Employer Case Study

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

My name is Dan Orton, and I am the Head of Operations UKI at Aspire CRM.

Aspire CRM provides solutions for businesses and Local Government to help streamline their processes and improve efficiencies, as well as delivering great customer service.

Q2. Why did you decide to employ a marketing apprentice?

The business was outsourcing a lot of the marketing functions, and the decision was made to build a team internally. I had worked with apprentices previously and had experience of finding the right people to bring into a great business, creating a culture that can be rewarding for everyone. Hiring an apprentice allowed us to mold them to our culture and allow them to grow with the business.

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

Personality is key, along with a desire to build a lengthy career. Finding a person with a real passion for marketing was important for us, and someone that we felt would fit nicely into our existing team. It’s also important that we, as a business, can fulfil the career path the apprentice ideally would want to take, from additional learning to potential apprenticeship progression.

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

Go for it. You get hands-on experience in a business and a chance to be mentored throughout. Support from both your business and training provider gives you loads of opportunities to learn and grow. Having worked with several apprentices, they have loved it and found it a good way to develop themselves and kickstart their careers.

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

Having moved our marketing in-house means we have full control over everything and can build on our brand with consistency from the same marketer. We now have a much better customer experience, regular communication and a fantastic source of new leads and opportunities.

Q6. What advice would you give to another Employer considering hiring an apprentice?

If you have the team and the time to invest in mentorship, it’s definitely something I would recommend. Investing in an apprentice gives your future team skills they need while also being aware of their personality, not risking bringing in a more senior person who may not fit the business culture. There are some great people out there.