Want to get into the vast arena of digital marketing and build a successful career? It is a great opportunity filled with experiences, learnings, and unquestionably, fun. In this era, a business can barely stay alive if it’s not investing in digital marketing. This results in increasing demand in the digital marketing profession. And digital marketing apprenticeships are great way to get into this.
You get hands-on training in digital marketing. At the same time, you will be developing your digital marketing skills and expertise. This blog is all about digital marketing apprenticeships. You will learn how it can benefit you to grow a successful digital marketing career.
Table of Contents
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital Marketing is the process of taking a business online. Advertising, promotion, sales, management, and giving perfect customer service, everything needs digital marketing. Grabbing your audience’s attention and turning them into regularly paying customers can also be done through digital marketing.
In its simplest form, digital marketing is the promotion of business by using electronic devices. For example, desktop computers, smartphones, and other digital media and platforms. Today digital marketing also involves electronic messaging, videos, visual contents, podcasts, electronic billboards, digital television, radio channels etc. Particularly anything that markets a business without being physically present. Digital marketing takes advantage of the internet and technology.
In its advanced form, digital marketing is advertising a business or product through digital channels. Like search engines, websites, social media, email, and mobile applications. Thus, digital marketing is a strategy that big or small companies use to promote goods, services, and brands.
Today, most aspects of our life took their turn to digital means. We can communicate, manage our finance, and even order our groceries online. Basically, a big part of our life is now dependent online. Whenever we are willing to buy something or learn something, the first step has become researching about it online.
Digital marketing is taking advantage of all these aspects. It helps spread awareness, build relationships, and deliver services. Also, through digital marketing, you can provide excellent customer service. As a result, customers come back to the business and build a brand reputation.
Lastly, digital marketing is a vast area. It is all about building strategies and applying them to make a business reach its full potential. And getting into a digital marketing apprenticeship can land you a bright future.
Digital Marketing Industry
We are more and more down to digital technologies and the digital environment. Business marketing is constantly evolving and becoming more digital-oriented. So, businesses cannot be successful without investing in digital marketing. Offering digital marketing apprenticeships is an excellent way for companies to hire people who can grow as digital marketers. At the same time, they also help the business succeed digitally.
The UK is a technologically advanced country. The digital advertising market of the UK is the biggest one in Europe and the third-largest in the world. According to the data of 2020, UK businesses spent around 62% of their budgets on digital advertising.
Doing digital marketing apprenticeships mean you have taken a role to be a digital marketer. As a digital marketer, you will help create and optimise website content. You use social media and utilise attractive content according to the purpose of the business you are working on.
You can help a business grow a lot with the help of a digital marketing strategy. Likewise, you can do so by using suitable digital platforms to interact with the audience. Digital marketing creates brand awareness, promotes products and services to potential customers, delivers the right message to the right customers at the right time.
All these make the demand for digital marketers is very high. But the number of fully skilled, experienced digital marketers is pretty low. This is where digital marketing apprenticeships come in to bridge the gap. Nowadays, business employers are working with small groups of expert digital marketers and more employees who are apprentices or trainees.
Related: Digital Marketing Strategy: 7 Effective Ways You should Consider
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job where you learn and gain skills from a company while you study for a formal qualification. You need to study for one day each week in a college or training centre. An apprenticeship will help you gain skills and knowledge that is necessary to grow in your career. The skills will also help you to move forward to the next apprentice level.
What skills and knowledge you will learn during apprenticeship depends on the role you are training for. It also depends on the level of apprenticeship. Moreover, all kind of apprenticeships follows an approved study program. As a result, you will gain a nationally-recognised qualification after the apprenticeship program is over.
The qualification you may gain from an apprenticeship includes:
Consecutively, you will also gain transferable skills or soft skills. They are also valuable skills that employers look for while hiring you. These skills are mostly:
Apprenticeship Levels
You cannot just apply to any level of apprenticeship. There are levels of apprenticeship which are equivalent to a different academic qualification.
Apprenticeships have four different levels:
- 1. Intermediate: equals to five good GCSE passes.
