Aldi's entry level job paying $87,000
Aldi might already be go-to supermarket for discount groceries, but it’s also becoming a one-stop shop for high-paying entry level jobs, with reports suggesting the German retailer is paying university graduates more than dentists, doctors and engineers.
News.com.au reports Aldi has opened applications for its 2019 graduate program, with 16 positions available across Australia on a starting salary of $87,000.
According to Graduate Careers Australia’s 2015 report, dentistry and optometry have a median starting salary of $80,000, followed by medicine on $65,000, education on $61,000, and engineering, earth sciences and mathematics on $60,000.
“I joined the Aldi graduate program in 2016 after studying Law and Commerce at the University of Notre Dame,” area manager Caitlin Gallagher said in a statement released by Aldi.
“While I was at university, I had a friend who worked at Aldi. I had the opportunity to not only watch his career evolve, but build a career path I didn’t even know existed. After I graduated from university, I looked into the program. The role was really appealing to me... so I applied and joined.”
After 18 months of training, graduates are given the opportunity to take on the role of area manager which puts them in charge of the running of three to five stores.
Ms Gallagher said, “You also spend time in the Sydney head office rotating through different departments learning about quality assurance, logistics, property management and corporate buying, just to name a few.
“Another great aspect of the program is the training provided on developing your leadership skills. Aldi has a unique management system that provides principles to help guide us on how we should lead and develop our own teams.
“Graduates also work with area managers and mentors who show you everything you need to know for when you complete the program and move onto the next level. The graduate program allows you to develop a broader understanding of both the Aldi business, and the retail industry and in particular develop your leadership skills.”
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be in their final year of study, have recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree and demonstrated “academic excellence”.
“I’ve watched numerous colleagues move into a variety of different roles within the business,” Ms Gallagher added.
“There are many interesting and exciting opportunities to pursue within Aldi, so I definitely see myself staying long-term.”
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