Digital age for Kirklees apprentices

The growth of the sector has meant there are more jobs available for those with social media skills, and businesses are demanding to be able to hire employees with expertise in digital marketing.

Head of computing and digital industries at the college Pat Foster is looking forward to her students filling local vacancies.

“We are very excited to be offering apprenticeships in social media, it is relevant to a range of new and emerging job roles. The course will help to develop skills to allow apprentices to understand what social media and digital marketing is, how to utilise it in a business environment and incorporate it into their job role. Social media is still young and we are in the ‘early adopter’ phase for companies. Businesses need the support of a skilled workforce to enable them to make the best use of digital marketing tools and concepts. The social media apprenticeship contributes to meeting the skills priorities for digital Britain.”

Several local companies have already sent existing staff on the course on a part-time basis. Fourteen19 in Huddersfield have signed up their apprentice Maegan Ball.

“The Social Media Framework is much more suited for a modern organisation like ours,” said managing director Graham Sykes.

“Not only do we get a great young person but they are able to add value to the organisation from their first day. This means that it can be justified at both a social and commercial level. Maegan is managing accounts, updating posts, analysing the results and producing reports but she is also getting a recognised Level 3 qualification.”

And The Individual Agency in Leeds have sent marketing apprentice Erika Maybury to study at Kirklees.

“I am thrilled that Kirklees College is offering the social media apprenticeship and that we are able to develop our staff in this area with such a trusted partner. Social media is relevant to all businesses and something that is part of all marketing plans we develop for our clients, so to have a young and vibrant team leading this is perfect for us!” said managing director Michelle Edgar-Parsons.

For more details about social media apprenticeships visit www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk.