Meet Swindon apprentices as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2020 Part 4

Swindon is a town where apprentices thrive and we know that here at Total Guide to as we have had our own apprentices and we embrace them as a fantastic route to a career.

Therefore we unashamedly celebrate the 13th annual National Apprenticeship Week by introducing our own Bethany Fry who is our digital marketing apprentice. 

Bethany, who’s 20, and lives in Westlea, is working towards a Level 4 qualification in digital marketing with Green Labyrinth Training. Her apprenticeship is overseen by Total Guide to founder Liz Hutchings. 

What school did you attend?

Bethany – I was a pupil at Lydiard Park Academy and then Lydiard Park Academy Sixth Form in Grange Park, Swindon. During my GCSES, I enjoyed English, art and media and during my  A-Levels, English Literature and Media Studies. They all link nicely into my job now in digital marketing which is part of the reason I enjoy my job so much! 

Why did you fancy an apprenticeship?

Bethany – I knew university wasn't for me, however I didn't want to go straight into a ‘normal’ job as I wanted to continue learning. An apprenticeship ticked all of the boxes for me. My school also taught me a lot about apprenticeships and I liked the idea of earning whilst I was learning. The great thing about apprenticeships is that you can really get stuck into a role and learn that way, rather than sitting in a classroom full-time which I didn't enjoy as much. 

How's it going? 

Bethany - I love my job here at Total Guide to - the team is super to work with and incredibly supportive of my apprenticeship, which after more than two years is now coming to an end. I'm always given the time I need to complete my apprenticeship work and the assignments I'm doing alongside my day job tie in nicely with what I'm doing day to day which makes it much easier. 

Why recruit an apprentice? 

Liz – I didn't go to university because as I was doing my A Levels I realised I had a passion for business and a hunger to learn on the job. Business apprenticeships weren't presented as an option then but I did it without the qualification - I worked hard and taught myself and I'm proud of my achievements. However, it wasn't always that way - while I was living in Bristol I was the only one of my peers that hadn't gone to uni and sometimes I felt judged and embarrassed by this.

It's fantastic that school and college leavers now have apprenticeships as a respected route to a career. 

From my experience, uni graduates have never impressed me in interviews and don't have the drive and passion that apprentices do. 

Particularly in digital marketing, a degree just doesn't deliver the appropriate knowledge and skills. It's such a rapidly changing ndustry with trends evolving on a weekly basis, you have to be a self starter to keep on top of the innovations and advances.

What do they bring to the business? 

Liz - Not only do apprentices tend to have a high level of drive, ambition and focus, they also seem to have the rare ability to 'think outside of the box' and they understand what it takes to run a small business. In my experience they are commercially aware and understand the ‘why’ behind everything they do.

Apprenticeships do require candidates to learn and understand most areas of the business which makes them adaptable and they can often fill in for team members when needed.

I worried there would be a churn with apprentices and they would want to move on to a new position once completed, however we've been very fortunate that all of ours have stayed. I think the commitment of the employer and the care offered is important in this. For example Katie has been with us for three years now and has climbed the ladder quickly. Bethany has said she also wants to develop her career with us. 

Were you an apprentice? 

Liz - I didn't have the opportunity to do an apprenticeship after my A Levels; they tended to be just available for trades then. Now apprenticeships are broader and can be specific with really detailed digital marketing Aaprenticeships - the breadth and detail of topics covered such as Google Analytics and SEO is extremely valuable to our business.