Employer Case Study

Q1. Please introduce yourself, the company you work for and the nature of your business. 

I am Anna Hutton, co-owner and Marketing Director of MacMartin. As an agency, we assist B2B marketing teams in the delivery of purposeful communication. We do this through our specialist branding and marketing services with a committed and commercial approach. We have been fortunate enough to win a few awards over the last six years and have an incredible team of experienced marketers, specialists and marketing apprentices.  

Q2. Why did your business decide to employ an apprentice? 

We hired our first apprentice (Maisie) shortly after starting the business as a low risk and high potential option for us to grow the business initially. The apprenticeship allowed Maisie to learn the skills and knowledge required for the role, whilst gaining hands on experience and kept us up to date too. Since then, we have always recruited apprentices into our business and will continue to do so. 

Q3. What kind of skills do you look for in a candidate during an interview? 

Recruiting for apprentices is my favourite type of recruitment. There are no expectations of knowledge or experience, so we focus on recruiting individuals who share our values, are self-starters and eager to learn. 

Q4. What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in marketing?

In my opinion, if you are entering the marketing industry, it’s best to get stuck in with the hands-on aspects of marketing initially (e.g. social media marketing, Google Ads, SEO etc.) It is much easier to progress into a specialism this way and are attractive skills to an employer. Apprenticeships (particularly level 3) are by far the best way to achieve these skills. 

Q5. What impact has an apprentice made on your company?  

Each and every apprentice that has been with MacMartin has made a considerable positive impact. All our apprentices have helped out their colleagues when the agency is busy, delivered incredible results for our clients and have been prepared to manage clients independently and successfully by the end of their apprenticeships. 

Q6. Why do you think apprenticeships are a good option for someone starting a new career? 

When you start a new career, everything can be overwhelming, particularly if you are pressured to perform in your job role from the beginning. Due to the fact that apprentices are expected to have no subject specific knowledge or experience, it allows for enough breathing space for individuals to learn, observe, experience and make an impact that way. 

Q7. What advice would you give to another Employer considering hiring an apprentice? 

Always choose the right individual for your company and someone who is a critical thinker and hungry to learn more – everything else will come naturally.