Work Experience with Wickes
A one-week work experience in Watford offers young people insight into functions like Commercial, Finance, Legal, Marketing, HR, Store Operations, and Technology. During the week, you’ll work alongside experienced teams, learn how each department contributes to the business’s success, and develop skills that are transferable to any career.
APPLY HEREOur Departments that offer Work Experience
View all
-
Legal
-
You will gain insight into the various areas that our legal team covers such as commercial, data, litigation and governance. Our sustainability and environment colleagues also form part of the wider legal team and so you will have insight into these areas as well.
What will you learn?
- The importance of negotiating supplier contracts to protect the business
- How we protect data and how we respond to subject access requests or other data requests from customers
- How we respond to legal claims
- The legal team's role in working alongside Solar Fast who we recently acquired a majority stake in.
Based in our Support Centre - Watford
Marketing & Digital
-
Marketing & Digital covers everything for our customer. From understanding what our customers want, creating propositions that resonate with customers, how campaigns land and are optimised across our customer channels, development of our website, advertising and social media.
Being a part of the Marketing team, you’ll learn how to do basic market research to better understand consumer preferences and trends, and understand how this influences business decisions. You’ll also learn more about how we prioritise initiatives for our website, optimise digital marketing to drive traffic to the website, social media and content creation, brainstorming ideas for campaigns, and learning how posters, adverts, and in-store materials are designed.
What will you learn?
- How customer insights are used to drive decisions
- The process behind creating effective marketing campaigns
- The role digital plays for our customers
- Impact marketing has on business growth and engagement
Based in our Support Centre - Watford
Tech
-
The Tech team is responsible for everything from the laptops we use to the tills in the stores. They make sure that we have safe and secure systems to support any of the business needs, whether that be in our stores or online to help serve our customers; in our supply chain to ensure stock is ordered and sent to our customers efficiently; or to support many of our other business functions such as Finance, Operations or HR
You will gain exposure to the different areas within the Tech function such as Cybersecurity; Engineering and Web development; Design and architecture; Project Management and delivery; Cloud computing and infrastructure; Data Management and the use of AI; and the role of the various tech support functions. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of how technology is used to enhance and support Wickes operations.
What will you learn?
- An understanding of how a Tech function operates within the retail sector
- Insights into the diverse roles within Tech
- The importance of safe, secure and efficient systems in business operations
- Knowledge of how Wickes utilises technology for business improvement
Based in our Support Centre - Watford
Human Resources
-
Our HR team is all about supporting and developing our people - from finding the right candidates for our jobs and helping colleagues grow, to making sure they get paid and keeping everyone connected. HR ensure we have everything in place to make the experience of working at Wickes an ‘experience beyond the everyday’
We’ve got three exciting opportunities where you can focus on one of our key areas of HR, selecting either: Recruitment, Internal Communications, or Learning and Development.
What will you learn?
- Recruitment: Get hands-on experience on how we attract top talent, from advertising roles to supporting the hiring process.
- Internal Communications: See how we keep colleagues engaged and informed through clear, creative communication.
- Learning and Development: Learn how we design and deliver training, from e-learning to in-person workshops, helping colleagues build the skills they need to thrive.
Based in our Support Centre - Watford
Finance
-
Our Finance team is responsible for managing our financial well-being. The Finance team are involved in all areas of the business, from ensuring suppliers are paid, to investment appraisals, business partnering different functions, internal and external reporting, liaising with investors, budgeting and forecasting, compliance and Audit.
We ensure the right financial decisions are made to allow continued profitability and returns to shareholders. During your time with the finance team, you will gain exposure to how the team manages our financial well-being and supports our business needs.
What will you learn?
- Insight into how a finance team functions
- Understand the basics of financial management
- How finance plays a vital role in the company’s overall success
Based in our Support Centre - Watford
Commercial
-
This team deals with our products. They explore new products, negotiate the best deals, ensure our products are ethically sourced, check the pricing and make sure that there are enough products for all our customers.
As part of the Commercial team, you will research new product trends and customer needs, learn supplier negotiations and pricing strategies. Also see how stock levels are managed to meet customer demand.
What will you learn?
- How products are sourced ethically
- How pricing decisions are made
- The role of the comms team in ensuring customers have access to the products they need.
Based in our Support Centre - Watford
Installations
-
The one-week work experience will allow you the opportunity to be part of our Installation Department, but firstly let me explain the word “Installations”, we support the business within our department to fit Kitchens and Bathrooms in our customers homes, we work alongside a network of installers that complete this work.
Our department oversees the end to end customer journey. Within your time with us you will gain experience in a variety of roles within our Apprenticeship Team, Service Delivery Team and our Corrective Action Team. The role will consist of office based administration tasks, engaging with Installers and apprentices, supporting completion of spreadsheets, and communicating with other areas of the department.
What will you learn?
- The role of Team Leader within Apprenticeships
- The role of Service Centre Coordinator
- Basic computer skills
- Basic spreadsheet completion
- Communication skills
- Planning and organisation skills
- The importance of working as a team
Based in our Store Distribution Centre - Northampton
Distribution
-
The one-week work experience placement provides an in-depth look at how Wickes manages its distribution and logistics operations. You will gain hands-on experience in warehousing, stock control and transport planning, learning how goods are stored, managed and delivered efficiently. Additionally, you will observe manual handling, learn about the differing types of Material Handling Equipment (MHE) and how they support the tasks within the operation, as well as the Warehouse Management System and how it is used to track inventory. The transport aspect of Distribution will provide information about fleet management, route planning and compliance with regulations to ensure efficient deliveries. Office-based tasks will focus primarily on Logistics planning, time management and supporting transport operations.
What will you learn?
- The role of a warehouse operative and the general duties of the role
- How warehousing and stock control support business operations.
- Basics of WMS technology for inventory management.
- The role of fleet management and route planning in transport logistics.
- Importance of safety and compliance in Distributions.
- How logistics teams will ensure timely and efficient store deliveries.
Based in our Store Distribution Centre - Northampton
-
FAQ's
What hours will I be expected to work during my work experience?
We’d love for you to join us from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday during your work experience week.
What should I wear?
Our offices have a smart casual dress code—so dress comfortably while still looking professional!
Will I be paid for my work experience?
Work experience at Wickes is all about giving you a great insight into what it’s like to work here. As this is a voluntary placement, there won’t be any payment, but we’re sure you’ll gain valuable experience along the way!
Which Wickes office will I be working from?
That depends on the department you're placed in!
If you're joining Legal, Marketing & Digital, Store Operations, Tech, HR (Recruitment, Internal Communications, Learning & Development), Finance, or Commercial, you'll be based at our Watford Support Centre: Vision House, 19 Colonial Way, Watford WD24 4JL
If you're working with our Installations or Distribution teams, you'll be at our Northampton Support Centre: Block B, Unit F, Salthouse Rd, Northampton NN4 7EX
Will food and refreshments be provided?
Yes! While you're onsite, we’ll provide food, drinks, and refreshments for you, completely free of charge.
Join us for a one-week work experience that gives you the chance to explore how a major business operates across key functions like Commercial, Finance, Legal, Marketing, HR, Store Operations, and Technology. This is an exciting opportunity open to colleagues and local College/Sixth Form students who want to gain valuable insights into the professional world. Don’t miss out on this opportunity, take the first step toward your future career!
APPLY HERE
I love the energy, can do and one team spirit of working at Wickes. You truly get to work with a group of great people, where you can feel at home, no matter who you are. The autonomy in my role gives me the opportunity to lead a team where together we can create communications which inspire, connect and involve our colleagues.
Priscilla - Internal Comms Manager
