The B2W Group specialises in the ‘Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship’, which provides learners with a deep understanding of the key principles of digital marketing. It enables aspiring marketers to emerge into the world of digital, and helps them to gain real experience with an employer whilst also being paid for the work that they do.
An apprenticeship is a great alternative to college or university and proves beneficial for both employers and individuals pursuing the apprenticeship route.
Charlotte Thorton
We spoke to Charlotte Thornton, who recently completed an apprenticeship with JDR Group in Derby. Charlotte exceeded expectations during her time on the programme and achieved a Distinction.
JDR Group
Based in Derby, JDR consists of expert marketers and business mentors and offers a vast range of services. JDR provides a unique approach to marketing, having developed a six-step process designed to turn your website into a magnet that draws targeted customers to your business.
“we understand the whole business, not just the marketing. It means we can go beyond the marketing to help the entire business grow, but also gives us a deep understanding of the challenges you face as a company director. We’ve seen first hand what directors go through, and how hard it is to run a successful business, and that the key is successful marketing.”
Being surrounded by experts has allowed Charlotte to thrive in her apprenticeship, as she has had the support of her team to further develop her skills as well as giving her the opportunity to implement her new knowledge into her every-day role.
Charlotte’s Experience
To find out more about her experience, we asked Charlotte about her apprenticeship and what it’s been like to work with the JDR Group.
Going into the apprenticeship, what experience/knowledge did you have of digital marketing?
Before I began my apprenticeship, I had little knowledge about marketing. I knew a fair bit about social media and what marketing was about. At the time I thought I knew a lot but after being in the job for a year I realised how uneducated I was. When I think back to 18 months and look at where I am now, I have learnt an unbelievable amount.
What prompted you to go into a digital career?
After completing my GCSEs I studied A-Levels in Media Studies, Business Studies and Visual Media (Photography). My family always said that those 3 subjects fitted perfectly into digital marketing.
I knew what digital marketing was but after looking into it further I decided it was a career I saw myself in. I have always been a highly creative person and wanted this to reflect in my career. Aspects of digital marketing, such as graphic design, fitted in with this perfectly.
What is your favourite thing about working with JDR Group?
My favourite thing about working for JDR is that they are a digital marketing agency. This means that I get to carry out all aspects of marketing for a wide range of different businesses. When I pictured my career, I always saw myself in an agency rather than in a marketing team for one business. I like the variety of jobs I get to do, from SEO to website design and analytics to blogging. Every day and every job is different, this aided me massively with my apprenticeship and learning.
What key knowledge/skills have you learned during your apprenticeship?
When I began my apprenticeship, I knew next to nothing. Now 18 months down the line I have the below skills and knowledge:
Understand all SEO aspects and can implement SEO into client’s campaigns/websites
Now a website designer / account manager for website clients
Keyword research
Come up with blogging/article plans for clients with SEO, keywords and buyer personas in mind
Able to use WordPress, OpenCart and more website platforms
Use a HUGE variety of marketing tools such as HubSpot, Sharpspring and much more
Developed great client communications skills / customer service
Social media writing and posting
Graphic design skills; using Photoshop, InDesign and Canva
Email marketing
Marketing automation
Analyse website analytics and data
Design e-books and other marketing material
Understand basic coding and things such as CSS, JavaScript, HTML
Understand the basic principles of marketing and important marketing terms
The list goes on and on…
How have you implemented your knowledge/skills into your role at JDR Group?
Around 99% of the knowledge and skills listed above I learnt through applying them into my job role. I have training sessions with colleagues on a regular basis and I go away and implement them into our marketing campaigns.
What did you enjoy most about the apprenticeship?
When leaving A-Levels I needed to decide between University or an Apprenticeship. I have never been keen on exams and always found them very daunting. Being a hands on / creative person, I always enjoyed producing coursework.
I also enjoyed going to training sessions in Rotherham to complete my exams. It also enabled me to meet other people doing the same apprenticeship as me and we talked about our different experiences within our apprenticeship. It was always interesting to find out what type of businesses they were working for and how they applied their marketing knowledge differently.
Lastly, I enjoyed meeting with my skills coach every month. Natasha was a huge part of my digital marketing journey and she became almost a friend rather than a teacher. She was always there for support and gave me the best advice with regards to my apprenticeship and struggles within the workplace. Many apprentices are young, and it can be their first ‘proper’ job and that can be scary. The B2W Group and their skills coaches always gave 100% support and guidance whenever I needed it.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others, and if so why?
Yes!! Many people feel the pressure nowadays to go to University and feel apprenticeships are the ‘easy way out’ but this is completely wrong. I am the first person in my family not to go to University (it was a big deal. I do not regret my decision at all. During the past 18 months, I feel have learnt more at JDR than I ever would have sat in a lecture theatre. At University you get the knowledge and principles but no experience. In digital marketing, and many other jobs, experience is key.
If you are like me and do not enjoy exams, sitting in classrooms and lecture theatres then an apprenticeship could be the right choice for you. It enabled me to get hands on in the world of marketing while carrying on my education and gaining qualifications. I have met some amazing people along the way and if I had the choice, I would do it all over again. (I am considering doing another digital marketing apprenticeship at a higher level).
What are your next steps? (E.g career aspirations, further learning)
I have been at JDR for 18 months and I have my appraisal this month now that I have finished my apprenticeship. In this I will discuss with my manager where I see myself heading in the world of marketing. If I am honest, I still do not really know. I have been doing it for 18 months now but still have so much to learn and explore. There are so many different aspects of marketing I could go into. Right now, I am enjoying dipping into all of them.
My focus since September 2019 has been website design and development. This is of huge interest to me as I am highly creative and feel website design is perfect for me! I want to dig deeper into this side of marketing, and I will see where I end up. But for now, I am sticking at JDR and continuing my journey with them.
Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship
Our Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship is an 18-month programme that we deliver in the North West and South Yorkshire areas. We have carefully positioned classrooms in Manchester and Rotherham to provide easy access to our learners.
During the apprenticeship, learners will spend 20% of their working time to complete off-the-job training, with the remaining 80% in the workplace.
If you’d like to know more about our apprenticeship programme, please visit here.
Hiring an apprentice
In the next 6 months, the Government will pay businesses to hire young apprentices with a new payment of £2000 per apprentice. They will also introduce a brand new bonus for business to hire apprentices aged 25 and over with a payment of £1500.
Apprenticeships provide great benefits for employers, including bringing fresh ideas into the workplace and increasing employee retention and loyalty. If you’d like to hire an apprentice, you can find out more about how The B2W Group can help here.
