The Power Of Apprenticeships: Real Stories From fluo & BCE Alumni

National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on career development, skill-building, and personal growth. At fluo, we understand the value of hands-on learning, and our own experience with apprenticeships – both as a company and through our team members!

According to the Department for Education’s latest statistics, apprenticeship starts in England increased by 1.3% to 132,560 between August and October 2024, compared to the same period the previous year. Notably, higher-level apprenticeships (Levels 6 and 7) saw a 10.9% rise, accounting for 19.2% of all starts during this time. See more stats at gov.uk.

This upward trend underscores the growing recognition of apprenticeships as a valuable pathway for skill development and career advancement.

Level 3 apprenticeships, equivalent to an A-level, offer a valuable pathway for individuals seeking practical experience and qualifications in their chosen fields, and have become the most popular apprenticeship choice in recent years. In the 2022/23 academic year, they accounted for 43.9% of all apprenticeship starts. 

These programs deliver substantial economic benefits, generating £14 for every £1 of government investment. Learn more about the economic value of apprenticeships at  assets.publishing.service.gov.uk.

To showcase the true power of apprenticeships, we’ve gathered some insights from current and former apprentices who have worked with Big Creative Education (BCE), including myself, Jasmine Chagger, my co worker Akira – two current apprentices at fluo, and two BCE alumni: Beth McGuinness and Ramon Singh Dhillon. 

Here’s what we’ve learned from our journeys so far.

Why Choose An Apprenticeship?

For many young professionals, an apprenticeship offers a unique path into the industry. Beth, who pursued an apprenticeship at Dark Art of Light, saw it as an opportunity to break into the creative field without prior experience:

“Getting one’s foot in the door can be a challenge these days, so for me, the trade-off was earning less for one year in exchange for training from top professionals in an industry I was eager to enter, plus gaining a qualification at the same time.”

Ramon, who wanted a more hands-on learning experience, echoed this sentiment:

“I wanted to gain work experience while I studied, as I prefer learning from personal experience.”

Akira, who found BCE through an Indeed job listing, took a practical approach:

“I applied to multiple apprentice jobs through their website. It felt like the right route to gain industry experience while getting paid, rather than paying thousands for a university degree.”

For me at fluo, the draw was similar. I wanted to develop practical marketing skills while working in a real business environment, applying what I learned immediately. Learning while earning – haha!

“I was drawn to Big Creative Education because it offered a hands-on, practical approach to marketing while allowing me to gain real-world experience at a company. I wanted to develop my skills in digital marketing, content creation, and campaign strategy while working in a dynamic environment. The opportunity to learn from industry professionals and apply my knowledge directly was a huge motivator.” – Me.

Growth & Career Impact

Apprenticeships don’t just provide training, but they fast-track career development and boost confidence. Beth saw a massive transformation in her career:

“Now I have great skills in a creative role that I really enjoy, and I feel I fit the criteria for many jobs I see online, which is a boost to my confidence.”

Ramon found that his apprenticeship helped him develop the skills necessary to work in his chosen career, while for me, the program has strengthened my expertise in digital marketing, SEO, and campaign strategy, which are core skills that will shape my future career in the industry.

Akira focused on enhancing his technical skills:

“I set myself the goal of wanting to create design and video work that was of a more professional quality. Every piece of work I create brings me closer to this goal.”

My main goal is to gain a strong understanding of multi-channel marketing, from SEO and PPC to social media and email marketing. I’m currently aiming to build a strong portfolio that showcases my work and creativity. So far, I’ve worked on multiple campaigns, refined my content creation skills, and gained confidence in data-driven marketing decisions. I’m also striving to achieve a distinction in my End Point Assessment, and I’m making good progress toward that.

Memorable Achievements

One of the most rewarding aspects of an apprenticeship is the chance to work on real projects. Beth’s highlight was leading a group project, stepping outside her comfort zone and proving her leadership skills. Ramon created a promotional video, applying his knowledge in a tangible way.

Akira found a breakthrough in his work with animation:

“I enjoyed working on animating a logo – something I had never done before. Despite a lot of the process being completely new to me, I was able to create a high-quality outcome.”

