Level 6 Apprenticeship: Joe's Journey
- eiliscarr3
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 10
We are delighted to share the fantastic story of Joe Rodgers, who works as Store Manager in our Dungloe Branch.
Joe joined the RETAIL APPRENTICE program in September of 2024, and as we approach the upcoming intake for 2025 I thought his story might inspire others to persue their own pathway for progression in 2025. Joe was nominated by his classmates to be the Class rep, so I thought it befitting that he shares his story.
What is the LEVEL 6 APPRENTICESHIP IN RETAIL SUPERVISION
24 month program
26 days per year of training (part of your normal working week)
QQI Level 6 in RETAIL SUPERVISION
Opportunity to progress to the degree program once complete.
Dr. Oran Doherty talks more about the program here:
Now over to Joe to talk about his first year on the program.
So Joe, How did you find out about the course?
I found out about the course through conversations with Conal and Mark. I’d made them aware of my own interest in progressing my career within the company and they let me know that this course, a really good stepping stone to do just that...
What made you go for it?
Well knowing that the course would put me in a good place to start my progression it seemed like a no brainer. The fact that I’d be paid to go to college in Galway and get some qualifications, was a crazy thought for me.
The last time I went to college in Galway it cost my poor parents €20,000... and a whole lot of heartache lol.
The prospect of bettering my own education as well as putting me in a good position to progress my career was more than enough motivation for me to register my interest in the course and thankfully, I was selected!
Context: Training days are part of your normal weeks work when on the apprenticeship, three days worked plus two days training equates your normal weeks wages (on weeks you have courses to attend, normal working hours the weeks/months you do not)
Talk about the experience going to the first session?
Well, first and foremost I was buzzing to be back in Galway. I knew other people from Kelco would be on the course with me, so I was excited to meet them and see what their kind of management backgrounds were to learn from them- as well as obvious excitement for the academic & management learnings from the course itself.
I believe we had Maria Devenney for our first module and I must say she did an excellent job kind of breaking the ice for all the apprentices on the course. By the first lunch break at 1 o’clock, I found myself walking down to Centra for a chicken fillet roll with 5/6 strangers- so I feel like we all got settled and acquainted pretty quickly.
Best moments so far?
The first time checking into the Maldron was a nice buzz! I felt like I was a proper businessman checking in through the company name!
I believe Paul Kelly was down in the hotel that night too so obviously getting to sit down and have a pint with him could be the best moment so far haha.
I would say getting results back from my first assignment was a good buzz too, seeing the results of a few evenings hard work getting the assignment done felt really rewarding. I also sent my result into a wee group chat I have with Conal and Mark and let me tell you that thumbs up from Conal was a nice feeling!
Biggest challenge so far?
I would say trying to balance coursework and actual work has been the biggest challenge, but even at that I don’t find it to be too bad.
I keep myself well disciplined and any time I do have an assignment due I’ll always commit at least 3 hours a week to it in the evenings and I find at that I always have my work submitted well ahead of the deadline.
The company have given me a golden opportunity and I try my best in every module to show gratitude through academic discipline because it really is a privilege to be in the position I am with the course.
How does the course fit in with your ‘career progression’, where do you want to be and how do you see the course helping you get there?
Well I don’t really have a clear idea of what it is I want to do within this company, but I definitely know I want to make a career out of this job and I think being on this course gives me a great opportunity to do just that.
The fact that the company is investing so much time and money into this course and, by extension, me motivates me to do my best every single day. The course is broadening my knowledge and experience and I’m learning a lot from the course itself, but also through meeting the other apprentices.
There’s a really wide variety of both work and management experience on the course and I feel like the learning from that is just as powerful as the learning from the coursework itself.
That helps me to grow myself as a person but also helps me in growing myself as a manager and, going forward in the company, I feel like I’m better positioned to take advantage of any opportunities for progression.
What advice would you have for someone thinking about applying for the 2025 intake?
I would say just grab the opportunity with both hands. There’s so much investment there- put yourself in the conversation to receive it.
If you’re someone who wants to progress within the company, this is a chance at receiving qualifications while you work a full-time job. It’s a no brainer for me!
What would you say to someone who’s nervous about doing projects/exams again?
There’s actually just the one exam in first year and I did it there last monday in about 40 minutes!
For every module there’s always a one hour assessment clinic to attend and they break everything down so well. I used to be absolutely brutal for leaving my exam study and assignments until last minute but I feel like the assessment clinics make it really easy to focus on how to get the assignments and study done.
As I said above as well, if you can commit 3 hours a week of your own time to coursework you honestly will not find it hard at all. One thing I like about doing this course whilst working my 9-5 is I feel like it’s really easy for me to maintain my 9-5 mindset and actually apply that to college work. And if all that isn’t enough to motivate you, the thumbs up from Conal when you send him assignment results will surely do it <3
Thanks Joe for sharing your story, experiences and advice! Looking forward to seeing you attend your graduation alongside the rest of the Kelco Team participating on the program.
If you would like to know more about the program, every Wednesday Retail Ireland host an information session @10am
LINK TO SESSION: CLICK HERE
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