Sales Assistant Review
at Babington
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Customer Service
Durham (County Durham)
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
3.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
2.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
2/5
I check stock and ensure it has been placed correctly. I serve customers on the rolls, collecting their orders and processing returns, as well as checking stock in the back of the shop for more sizes if the customer is requesting. I clean and sanitise shop areas and ensure stock is looking presentable and not on the floor.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
It was fun meeting new people and learning more about what retail is like. I didn’t enjoy not being allowed to have the dedicated time to focus on apprenticeship work, as the store manager deemed not having any hours for me to be able to do it other than that it was great.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I managed to develop my confidence and communication skills as I was able to be around complete strangers and be able to communicate with them and talk to them without being anxious and having panic attacks. It has been beneficial as I feel a bit more confident around strangers.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The coursework side was very organised and structured well. It was easy to understand and there was a great support network for when I didn’t understand anything. The tasks were explained clearly and assignments were worded so that it was possible to understand, even being dyslexic.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
I did not receive a great amount of support from New Look. Two of my supervisors were really supportive and dedicated time to helping me with assignments, whereas the general manager didn’t allocate me any time to do apprentice tasks or work and said there wasn’t enough hours for me to do it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I received amazing support from the training provider. I was regularly checked on and knew I could contact people if I was struggling to understand tasks or if I wasn’t going to have it finished by the deadline. They supported everything they could and it was really helpful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Honestly I don’t think it does as to work in retail you do not need a qualification. It helped me understand managerial roles but a level 2 in retail won’t get a managers role as that is something that comes from working hard and gaining experience.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There was no extra curricular activities. Some of the staff would go out in little groups drinking but there was never any team building activities or something where everyone was included. It was more just the little work friendship groups did their own little things on days off and weekends.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Babington to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Babington were really supportive throughout the entire time. There was always someone on hand to be able to talk to if I had any issues or when the work and college work balance was getting stressful. They supported me from the application, right through to the work and it was all smoothly done.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Babington?
Just go for it but remember your worth and don’t overwork yourself when you’re on the bare minimum pay. I was doing managerial roles and tasks when I was being paid bare minimum compared to what anyone on that job role would get. You shouldn’t do managerial roles for £4.15 an hour.
