Trading Manager Review
at B&Q
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Customer Service
Haverhill
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My responsibilities as a Trading Manager at B&Q involve many things but namely to look after the safe, legal and profitable operations of the Showrooms Department at my local branch. This means monitoring sales, ensuring legal and other legislative compliance training is completed by all of my staff. Performance management is key.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I found the apprenticeship program delivered by Lifetime Training to be thoroughly interesting and really gave me a deep insight into the various skills and knowledge needed to lead a team effectively. Working with my learning coach(es) was easy and they were all very friendly, open and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the programme overall.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Enrolling on and completing my apprenticeship has given me the skills and (arguably more importantly) the confidence needed to be a Trading Manager at B&Q. At the time I enrolled on to the apprenticeship I was a Showrooms Advisor and by the time I had completed the apprenticeship I was successfully promoted to Trading Manager.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The apprenticeship program was structured very well in that each individual aspect of the course e.g. communications, performance, legislation was clearly split into their own dedicated sections, within which the individual tasks and materials were held. Each topic often had links to others in the program which also helped to refresh my knowledge.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I am fortunate to have had a very supportive Line Manager and Unit Manager from the very start of my apprenticeship right through to the end of it. They ensured that I had the appropriate time and space away from the shop floor to complete all my relevant learning and this was so important.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
While I had 3 separate learning coaches from Lifetime Training throughout my apprenticeship, each and every one of them was so supportive and approachable (even outside of my scheduled meetings with them). Lifetime Training's online learning platform was also a massive help in collating all of the relevant documentation and resources I might need.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Completing the apprenticeship directly resulted in my successful promotion to a Trading Manager position at B&Q. I cannot thank Lifetime Training and all of my learning coaches for their invaluable support that helped me get to this point. I feel so much more confident at work and it has given me all of the necessary skills I need to perform at my best.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
After the completion of my apprenticeship I was invited to a graduation event from B&Q at the VOX in Birmingham. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with my fellow apprentices from up and down the country. It really opened my eyes to how much an apprenticeship can really change your career aspirations for the better.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend B&Q to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Absolutely! On top of offering me the fantastic opportunity to complete my apprenticeship with them, B&Q are such a brilliant company to work for. Pay and benefits are good, the internal "family culture" is so friendly and I believe that with all the innovation we are making in the space currently, B&Q will continue to improve.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to B&Q?
Absolutely do it! I have worked at B&Q now for almost 4 years and I have absolutely no intention of going anywhere else. The advice I would offer is to be curious and open to every new opportunity presented to you at B&Q as it can really change your life and career aspirations