- 2. Advanced: similar to two A-level passes.
- 3. Higher: as good as the first stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree.
- 4. Degree: comparable to a Bachelors or Master’s degree.
Time Length for Each Level of Apprenticeship
The time to complete an apprenticeship will depend on different factors. Like the level of apprenticeship, your line of job and company, employers need and also, your own ability.
Generally, an apprenticeship lasts between one and six years. The length of the apprenticeship follows the basic framework, depending on the apprenticeship level.
- Intermediate apprenticeships usually last between one year and 18 months.
- Advanced apprenticeships are typically studied over two years.
- Higher and degree apprenticeships take three-to-six years to complete.
It is recommended you consult your employers directly about the duration of the apprenticeship before applying for it. This is because a lot of companies doesn’t follow the same framework.
What is a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship?
In digital marketing apprenticeships, you will learn industry skills, apply them, and earn at the same time. You can study and do A digital marketing apprenticeship at the same time. Also, you will work towards a qualification recognised by the industry.
Though digital marketing is a vast arena, you can start it at any point. You don’t necessarily need high education or a degree to be a marketer. However, a high school education can land you digital marketing apprenticeships.
Furthermore, to get a digital marketing apprenticeship, you will need to know how to operate electronic devices and digital channels through which digital marketing is done. The business that is offering digital marketing apprenticeships will be paying you a salary. But it is less in comparison to what a fully qualified digital marketer will demand for the same role.
However, the company will invest in your future. They will also want to give personalised training and also build loyalty to the business. In the digital era, businesses require permanent but evolving solutions and services to grow. By hiring apprentices, company’s will also want to train you in a way that you become an expert marketer for their business.
Digital marketing has become crucial to making a business successful. So, many kinds of companies and industries employ an apprentice. Any industry from fashion to education, media, real estate, to charity need digital marketing. So you will find digital marketing apprenticeships available in all sorts of industries.
Alongside, the skills you are developing during apprenticeship are transferable across different industries. Many companies also offer industry-recognised certification. As a result, you can opt for a career in different industries as well.
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Insight
Digital marketing is a broad term and consists of many aspects. So an apprenticeship will cover many roles. For example, you can be responsible for copywriting, SEO to running paid campaigns and social media management, and other marketing strategies.
The roles and responsibilities for digital marketing apprenticeships may vary today. You may have to help out senior marketing staff with their workload. And you can end up with your own responsibilities depending on the size of the team. The job of an apprentice is also to spend specific time with the different digital marketing departments in a company. They may need to shadow and report to their senior or line manager. Digital marketing job roles also depends on the size of the company as well.
Besides, apprenticeships usually focus on one core part of marketing. For example, a content marketing apprenticeship might focus on creating and delivering search engine-friendly content that attracts audiences. On the other hand, a social media apprenticeship will focus on commercials and social media posts to engage with audiences. They will be paid to advertise and create viral content for Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube platforms.
Why Pursue a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship?
Digital Marketing is full of excitement, and it’s a fast-paced career. As the technological environment changes at a rapid speed, so does digital marketing activities. And you get to learn and build a career in digital marketing where you can be successful.
You can learn creative approaches to solve marketing problems. You will also need analytical power and a good understanding of people. All this you can grow with properly studying and working in the marketing sector today.
You can pursue digital marketing apprenticeships if you want to start work straight after school. It can be an enjoyable job once you gain experience and knowledge of it. It is also a great option for you if you want a change in your career. Through a digital marketing apprenticeship, you will get hands-on experience. You can use them in any sector of your professional life, even if you don’t want to directly work in a digital marketing line in the future.
All in all, if you want a career in digital marketing, getting a digital marketing apprenticeship is the way to go.
Like most apprenticeships, digital marketing apprenticeships are a great opportunity for school-leavers. It is becoming an increasingly successful alternative to university, specifically degree apprenticeship.
What Skills You will Gain During Digital Marketing Apprenticeship?
