A New Year brings new opportunities for students across the UK. Many consider their next steps after school, making their long-anticipated decision of attending university or entering the workforce.
For some, career or educational pathways are clear, but for many students and graduates, the question isn’t all that obvious. More students are favouring alternative options outside of university, with over a third of students in the UK preferring to complete an Apprenticeship, which provides the opportunity to gain experience and work at the same time, rather than taking the traditional degree route.
During National Apprenticeship Week, three Aldi employees shared their career stories, having started as an Apprentice with the supermarket. Aldi presents a wealth of opportunity for aspiring professionals, through their Apprenticeships in Stores, Warehouse and Driver roles, making an abundance of exciting opportunities for those looking to kickstart their career.
Starting as a Store Apprentice at Aldi in 2012, colleague Freddie Wakelin has recently progressed to an Area Manager position.
He believes starting his working career as an Aldi Apprentice was one of the best decisions he could have made, citing that “Aldi offers a clear path for progression and great support for Apprentices to develop their career.”
Freddie’s main reason for choosing to complete an Apprenticeship was the ability to earn an income while gaining a qualification at the same time. He said: “I loved my Apprenticeship; while my friends were unsure of their studies, I was able to work while learning new skills. Aldi provided clear direction and support which helped me make the most out of my time and feel like I was making a real impact on the store.”
He continued: “Although we had a clear programme, no day was the same. It is a very reactive role which keeps you busy and engaged. I always had tasks to complete which allowed me to enjoy my work and make progress.”
In 2015, after his Apprenticeship, Freddie was quickly promoted to a Deputy Store Manager role. Shortly after, he was promoted to Assistant Manager, followed by Store Manager and most recently Area Manager in July 2024. Freddie’s interest and passion for people management and leadership, along with his strong work ethic, enabled his quick progression at Aldi.
Aldi’s Apprenticeships have an impressive history of success stories. Molly Collins, who completed a Store Management Apprenticeship in 2024, was recognised as Apprentice of the Year across Aldi UK, and was also recently promoted to Deputy Store Manager in 2024.
Aldi colleague Liam Mclelland took a different route and completed the Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeship programmes in Warehouse Operations, and one year later was promoted to Deputy Warehouse Manager – a role he’s been flourishing in for the last three years.
Liam commented: “An Apprenticeship appealed to me because it’s very hands on; you have the opportunity to learn practical skills that directly relate to employment and job opportunities, which is really important to grow your career.”
He continued: “I enjoyed my Apprenticeship because I got to experience every department and take part in a variety of roles in the warehouse, meaning I got to learn a lot and understand how the business works as a whole.”
Aldi offers Apprenticeship opportunities in Stores (Career Starter and Store Management Apprenticeships) and Warehouse (Warehouse Operations Apprenticeship) positions. The Apprenticeships are between one and three years, offering a competitive rate of pay, growth opportunities, fantastic benefits, holidays and ongoing support. Aldi Apprenticeships are a reliable career choice for many students looking to gain a qualification while kickstarting their career.
Find out more about Aldi Apprenticeships and apply here Apprenticeships | Aldi Recruitment UK.