For me, one of my favourite projects has been developing social media content and writing blog posts that showcase our brand values. “Playing around with some post ideas in Canva has been a great amount of fun. Another thing I find super fun is interviewing people and creating the google form to get the very responses you’re seeing in this article/ blog post! Interacting, networking and building up connections as well as friends in the creative industry is the best as everyone has their own unique flair and share of talent! It’s absolutely remarkable to see what these people are accomplishing, and creating things like this allows the audience to feel inspired.” 

The Role Of A Co-working Space

Working in a co-working space like Creative Works has added another layer of value to our apprenticeships. Beth described the atmosphere as inspiring:

“I love the buzz of everyone working on their projects and the variety of fields everyone works in. It’s motivating to be in that kind of energised environment.”

Ramon benefited from learning directly from industry professionals. For me, being surrounded by both creative and professional minds has expanded my perspectives and helped me build a strong professional network.

“Being in a co-working space has been great for networking and exposure to different industries. It’s a creative and collaborative environment where I’ve met professionals from various backgrounds, which has helped me gain new perspectives on a wide range of topics. It’s also given me insight into how startups and businesses operate, which has been invaluable for my learning.” – Jasmine.

Akira also appreciated the collaborative environment:

“Working in a coworking space is positive and useful, as I’m able to receive and share helpful information from people working at other companies and in other fields.”

Key Skills Gained

Each of us developed different skills through our apprenticeships. Beth honed her expertise in photo retouching, which gave her confidence in her career. Ramon strengthened his social skills, and I’m constantly refining my content creation, SEO, and analytics capabilities. 

Akira gained technical efficiency:

“I now have a good understanding of how graphic designers work in a professional setting and have become familiar with industry-standard processes, allowing me to produce higher-quality work at a faster pace.”

These practical skills, gained through hands-on experience, are what make apprenticeships so effective in preparing young professionals for their careers.

Support & Advice For Future Apprentices

Support plays a crucial role in the apprenticeship experience. Beth found her course leader’s encouragement instrumental in boosting her confidence, while Ramon appreciated structured learning resources like presentations and videos.

Akira found access to professional equipment particularly beneficial:

“There are multiple school buildings with professional equipment. I’ve been able to use cameras that I otherwise wouldn’t have had a chance to access.”

For those considering an apprenticeship, the advice is clear:

Beth said, “if you know you want to go into a field like content creation or marketing, definitely do it. I went to university too, and the apprenticeship was 100x more useful for developing a career.”

Ramon emphasises the importance of balancing job responsibilities with apprenticeship coursework, ensuring you dedicate enough time to learning, “to dedicate as much time as possible towards the apprenticeship side instead of solely focusing on the job.”

Akira explains,“apprenticeships offer a faster, more practical way to gain experience. Compared to university, where you pay thousands each year to work on simulated projects, an apprenticeship gives you hands-on learning that truly prepares you for the job”.

Final Thoughts: Why We Recommend Apprenticeships

All of us would highly recommend an apprenticeship to those looking to gain practical experience while learning.

“Redirecting my career was a positive change, but the rate of growth in how confident I feel in my field has been excellent. Happy career – happy life!” – Beth.

Ramon, who achieved a high grade in the subject, found the experience incredibly beneficial: “I am extremely likely to recommend this programme as it has benefited me greatly and with the help of my tutor, I was able to achieve a high grade.”

Akira said he had gained industry-ready design skills, and I have no doubt that my own apprenticeship – at fluo – has set me up for long-term success in the realm of marketing.

“I’d definitely recommend this program, especially to those who want practical experience in marketing rather than just classroom learning. The combination of education and work experience makes it a great pathway into the industry, and the skills you develop are directly applicable to a career in marketing.” – Jasmine.

Apprenticeships are more than just an alternative to university, but a direct path to real-world experience, industry connections, and accelerated career growth. At fluo, we value the creativity, dedication, and innovation that apprentices bring to the team, and we encourage anyone looking to enter a creative or digital field to consider this route.

To all current and future apprentices – keep learning, keep growing, and embrace every opportunity that comes your way!