Ultimately, if you have a goal to open your own business doing a digital marketing apprenticeship help you build your own business. The skills you will gain are highly valuable. Also, you can choose a career in any one of those as well. If you are joining a digital marketing apprenticeship, the following are some of the many skills that you will develop:
Entry Requirements for a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
Just like all apprenticeships, there are several levels of digital marketing apprenticeships. The entry requirements will also differ from company to company. Apprenticeships can start from Level 2 (Intermediate) and go up to Level 7. The Level 7 apprenticeship is equivalent to a master’s degree.
Here is how digital marketing apprenticeships works and few requirements:
Moreover, completing apprenticeships may lead to a permanent job offer with the same company. But this is not guaranteed. You can always check with your employer.
Companies offering apprenticeships will always state the entry requirements. So, you have to be sure and have the certifications, paper, or any kind of evidence of qualification ready when you are applying for the part.
What do Digital Marketing Apprenticeships Involve?
The roles and responsibilities of digital marketing apprenticeships can vary depending on the company you will be working for. But apprenticeships usually take two years to complete. You can learn from it in different ways, which may combine classroom learning and on-the-job experience.
Digital Marketing apprenticeships might involve:
- Market Research
- Search Engine Optimisation
- Communication and Customer Service
- Social Media Marketing and Management
- Planning and Budgeting Digital Marketing Campaigns
- Email Marketing Campaigns
- Content Marketing
As you learn and do the jobs, you need to build a portfolio of evidence. Record all the projects and jobs you have done throughout your apprenticeship. This portfolio will help you to pitch yourself to the company you are working for and become a permanent part of it. It will also help you find new jobs and opportunities.
Skills and Qualities for Digital Marketing Apprenticeships
So let’s check some skills and qualities necessary for digital marketing. Keep in mind that this skill requirement will change depending on the company you will be working for.
How To Become a Digital Marketing Apprentice?
Finding a digital marketing apprenticeship is like looking for a job. First, do your research on the organisation, what kind of apprenticeships they offer and be aware of the apprenticeship’s responsibilities. Then, tailor your resume and application according to the job requirement of the role.
Nowadays, applications are made online through application forms. But you should still check with the employer, as the method may differ. Use relevant examples and industry-specific keywords in your application to showcase your skills. For example, you have to show your copywriting skills or tech skills for digital marketing apprenticeships.
Some employers may judge you in the interview through situational questions, numerical and psychometric tests. You may also need to take part in an assessment centre as part of your recruitment process.
Many company schemes are advertising at the start of the year from January to April. They aim to start the apprenticeship program in September of the same year. However, you can also find apprenticeships all around the year. Hence, keep checking for vacancies regularly.
Top Companies Offering Digital Marketing Apprenticeships
You will find digital marketing apprenticeships offered by many companies in London. But there are also companies of different sizes offering apprenticeships in different parts of the country. All of them are worth looking at to find the one best suited for you.
Some popular companies who offer digital marketing apprenticeships in the UK are:
Amazon
Amazon provides 18-month long Level 3 digital marketing apprenticeships. It is mainly based in London. In order to qualify, you must have two A-Levels (or equivalent) grade C or above. In addition, one of the subjects needs to be the English Language. The other can be any subject of your choice.
Besides, you should have or be studying towards a Level 2 qualification of 120 credits or more. Your work will be full-time office hours, and you will get workshop-based training. After the program, you should have earned a Level 3 Diploma in Digital Marketing. Consecutively, You have the access to join as an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Also, you can get Associate membership of BCS Recognition for entry to the Register of IT Technicians.
The ultimate tech giant, Google, offers Level 3 digital marketing apprenticeships in the UK alongside the whole world. Google digital marketing apprenticeship open in November every year. And successful applicants will start in the autumn of the following year. And the apprenticeships can last from 15 to 24 months.
Entry requirements are flexible. You will need strong academic performance at any level of education or transferable experience. In addition, you have to be from subjects or fields that are relevant to the apprenticeship you are applying for. Also, you have to provide a cover letter detailing the reason for your application and also answer questions or complete an aptitude test.
