Member Article

North East apprentices on career fast track

Bedlington trainee encourages more females to join technology apprenticeships

Two ambitious 19-year-olds from Bedlington and Durham are celebrating this National Apprenticeship Week (14-18 March 2016), after securing employment with digital marketing agency, Ad Guru.

Chelsey Morrison from Bedlington and Eddy Ranson from Durham, are both undertaking a level four NVQ qualification in digital marketing, as part of an apprenticeship led by Newcastle-based 3aaa Aspire Achieve Advance Newcastle. As part of the year-long apprenticeship, the teenagers will have on the job training at Ad Guru’s Newcastle headquarters while visiting 3aaa’s academy to complete assignments.

Ad Guru specialises in helping businesses boost website hits and grow sales, through comprehensive online strategies that deliver results. In her role as search guru, Chelsey will provide technical support to the agency’s clients, which include local brands such as The Supply Box, Campus North and Fit Gurus. Eddy will take on the role of digital marketer and will handle Ad Guru’s own social media outreach and ad placement.

Chelsey said: “After finishing my A Levels I felt an apprenticeship would be the best option for me as I wasn’t confident that my results would set me up for the kind of career I wanted to work in.

“As part of my digital marketing NVQ, I learn all about how social media, online marketing and search can be used within businesses. Plus, the hands-on-experience and employment with Ad Guru means I can refine my skills with the security of a regular wage.

“I really like Ad Guru as the company is quickly growing and there are lots of opportunities for me to progress with them and become successful in the digital marketing industry. Technology is definitely the future and my advice to any school leavers, particularly girls who perhaps lack confidence, is to look at what technology apprenticeships are available and give them a try!”

Eddy said: “I’ve always been interested in being on an apprenticeship as the opportunity to earn while I learn was very appealing. University seemed like the obvious next choice after finishing Sixth Form College, but the thought of financing that and still having to find practical work experience before finding employment, made the apprenticeship route perfect for me.”

Simon Wood, founder of Ad Guru, added: “Finding bright young talent that has an understanding of the tech industry and passion to learn, has proved something of a challenge for us in the North East. We welcome apprenticeships which arm potential new recruits with essential skills in digital marketing and are overjoyed to have found Chelsey and Eddy who are such a great fit for our business.”

Chelsey and Eddy were matched for their roles by Alan Green and Eleanor Jarvis, academy managers at 3aaa Aspire Achieve Advance. Alan concluded: “We know the North East is a technology leader and that the Government has big plans with its ‘northern powerhouse’ so upskilling our youngsters via practical apprenticeships is an ideal way of doing that.

“From our Cathedral Square, Newcastle Academy, we run courses in technology, digital marketing and web and social media, so we hope Chelsey’s and Eddy’s success inspires other youngsters to get in touch.”

3aaa Aspire Achieve Advance Newcastle supports apprentices undertaking advanced and higher level NVQs in the areas of business administration, technology, web and digital marketing. It currently has 108 apprentices receiving at its academy in Newcastle.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ad Guru .