FAQS
APPRENTICES
Read & absorb BEFORE you apply – this is important stuff!
How will it work?
Like any other apprenticeship, you will be employed by a company and will be spending 4 days a week on the job in their office (unless they are a remote or hybrid working company).
Content Creator: You will attend workshops at The Juice Academy every other week (9:30am - 4:00pm) during the first 12 months.
Fundraiser: Most training sessions will be remote, with a few in-person sessions in The Academy in Manchester. Sessions will be every other week, some half days some full days.
PR & Comms: You will attend workshops at Smoking Gun's Manchester office every other week (9:30am - 4:00pm) during the first 12 months.
All apprenticeships: The final three-month period of the programmes is known as the 'assessment period,' during which you will complete various projects and assessments; counting towards your End Point Assessment. When you’re ‘at work’ you’ll be working as part of your company’s team but also be set tasks to complete during a 'self-study' day in between the sessions, to show you’re learning and to provide evidence for your assessors.
What happens then?
You have a fantastic qualification and a wealth of experience to add to your CV. Hopefully, dependent upon how impressive you’ve been, you’ll be offered a permanent position (and probably given a raise)! 85% of apprentices stay with the same employer after completion. If you don't get offered a role, we'll support you with finding a new job.
What are the entry criteria?
Minimum requirements are a Grade A-C / 9-4 at GCSE in Maths, English Language or equivalent, e.g. functional skills in Maths, English at Level 2.
What is the qualification?
Level 3 Content Creator Standard. The programme is 15 months however, this does depend on learner progression and therefore could end up being slightly shorter or longer. The practical period is 12-13 months and then the End Point Assessment (EPA) is 2-3 months and, assuming you are successful, you will receive a pass, merit or distinction for the qualification at the end of the apprenticeship.
Level 3 Fundraiser. The same duration and EPA process as the content creator above.
Level 4 Public Relations and Communications Assistant. The programme is 12-18 months depending on learner progression. The practical period is 12-15 months and then the End Point Assessment (EPA) is 2-3 months and, assuming you are successful, you will receive a pass. merit or distinction for the qualification at the end of the apprenticeship.
What will I be paid?
For the first year, you will be paid a minimum salary of £14,000. Thereafter, your pay will be increased to the National Minimum Wage for your age for the remainder of the apprenticeship.
*All salaries are set at the employers’ discretion however, this will be the minimum you will receive
What are the working hours?
If you even need to ask this question, this role might not be for you! This will vary but you’re not entering a nine to five profession so it’s likely you’ll need to be flexible, especially while you’re on the programme as you’ll be working as well as learning – but at the end of it you’ll have a superb career with unrivalled prospects. Standard hours are usually Mon-Fri, 37.5 hours a week.
Do I get to choose which company I work for?
You can apply online by selecting your favourite employer from the opportunities list (once you click apply) and then, if your written application is successful to the next stage, you can put yourself forwards for more employer opportunities. You do not need to re-apply to multiple opportunities, we only need one written application from you that we can circulate to multiple employers.
What if I don’t get chosen?
There will be four intakes of up to 20 apprentices over the course of the year (January- April- July- October) so if you don’t make it through this time, we invite you to apply again (and practice your knowledge/skills in the meantime to impress the employers!)
What are we looking for?
From the delegates we’re looking for – quite simply – the cream of the crop! You’ll already be passionate about the industry you want to enter; you’ll be bright, ambitious, determined to succeed, a good writer and you’ll ideally have a proven track record of ‘getting involved’ (maybe you’re volunteering with local sporting groups or charities or you’ve been your class representative etc?) Your online presence will already be strong and you’ll be interested in the latest development and always learning.
Will I be given a travel allowance?
No – unless otherwise agreed with your employer. As with any apprenticeship or college/university course, you’ll be expected to make your own way to your office and the training academy in Manchester at your own expense so please bear this in mind when applying. For apprentices much further afield to Manchester, then the employer will pay for any travel to the academy in Manchester.
The industry-led training for the content creator is delivered by Tangerine, a creative agency*
*What’s a creative agency?
It’s a business that works for lots of different companies, helping them communicate with their customers. It can be a public relations agency (helping businesses get their stories and messages onto media, such as TV, radio and newspapers), an advertising agency (creating and placing advertisements into magazines and newspapers, as well as onto TV and radio) or a digital agency (creating websites for companies and helping drive traffic to these websites via various marketing techniques). All of these agencies rely need to consistently produce high quality content, no matter what channel it’s meant for. Most of these creative agencies also offer social media services to their clients and so are always looking to employ bright, young social media specialists.
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The industry-led training for the fundraiser is delivered by Jane Montague Consultancy, consulting *charities big and small across the nation
*What's a charity?
A charity is an organisation set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.
The industry-led training for the PR & Comms is delivered by Smoking Gun, a PR agency*
*What's a PR agency?
A PR agency is a company of public relations experts that specialises in managing public image and engaging with a client's audience. A brand's public image determines whether its audience and potential customers trust it, like it or are aware of it.
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How do I apply?
See
Apply – good luck!
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