Leeds apprentices blazing a trail with IVE
Three apprentices have been making their mark at social enterprise, IVE as they pursue qualifications in digital marketing and administration. The charity, which works with creative industries, businesses, schools, arts & cultural organisations to support young people, has provided the three with the skills and experiences need to start their careers.
Digital Marketing apprentice, Jeniecka Moscrop, alongside Business Administration apprentices, Lisa Ibbetson and Aamirah Patel, each decided to undertake an apprenticeship at IVE due to the opportunity to learn and gain practical experience whilst earning.
For each of them this is their first career with Lisa and Aamirah both joining IVE after school, having decided not to progress with A-Levels. Jeniecka, meanwhile, decided to pursue marketing further after studying a level 3 extended diploma in journalism at college. She believes an apprenticeship is a great way to develop knowledge for a profession with on-the-job experience.
During her time at IVE, 20 year old Jeniecka has also been given the opportunity to showcase her creative abilities, editing videos and images which are used by the business. During her apprenticeship in digital marketing, she has been supporting the marketing manager on an upcoming campaign, where she has been involved in developing ideas and designs for social and print media, as well as the overall marketing plan. She explains, “I love that I’m able to apply the skills I learnt from my studies at college. From contributing ideas to producing materials, it’s great to be involved in creative work that I really enjoy and can see the results of.”
Jeniecka was also given the opportunity to present her findings from a piece of research into trends and Google Analytics data, something she never would have seen herself doing previously. “I presented this to staff including managers in a meeting and answered questions on the spot. This was a project I really enjoyed and was really happy with the presentation. Staff are very positive and supportive.”
Lisa, 23, had similarly positive experience having been particularly interested in the work done by IVE and its clear aim of supporting young people. “I started when I was seventeen and at every step, IVE have been there and supported me through my career,” she says.
Since completing her business administration apprenticeship, Lisa has worked her way up to become an executive assistant at the company and now manages the office assistant. Her responsibilities include supporting the senior management team and assisting the finance manager. “I’ve really enjoyed working across the different areas of the business and gaining new skills and experiences. One day I can be doing payroll and purchase orders, then the next day I might be supporting with recruitment or servicing high level meetings”.
19-year-old Aamirah has also enjoyed the opportunities of an apprenticeship by progressing up the ranks at IVE having completed an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration and speaks highly of the benefits of taking this option: “I’ve gained so much confidence from my apprenticeship,” she says. “I’ve had to work well and communicate with my colleagues, my bosses, the company clients – I was really shy before this job and wouldn’t be the same without it”.
After completing her apprenticeship in November, Aamirah accepted a permanent role as the Office Administration Assistant. She explains, “I had a great time and learnt so much as an apprentice, and I’ve found that it really prepared me for a permanent position in the company. I now have more responsibility and work on a wider range of projects, and I can’t wait to see where this career takes me. Best of all I’ve been able to achieve it all whilst remaining in Leeds”.
All three agree one major benefit of their apprenticeships has been having the opportunity to stay in Leeds. Through her apprenticeship, Lisa has been able to learn and earn to buy a house in her local area, while Jeniecka feels Leeds continues to offer various prospects as she progresses through her career. She adds, “Leeds has a really strong creative industry with so many opportunities for marketing professionals, so I’m really glad I stayed here to start my career.”
