2023 UK National Apprenticeship Week: Our Ally Apprentices

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is the 16th annual celebration of apprentices. This week is an opportunity for the education & skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country & the valuable impact they make to businesses.

Ally’s Apprentices: Supporting National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2023

Ally's apprenticeship story

Ally has supported apprenticeships for years, building our business through real-life, on-the-job experiences. 3 of our Allies, including our MD Paul, started their careers with apprenticeships and as a successful marketing agency, we believe an apprenticeship is a great route to take when beginning a creative or marketing career.

“Once I left high school at 16, I wanted to start work immediately (and earn a few quid!), so an apprenticeship was the perfect way to earn and learn at the same time! To be honest I couldn’t wait to leave school, so the college (and then uni) route was a non-starter for me.

I started my apprenticeship back in 1994, and I continued my career with my first employer for another 15 years. In 2009 I started my own business (this one!). I now work with some very talented professionals and the business continues to thrive.

Apprenticeships are great for those like me who learn best by ‘doing it’ rather than studying it. I’d definitely recommend the apprenticeship route; you’ll learn loads of practical skills and earn a few quid at the same time!”

Paul Newton | Managing Director

“When I was coming to the end of my graphic design course in college, I was certain that an apprenticeship was the route I wanted to go down. University only ever appealed to me for the wrong reasons (not for the education 🍻) so I felt I would be much better off kickstarting my career with an apprenticeship. I’ve never agreed with the way certain subjects (graphic design in particular) are taught in school/college and I feared university would be the same.

Fast forward 6 and a half years and I’m now the Creative Executive at Ally Marketing, working on new, exciting things every day and utilising all the skills I’ve learnt over the last 8+ years.

Apprenticeships offer great opportunities for young people who much prefer being hands on and learning on the job rather than taking the traditional University route. I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who was considering a career in Marketing.”

Nathan Clancy | Creative Executive

“At college I was pushed to apply to multiple Universities, but I was adamant about not going to Uni so I attended career meetings to seek guidance on alternative options. After still being told that University was the best option for me if I wanted to start a Marketing career, I took it upon myself to search for Marketing apprenticeships.

After looking at multiple Marketing apprenticeships, Ally Marketing was the one that stood out for me and ticked my career boxes. I am now 5 months into my apprenticeship at Ally Marketing and I couldn’t be happier with my choice in going down the apprenticeship route.

I can’t recommend it enough! Choosing an apprenticeship gives you independence and valuable business skills whilst learning on the job.”

Jess Barlow | Marketing Apprentice

“I’ve decided to add my thoughts as well! I did go to University after completing my A-Levels so I haven’t done an apprenticeship. As many of you will know, I was a solicitor for almost a decade before joining Ally as our Content Manager, and then Marketing Manager.

Working with my colleagues at Ally has opened my eyes to what an apprenticeship can deliver, especially to young people who are keen and motivated to work, and particularly in a creative sector such as marketing where practical, hands-on experience is (I believe) more valuable than academic study.

By working alongside professionals on real-life projects learning real-world, useful and employable skills (whilst earning a salary!), apprentices in our business progress so much more quickly. It’s incredible as a manager to be able to shape the early careers of our industry’s future talent and we take that responsibility seriously.

To anyone considering a creative or marketing career, work hard on your school and college studies and then think about an apprenticeship. Just think: by the time your peers are graduating from university and entering the world of work, you’ll have 3 years’ professional experience under your belt!”

Vicki Gregson | Marketing Manager

Why choose a Marketing apprenticeship?

From our Jess:

By becoming a Marketing apprentice, you will be given the most relevant, up-to-date training and have the opportunity to apply these skills to the real world as you learn. Learning on-the-job comes with many benefits, including ongoing support from your employer, building relationships with your clients and gaining high-quality work experience. Did I also mention, you won't be carrying a big load of debt on your back whilst doing so!

Don’t know where to start?

Thinking about a career in marketing? It’s not all glamorous parties and posting heavily-edited pictures on social media (in fact, in our experience it’s never any of that! Glam party invites welcome!).

Get yourself some work experience first to try it out in the real world. Are you comfortable in an office? Can you work to a deadline? Are you good at collaborating and working with others? Are you confident to speak to clients and colleagues and to promote your ideas? Are you interested in design and/or the written word?

Like what you see? Explore creative or marketing apprenticeships near you!