you a large amount of their time and showed great patience through any confusion. Appraisals, feedback meetings and constructive guidance is offered to you on a continual basis with recommendation points and action plans.

Depending on the department that has vacancies or opportunities I would say high. The link to become a graduate after the placement programme is the most appealing prospect with another opportunity to go through the departments and implement what you have learnt prior (if you were on the placement programme)

I would state this would be a personal preference and depends on the company the person enjoys. The opportunities to mix and socialise were there. There are also social spaces such as canteens and welfare areas to mix and meet more people. The ages vary within each department with a mixture from 20-50.

Unable to comment due to commuting from home. Due to it being close to London the opportunities to socialise would have been easy but as it is London it would be costly. Living as well, as Lidl’s placement programme is spread over 12 different areas, the cost changes in each place.

Additionally unable to comment due to living at home, this was an hours drive from my place of work. As my placement was near London and the ability / accessibility into London was high I would state the opportunities would be high. Around the area specifically I would be unable to comment.

Yes, there were opportunities. Often these were limited in variance but were still offered. As I lived an hours drive from my place of work, I did not partake as they did not meet my work hours or did not appeal to me. The opportunty to create activities or a club is a possibility.