BT
BT, the communications company, was ranked 4th in the Government’s list of the top 100 apprenticeships employers in 2020. The recent BT digital marketing apprenticeship advertised was Level 6. The successful candidate worked with both the marketing and sales teams. They got to learn specific and transferable skills like delivering customer campaigns. The entry requirements for the program were four GCSEs with grades C or above and three A-Levels of grades B, C, C or above.
Other similar popular digital marketing apprenticeship offering companies are:
Digital Marketing Apprentice Salary
A digital marketing apprenticeship will pay you the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The current NMW for apprentices under 19 is £4.15 per hour in the UK. It is also similar for those aged over 19 and is in their first year.
If your age is over 19, and you are done with the first year of apprenticeship, your salary will be the minimum wage rate for your age. Check your minimum wage according to your age in the National Minimum Wage Living Wage calculator, which is made for all UK workers.
You will get paid for regular working hours and also for any training that is part of the apprenticeship program. In addition, you can get 20 days of paid holiday per year along with paid bank holidays. The overall salary is determined by individual employers.
Interview Questions for Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
Even if you think you don’t have enough skills or educational qualifications, a digital marketing apprenticeship can be the right job opportunity. All you have to do is write a killer CV and nail your interview. And, to make a good impression on the employer, prepare yourself well for a digital marketing career. You can start with perfecting your interview skills for the apprenticeship.
The main key to going through your interview is researching the companies and employees as much as possible. If you know your employer operates in a workplace, you will be able to answer them properly.
So, we have gathered some insight into commonly asked digital marketing apprenticeship interview questions.
Tell us something about yourself.
This question is usually asked so that your employers can know you better and break the ice. They may want to get to know you a bit more personal. They would like to know your hobbies, skills, and qualities. You can talk about anything about your personality that could benefit or be relevant to the role.
But try to keep your answer short. Give a rundown of the things you wrote in your CV, your interest, and your personality.
Why did you apply for this digital marketing apprenticeship?
It is one of the important interview questions. In your apprenticeship interview. You must clearly explain to the interviewer why you have applied for the apprenticeship. The job description and company research will come in handy here during this interview question. While preparing for answering this question, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the company attract you?
- Does the content of the apprenticeship interest you?
- How will you benefit from this apprenticeship
What skills or values can you bring to this work?
Talk about your strengths and potential while answering this question. Speak about things like:
- Are you a creative person?
- Do you work well with others?
- Are you a team player?
- Are you organised?
Avoid using buzzwords or soft skills to explain your skills and values. Instead, give them real-life examples of your skills.
What is your biggest weakness?
Answer this question genuinely and honestly but with tact. Tell them about some skills you do not have, but you are willing to learn and grow. Moreover, it will show that you are aware of your weaknesses and have your personal goals of improving them. Avoid answers like “I work too hard. So I often run out of work.”
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01. Top Reasons Why People Should Consider a Career in Digital Marketing
02. World of Digital Marketing
03. Five ways a Digital Marketing Course Can Improve Your Business
04. Digital Marketing Strategy: 7 Effective Ways You should Consider
05. The Future of Freelance Digital Marketing
06. Digital Marketing Basics for Beginners: Ultimate Guide for skeptic mind
Is there anything you would like to know about us?
Never answer this question with a simple NO. You can always ask something about the company to your interviewers. Moreover, it is a great opportunity to get to understand the apprenticeship. You can ask questions about the responsibilities of the role, available opportunities for progression. Also, you can ask about the company culture, or if there are any additional qualifications or training, you may require for the job.
You can even ask, “what is the next stage of the apprenticeship interview process?” It is better than saying, “no, thank you.”
Final Words
Digital Marketing is an ever-growing sector, and so is the career path of digital marketing. Digital marketing apprenticeships can help you flourish by bringing out your creativity and intelligence. Moreover, an apprenticeship can lead you to become a great and wanted digital marketer. At the same time, you can develop your own business with the knowledge and skills. To gain more insight into digital marketing and the different components of digital marketing, join our Digital Marketing Course.
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