Member Article

Our Apprentices | Espresso Web

We would like to show support both to the apprenticeship scheme itself but to our hard working, enthusiastic apprentices. As a company, over 20% of our workforce are currently apprentices, former apprentices or are undergoing further learning and development. So for us, we believe massively in the apprenticeship scheme as it has helped our business to grow a great deal. We don’t want you to take our word for it, instead we have asked some of our apprentices how much their apprenticeship means to them…

Anth – Website Designer

Straight out of school I was working as a mechanic, I trained in the field but I really wasn’t enjoying it and longed to try something different. Having a keen interest in web development and design and after dabbling at home, I picked up the phone and began ringing the list of web design companies in yell.com.

Luckily for me (not so lucky for him), Ste at Espresso Web picked up the phone, after a long conversation of me insisting he gave me a job and Ste continuously telling me there were no positions, he eventually gave up when I told him I was coming over to the office for an interview whether he liked it or not. After which, I was offered an apprenticeship in web development and design at Espresso Web.

Through my apprenticeship, I learnt so much, not only about Web Development but also about SEO techniques and customer services.

Two and half years later and having been involved in a range of interesting projects, I felt that it was time for a change. So I started a new job at large e-com business, another year and half later, the work I was undertaking wasn’t fulfilling and I realised I was drawn to roles with more creative freedom and a variation of diverse projects and clients.

I realised that this initial job change had run its course and I needed to be somewhere inspiring, so I decided to make the brave call to Ste at Espresso Web. I had not just missed the role but I also missed the people, my Espresso Web family and luckily for me they welcomed me back with open arms!

Coming back to the company has been amazing, we all have a great relationship and the team are very supportive, everyone was so welcoming, it’s like I never left. Since re-joining I have been able to put my creative abilities and skills to the test, I now work on a range of exciting projects and I can honestly say that every day at Espresso Web is different!

Matty – Website Designer

My Espresso Web story started very differently to where I am today! After initially starting out in the sales team as a customer account manager. I enjoyed being a part of the team, but I felt that the role itself wasn’t a good fit. After giving the job a go it didn’t work out so I decided to try something new.

Having always had a personal interest in web development and design and on leaving Espresso Web, I expressed this to Ste, the Company Director, but unfortunately at the time, there were no web development and design roles available. Anyway I started to get involved in web development and spent my free time teaching myself anything I could.

A few months later, Ste gave me a call about a role at Espresso Web, he offered me the chance to progress and develop my skills whilst also achieving a qualification through an apprenticeship and of course, I jumped at the chance!

By joining Espresso Web I now have so much experience, the apprenticeship allowed me to put my practical skills to use and ‘on the job’ training means I have already learnt so much already. I could have gone on to study web development through further education, where I would have gained some brilliant knowledge, however through practical training and even though my apprenticeship is still underway I’ve already designed and developed around 100 websites.

Espresso Web have allowed me to put my creativity to good use and produce products that clients couldn’t be happier with and every day I learn something new. With such a variety of projects and new clients coming in everyday, there’s so many opportunities to enhance my skills. Not only do I love my job but I also love being a part of the team, everyone is so supportive and happy to help in any way that they can.

Connor – Search Consultant

Two years ago, I left an apprenticeship in bricklaying as I wasn’t going to achieve anything at the end of it, I was left lost and confused as to what I was going to do next. I didn’t have a direction to go in and I ended up having to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance.

After a year of searching for jobs with no success, I attended an 8-week digital traineeship ran by the BBC through Middlesbrough College. The course itself was a bit lacklustre and I started to feel as if it was going the same way as my past apprenticeship; my tutor advised me to stick it out until we met some employers. I agreed and was told to research some of the companies, the first company I chose was Espresso Web.

As soon as I started researching Espresso Web, I knew that one day I wanted to work there, the ethos of the company really made me fall in love with the place. A few days later I met Steve and Sophie from Espresso Web. I discussed everything with them from where I came from to what I wanted to do and felt as if I’d made a good impression. A week later, I was given the news that I had been given the work trial by Espresso, and I was ecstatic; I couldn’t wait to jump in and prove myself.

The two week trial was brilliant, I absolutely loved being there and really felt like I was part of the team, even though I was only on a work trial. After my second week, I was supposed to go back to the college but I was invited back for a third week at Espresso Web and I was buzzing! On the last day of my trial, I was called into a meeting and they offered me an apprenticeship role! They even invited me to their Christmas party on the evening and I finally felt like I’d found somewhere that I belonged.

