Skills for Life – National Apprenticeship Week
This year, the theme for National Apprenticeship Week is Skills for Life. To demonstrate how powerful an Apprenticeship can be, I wanted to share my journey.
My name is Sophie and I manage the marketing for Sue Willmott HR and Careers Consultancy. I also work full-time job as a Compliance Manager for another organisation.
I completed a Marketing Apprenticeship in 2013 – so 10 years ago this year; and still to this day I believe it was the best route for me.
Having finished my college course early with a triple Distinction, I started applying to University. I had selected my first choice (Consumer Behaviour and Marketing at the University of Reading) – until I realised that wasn’t what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to move away and I wasn’t interested in the ‘Uni life’. After re-evaluating, I looked at my options and discovered apprenticeships. Knowing I still wanted to work in marketing, I discussed my plan with my tutor and was informed it would be difficult to get an apprenticeship in this field. 10 years ago there wasn’t as many apprenticeship options as there are now.
Due to this, I decided to look for a Business Administration Apprenticeship and then specialise in marketing – this was my five-year plan. While I was looking at Business Admin Apprenticeships, a Marketing Apprenticeship became available. I applied, was offered the job and managed to achieve my five-year plan in just one year.
Since completing the apprenticeship, I continue to use, update and build on the skills I learned. My apprenticeship taught me so much more than the ‘Fundamentals of Marketing’. It taught me business and office etiquette, networking techniques, writing skills, organisation skills, communication skills and prioritisation between coursework and day-to-day office work.
The classroom side worked seamlessly with my office job and I was able to take what I was learning and apply it straight away, which really suited my learning style.
I chose an apprenticeship so that I could continue learning in a classroom environment, as well as gain experience in a work environment, in a geographical location I was comfortable in. I wanted to work and learn, so it was the perfect mix.
Although my main career has taken a slight turn, I still involve myself in Marketing at any opportunity. Whether that is in a work capacity, volunteering/helping others or my home life. I still have the passion that I found through my apprenticeship – they really do provide Skills for Life.
If you would like to know more about how an apprenticeship can work for you, get in touch with our team who can talk you through your options.
