Could your business benefit from taking on an apprentice?
According to recent figures, the number of people starting an apprenticeship grew from 279,000 in 2009/10, to 440,000 in 2013/14.
More and more young people are considering an apprenticeship to be an attractive alternative to going to university. In fact, level 6 higher apprenticeships are equivalent to a bachelor degree.
Particularly since the rise of tuition fees in 2012, young people are deciding they don’t want to end up thousands of pounds in debt. But would rather, through an apprenticeship, gain a valuable qualification while earning money and benefitting from real-life work experience in a field they enjoy.
At Clear Books we have two digital marketing apprentices. Tom has been with us since April 2014 and has just been offered a full-time position, and Theo has been with the company since July 2014 and is heading off to university to study psychology in September, having spent his gap year working, learning and getting real business experience.
So could recruiting an apprentice be an option for your company?
Hiring an apprentice benefits both parties. The apprentice gets an opportunity to learn something they’re interested in while earning money, and your business gets someone enthusiastic and excited to start their career, with a passion for learning.
We asked Tom and Theo a few questions about their apprentice experience:
How did you become an apprentice?
Theo: My mother’s boss received an email about an apprenticeship with Clear Books, and he was aware that I was looking for a work experience opportunity during my gap year, so he forwarded it on to me. I then applied and came in for an interview and was offered the position on the same day that I finished my A-Level exams. Not many people get offered a job on the same day they finish school, so I was ecstatic!
Tom: I heard about apprenticeships from a friend at school and realised that university wasn’t my only option after sixth form. I remember going home and searching on Google for apprenticeships based in London within the IT sector – this is because I felt it was always my strong point and I wanted to pursue a career within a growing and dynamic field. Eventually, after a couple of phone and face-to-face interviews, I was presented with the opportunity to work at Clear Books!
Why did you become an apprentice?
Theo: I was desperate to have a break from study, but at the same time I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing for my entire gap year, so when I heard about the opportunity to work and learn at a local tech company, I couldn’t turn it down.
Tom: I became an apprentice because I didn’t want to come out of university in debt, with a limited choice of job prospects. I felt that being proactive and taking part in an apprenticeship would benefit me greatly, as I would gain experience and business qualifications simultaneously. I also jumped at the opportunity to work in a young and dynamic environment situated in a lovely part of London.
How did you choose what to study?
Theo: I was attracted to the social media and digital marketing apprenticeship for a number of reasons. Firstly, in this modern world where everyone communicates through social media, I couldn’t think of a more valuable skill to have on my CV when I’m looking for work in the future. Nowadays, the most successful businesses are generally those that have a good online presence, so working towards an NVQ in Social Media and Digital Marketing while earning money seemed like a win win situation. Secondly, I am fascinated by psychology, and I think there is a really close link between marketing and psychology since you need to be able to understand and think like your audience to market your business effectively.
Tom: I always knew that I wanted to study something IT based, as I felt it came naturally to me. When I found out about the digital marketing and social media apprenticeship, I felt it best suited me as the work would be a challenge but also rewarding too. It has also made me realise how important digital marketing is for a business, and how it is an essential part of any marketing plan to increase visibility on search engines and ultimately increase client prospects. This means I can apply my new knowledge to any business in the future!
How did Clear Books get involved?
Theo: The Clear Books team is very young, and over the seven years Clear Books has been around, they have had a number of students work for a year as part of their university internships. In fact, the head developer at Clear Books found his job through an internship during his third year at University. Offering apprenticeships seemed like the next logical step, particularly since Clear Books’ sister company Fubra was taking on two apprentices on the same course.
How long does your apprenticeship last?
Theo: The apprenticeship lasts a year, and is a full time job so generally eight hours per day. Alongside the job, we also work towards an NVQ qualification by doing 3 week long webinar sessions where we complete different assignments to earn the qualification, such as creating a website. We have also had two workshops hosted by the apprenticeship providers.
Tom: Like most apprenticeships my course is a year long, and this involves working 9-5pm hours from Monday to Friday, with on the job learning towards my qualification on the side. The extra work includes occasional workshops with other apprentices, or week long webinars for each specific unit in my apprenticeship. Most of the time it doesn’t feel like an apprenticeship as I have a full time position, with key responsibilities in the SEO role.
What have you gained from the experience?
Theo: Personally, I think the most valuable thing I’ve gained from my apprenticeship is the work experience. Working as part of a young and dynamic team has taught me a huge amount about how to consistently finish tasks to a high standard as part of a team. At school, a lot of what you do is spoon fed to you, but this job has taught me how to conceive, plan and carry out tasks.
Tom: From the experience as a whole, I feel like I have grown significantly as a person. I have not only gained a lot of confidence during my apprenticeship, but I have also gained communication skills and people skills within the workplace – something I believe can only be learnt when you’re exposed to an intimate work environment on a daily basis. Furthermore, I have also gained several skills in my job role, with the confidence to suggest new ideas and improve the way I handle tasks daily. I believe working at Clear Books has made me a happier and more professional person – so thank you for the opportunity!
What would you say to anyone who is just leaving school and considering becoming an apprentice?
Theo: Just do it! Provided that your parents are willing to let you stay at home for free, earning money and a qualification doing something you enjoy is the best thing you can do. Not to mention the fact that if you work hard and become a friendly member of the team, there is a chance you could be offered a full time position at the end. In some ways apprenticeships are better than going to university. Employers don’t want to hire people straight out of university because although they have great qualifications, they have little work experience. Therefore, apprenticeships can give you an advantage, particularly if you are able to keep your job.
Tom: To anyone who is leaving school and considering becoming an apprentice, I highly recommend it! One of the biggest benefits is that you are essentially getting paid to learn, whilst also gaining experience within an industry. It opens up so many opportunities for young people, and gives you a head start with your career. If you have doubts about starting an apprenticeship because of university, remember that you still have the opportunity to go once your apprenticeship has finished!
What would you like to do once your apprenticeship is over?
Theo: I am planning to go to university in September to study psychology, but hopefully my apprenticeship at Clear Books will help me to get jobs in marketing and technology in the future.
Tom: When my apprenticeship is over I hope to be given the opportunity to continue working for Clear Books, to gain more experience and knowledge within the SEO and digital marketing role.
Whether you’ve hired an apprentice yourself, or are considering it, let us know in the comments!
For further information visit the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/further-education-skills/apprenticeships
