Retail manager Review
at The Co-op
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Retail Manager
Pencoed
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
3.6 /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!
4.5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
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
-Customer service -Standards
-People
Cash
Deliveries
Legals
-People
Cash
Deliveries
Legals
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
The practical work, and not having to depend on an end of course exam appealed to me. Learning new techniques and a sense of achievement.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Not a new skill as such, more of an insight to planning and outcome in HR, from the business directive. I could see the pattern from my own businesses decisions.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Program was well structured, once I got use to the routine and platform I was happy with that.
However there was an IT issue where all my assignments opened up to me and I rushed through them thinking that was the pace needed. I was then ahead on my submissions and had to wait from November to February on my last assignment. This issue was not picked up by my support until it was too late.
However there was an IT issue where all my assignments opened up to me and I rushed through them thinking that was the pace needed. I was then ahead on my submissions and had to wait from November to February on my last assignment. This issue was not picked up by my support until it was too late.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
They participated in the scheduled calls and allowed me the freedom to gain the experiences in my work place and to complete my work. If I needed guidance they provided this. Everything I asked for was offered and. Completed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
I had the scheduled meeting put in place, quite often these were canceled or moved to different days or times. As I was working and some required my line manager it was very difficult to make the calls. The fact that we were working was never a consideration and we fed this back at the time.
I had a big gap from July/Aug where I had nothing other than email. No communication when I submitted my last piece of work, other than schooling the submission. I was not made aware of time lines for marking after submission. I had to chance results sometimes to find out if I’d passed.
Webinars were also cancelled and I had to atttend one where I had already done the work and passed it, due to the IT issue and me getting ahead.
I had a big gap from July/Aug where I had nothing other than email. No communication when I submitted my last piece of work, other than schooling the submission. I was not made aware of time lines for marking after submission. I had to chance results sometimes to find out if I’d passed.
Webinars were also cancelled and I had to atttend one where I had already done the work and passed it, due to the IT issue and me getting ahead.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
At my role I was already carrying out people management and had experience. This gave me more of an insight into the business decisions and directions. A more rounded view.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Not business organised. I could socialise with the people I work with and arrange an event like this.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend The Co-op to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The portal once I knew what I was doing was fairly straight forward and structured. Time frames can be amended and you can track exactly where you are.
The support training materials actually set out the structure needed for the assignments you just tailor them to your examples and experience.
The support training materials actually set out the structure needed for the assignments you just tailor them to your examples and experience.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to The Co-op?
The training materials give you the structure needed in your assignments, so use this to refer back to and planning.
Deadlines are fluid
Make sure you set your time aside for you and the course
Deadlines are fluid
Make sure you set your time aside for you and the course
