Team Manager Review
at John Lewis Partnership
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Retail Manager
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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:
4/5
I had just started a new role as a Team Manager as I started my apprenticeship. This has helped me have a smoother transisition into my role. The team at inspiro have been a massive support to me and have been a great sounding board all throughout my time on the course. They have been there as much or as little as I have needed them to be, while being a email, text or phonecall away if I have needed assistance.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I thoroughly enjoyed it at the beginning, then the demands of peak trade did make it difficult to get back into the routine. But my coach was very helpful with reminding me where I was up to and what the next steps were, also prompting me with deadlines.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
The apprenticeship has given me a better understanding of some of the skills I already had, being able to use them in more of a leading way. They have also helped me better understand some aspects of the role that I hadn't previously had such as any merchandising or financial experience.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It was good. I was able to be more independant when required or if I needed more input. This is the second apprenticeship I have completed in the Partnership and I would recommend them to anyone.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employer and the team I work in were a great support. Giving me the time I needed to do the work, I also had a lot of support from the head of my branch, who more than once acted as a sounding board.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Just the right amount I needed. Initially I had regular calls and meet ups with the trainer and that rapidly tapered off to once every 4-6 weeks which gave me the space to get tasks and studying done
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It has given me a great knowledge of not just my role, but a better understanding of the naunces that go into making the whole branch run on an hour by hour basis. There are a lot of things that I haven;t had a part in and now have been able to participate in more than just running my department.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
The business as a whole has a very good social network, where not only in branches but across the whole partnership you are able to participate in reading, surfing, painting, walking, running clubs and more,
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend John Lewis Partnership to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have worked for the Partnership for 17 years and would always recommend it as a place that puts the development of its partners first. Not just to benefit the company, but it truly cares for its partners wellbeing,
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to John Lewis Partnership?
Go for it. Even if you don't know what you want to do, you can find yourself and figure out your path. I came as a catering assistant with the aim of being here roughly 2 years. In that time I have been a coffee trainer, been to college 7 times to train to be a chef, worked all over the partnership including living in the lake district. You are fully supported to be you.
