From Marketing to The Sahara Desert: An Apprentice’s Journey

What motivated you to choose an apprenticeship? 

At 13 I started my own catering business where I fulfilled 1,000 orders while managing an online community of thousands of followers across various platforms. From building authentic connections with customers to creating a brand and experience people love and trust, the creative process of developing my own business helped me understand the importance of brand and engagement in every business. An apprenticeship provided the natural path for me, the perfect opportunity to use and develop these skills and apply the excitement I had for marketing to another business.  

What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship? 

As the sole marketer at John Morgan Partnership, I manage all aspects of our brand and marketing, from social media and website to events and collaborations. Over the last year, I’ve loved the variety, creativity, and opportunity to make a real impact on our brand. It’s amazing to be trusted with so much responsibility and be a part of the company’s journey. 

What are some of the most valuable skills you've learned on the job? 

One of the key skills I've learned is event planning and coordination. At John Morgan Partnership, we pride ourselves on being just as much of a ‘business broker’ as an insurance broker and add value by bringing professionals together in new ways, so although events was something I had no experience in before starting my apprenticeship, we started the year with 44 events in the calendar I had to plan and coordinate for clients, prospects and partners. 

How do you balance learning and working? 

The structure of the apprenticeship programme allows me to naturally integrate my learning with my work at John Morgan Partnership. Many of the tasks I complete in my coursework align with my day-to-day responsibilities in my marketing role and having guidance throughout the process means I can adapt my approach and better my skills, all while completing my coursework.  

Are there any projects you're particularly proud of where you applied your apprenticeship skills and knowledge? 

A huge focus this year has been around brand and I recently completed an analytics and benchmarking activity where I found in the past year on LinkedIn, I have grown our following by +70.6%, and engagement by +556%. Compared to our industry average of -0.35%, our audience growth has reached +70.64%. 

Another highlight is the fundraising for mine and our Managing Directors 100km trek across The Sahara Desert for Hope for Tomorrow charity which is coming up in November. Through social media and outreach, I’ve been able to raise awareness and support for this trek, So far, we’ve raised £6,500 which could provide 433 life-saving cancer treatments onboard Hope for Tomorrows mobile cancer care units. The transferable skills I’ve developed through my apprenticeship have been invaluable in building support around the challenge. 

What are your plans after completing your apprenticeship? 

After my apprenticeship, I plan to continue my career in marketing creating authentic, lasting connections between brands and people. I recently returned to my old school to talk about my experience with running my own business and the apprenticeship route as an alternative to traditional education paths so after the completion of my apprenticeship I will also continue to use social media to mentor and inspire other young entrepreneurs in business and marketing. 

We wish Hallie all the best in her marketing career and on her incredible fundraising trek across the Sahara Desert!

Our Marketing Apprenticeships offer flexible start dates year-round, with training delivered entirely in the workplace—no college attendance required.

If your company is interested in recruiting a marketing apprentice or already has a candidate in mind, reach out to our Employer Training & Apprenticeships team or visit the page below to find out more. 

Discover Marketing Apprenticeships at Gloucestershire College