BPP (Business Placement Programme Review

Before applying to the M&S Scheme I thoroughly researched the role on the corporate website. Having now completed the year, my expectations have been surpassed. I have enjoyed the role because of the variety it entails and how no day is ever the same.

M&S is renowned for looking after their people and I feel that through my training I have been fully supportive. I have been encouraged to involve myself with all aspects of the business whilst being treated as trainee at the same time.

During your training, you are assigned a line manager who is able to regularly provide you with guidance and feedback on your performance. However throughout my training other managers in the Store supported my training and I was fully encouraged by all the Management Team. I would regularly undertake tasks with other managers to extend my knowledge.

Within M&S, there is always something going on. Within weeks, I was already involved in many aspects of the Store. In addition, if you are willing to become involved in tasks yourself, you will learn faster. There is so much going on, that you will never be stuck with nothing to do.

The M&S scheme provides a good balance of responsbilty. Whilst I was not given direct responsibility for the departments performance, I was accountable for certain tasks that would drive both the department and Store performance.

Completing a placement has allowed me to develop skills that would never be able to be replicated in a lecture scenario. The training I have received has been fantastic and I feel that I will be able to use the knowledge I have gained to facilitate my final year studies.

From day one, I was given a desk in the office and made to feel part of the team. Whilst it was always very professional, the team were very welcoming and encouraging.

The M&S programme provides an overall structure to guide in what you should be achieving. In addition all trainees receive a sign-off document that allows you to see what you see what skills you are expected to be competent in. There is a good balance of structure whilst allowing you to spend the required aspect on each attachment that you feel is necessary.

M&S values training and development at all levels of the business. Throughout the year, you will regularly attend training courses that are designed to give you the skills and knowledge that will aid you when you return to store. The Training Team are fantastic and really enthusiastic at your training.

Before I undertook the placement, a career in Retail always appealed. The Placement Year has only extended that desire and confirmed to me that Marks and Spencer is the company I want to work for upon Graduation.

During my training, I met other students and graduates regularly on the training courses and we would often socialise after. In addition, I also worked with other trainees in my store over the day. We were encouraged to share ideas with each other and it would not be uncommon to get a call from a trainee the other side of the country to ask how you were approaching a task for instance.

I was fortunate to live at home during my year. However, if I had needed to find accomodation this would have represented an expensive to me.