From Shop Floor to Senior Management: The Aldi Apprenticeship Journey
Apprenticeships are becoming a vital pathway into retail leadership, and Aldi’s scheme exemplifies how hands-on experience can lead to long-term career success.
We find out from a former Aldi apprentice Freddie – now an Area Manager – what it’s really like to earn while you learn, the steps to progression within the company, and why apprenticeships are a valuable talent development strategy for businesses. From mastering day-to-day store operations to gaining critical leadership skills, this interview highlights the transformative power of training on the job.
A conversation with … Freddie Wakelin, Area Manager
Why did you choose to do an Aldi Apprenticeship?
I chose the Aldi apprenticeship because it was allowing me to learn whilst on the job. Instead of taking the college/university route it allowed me to gain a qualification whilst still earning money and starting my career in management and leadership.
Never Miss a Retail Update!What was your favourite thing about your Apprenticeship?
The fact that no day was the same! It’s a very reactive role which keeps you busy, I would never be thinking that my shift was dragging, I always had tasks to complete and that allowed me to enjoy my work and make me feel like I was having a real impact on the store.
What were your steps of progression from Apprentice to Area Manager? (i.e. what roles have you worked within)?
I started as an Apprentice back in 2012, I have worked through every rank within the store, moving to Deputy Manager in 2015, then being promoted to Assistant Manager in 2016, after that I became a Store Manager in 2020 and then am currently an Area Manager and have been since July 2024.
What are the main reasons you feel you were able to progress from Apprentice to Area Manager?
The main reason why I was able to progress was because of the trust put into me from the various management teams I worked under. If you give 100% then Aldi managers will give you 100% back, you really feel appreciated if you want to develop within your role at Aldi.
What do you like about having Apprentices join your store teams whilst you’re an Area Manager?
I feel like a bit of a mentor; the best part of the role is seeing somebody grow from role to role. Apprentices are a vital part of our company as we see them as our leaders of the future.
What skills did you gain during the apprenticeship that you feel are most valuable now?
During the apprenticeship, some of the skills I learnt, I still use today. When joining an organisation, it can feel quite daunting, but I had supportive colleagues and managers around me. My apprenticeship allowed me to develop people skills and has contributed to my managerial position at present. Having worked in a variety of roles, I have gained the skill set and experience to show empathy when dealing with difficult conversations and show patience and understanding for my team.
Operating the basic tasks in the organisation on a daily basis, again, helps me set realistic targets for my team as I have a good understanding from my previous experiences and roles.
What would you say to encourage more businesses to embrace apprenticeships as part of their talent development strategy?
With the constant rise in student loans/fees with university, it has become apparent that sometimes when achieving the best result at university a lot of students don’t then end up going into a career in which they studied. Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to learn and earn at the same time! Being able to recruit for an apprenticeship scheme allows businesses to mould individuals from the very start of their careers and guide them along their career path.
The work that you put into people at the start of their careers will in turn help in 4-5 years’ time when you have experienced young workers working with you.
Employing apprentices allows businesses time to give real feedback and set clear goals and expectations so that the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is ready for a full-time career within the organisation.
Retail as a career
Retail is far more than a weekend or part-time job—it’s a dynamic, rewarding career that spans almost every function imaginable, from legal and communications to marketing, management, buying, merchandising, and logistics. With such a diverse mix of opportunities, the sector offers genuine progression and growth for those willing to explore its full potential.
From mastering day-to-day store operations to gaining critical leadership skills, this interview highlights the transformative power of training on the job.
Aldi – Investing in talent and career development
As one of Britain’s fastest-growing supermarkets, with over 1,050 stores and 45,000 colleagues, Aldi’s success is built on its people. With a commitment to rewarding talent, offering market-leading pay, and fostering a positive working environment, Aldi is a multi-award-winning employer.
Their Apprenticeship strategy focuses on social mobility and diversity, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds has a chance to thrive, including removing educational qualification requirements for Career Starter Programmes.
Aldi’s inclusive training initiatives – such as diversity & inclusion, LGBTQIA+ terminology, disability awareness modules, and leadership training for managers – help them build a strong, informed, and dynamic workforce. Combined with support of specialist partners, Aldi continues to lead the way in fostering long-term career development within the retail sector.