One year on, I’m still here and still absolutely love working at Espresso Web. They’ve taken the time to train me and have taught me everything I know about the digital marketing industry today. In an ever-changing industry, it’s comforting to know that I’m surrounded by people who are invested in me and the company, and who would do anything to help me succeed. There’s a real family feeling here and it shows in the way the company is ran, and how they treat every member of the team!

Sophie – Social Media Account Manager

I’d just finished my two-year college course studying IT User Skills at Middlesbrough College, I knew right away that I didn’t want to go to university, the idea of all the lectures put me off, I still wanted to learn, but not through higher education, especially when there is no guaranteed job at the end of it. However, I did like the idea of an apprenticeship and the chance to further my knowledge but use my practical skills at the same time.

So in June 2015, I sat down with Steve and Ste from Espresso Web, in an interview to discuss my skills in marketing, social media, blogs, and content, but it turned out that they didn’t have a job for me. However, based on my skill set and willingness to learn they came up with a new job role specifically for me.

So I joined the Espresso Web apprenticeship program, it was daunting with it being my first ‘proper job’ but everyone was so welcoming and friendly I instantly warmed to the place. Throughout my apprenticeship, I have come to learn so much about not only digital marketing but my skills, what I’m capable of and even my own personal attributes. I have really come out of my shell here and I absolutely love the team and how family oriented the business is.

Now, I have more confidence in myself and wouldn’t change my time at Espresso for anything.

Dave – Search Consultant

I started my apprenticeship with Espresso Web in February 2014, 3 years ago, where I began my Customer Service Level 2 qualification. The course helped me to develop my skills in customer service, working with customers and dealing with complaints when they came in. Although I was quite a shy person at the start of the course, I felt quite competent picking up the phone in no time at all, and getting on with the work I needed to do with minimal fuss.

I think completing a customer service course has given me the confidence to work with people and part of a team more effectively, which in turn has helped me to get to where I am now. Since then I have also gone on to do a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Team Leading and Management.

My current role involves working with clients over the phone, completing my normal day-to-day tasks involving SEO and training new apprentices, having been an apprentice myself has also helped with this.

I would say that it’s definitely worth considering an apprenticeship if you have an idea of what you want to do, I was unsure but it’s allowed me to find myself a job that I really enjoy, this job has now become more of a career and it’s all down to the apprenticeship that started me off.

My advice to anyone unsure about what they want to do would be the following: Think about what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This helped me to find an apprenticeship working for a digital marketing company. Although this might not be for you, there are plenty of other apprenticeships out there that will help you to learn and earn at the same time.

Apprenticeships will always be a massive part of everything we do here. The company loves developing young people and helping them to build careers.

A lot of people think apprenticeships are a way for companies to keep costs low, but I would have to disagree. It’s a risk for any company to take a person on with no experience, so the apprentice wage is justified for me. Besides, I think that’s probably only the case for businesses who have a poor record when it comes to offering apprentices a job at the end of their apprenticeship. When you look at it on paper. Espresso Web has a 100% record when it comes to offering full-time jobs once the courses are complete and I was the first one to be a part of it!

Ryan – Search Consultant

My Espresso Web journey began in June 2016, prior to this I had been working in retail which I really didn’t enjoy. I then found myself out of work and job searches always ended nowhere.

I had heard of Espresso Web and as I had a keen interest in digital marketing, particularly social media, I was keen to find out more, after spending some time looking into the business, I gave them a ring to see if there were any opportunities. After speaking to Ste, who at first said the firm currently weren’t looking for any new staff, he eventually offered me a work trial!

Originally the work trial was set as two weeks, after that it was extended to eight weeks, I was really enjoying the role, which I think was obvious as after six weeks, Espresso Web offered me the job as an apprenticeship.

Going from having no experience or knowledge in search engine marketing, to now at 8 months later, I can’t believe the things that I’ve learnt. Through this apprenticeship scheme I’ve gained so much experience and totally built up my skills.

It’s exciting to be in a business that’s ever changing, with industry practices constantly evolving, there’s always something new to learn and every day I am involved in something new which keeps my mind fresh as you always want to be ahead of the game.

I can’t thank Espresso Web enough for this opportunity, they gave me a chance when I felt like no one else would. Through this apprenticeship, I now know I have a strong career path and I’m excited for my future at Espresso Web.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophie Morgan .