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Learn how hiring marketing apprentices is cost-effective for businesses with tight budgets. Discover the benefits and ROI of marketing apprenticeships!
By Pareto Team
Are you struggling to stretch your marketing budget? Worried your brand will start to fall behind? Maintaining an impactful marketing strategy without overspending might seem challenging, but a solution exists. By utilising marketing apprenticeships, your business can still achieve outstanding results without compromising quality.
Our insightful guide explores how hiring apprentices can transform your marketing efforts, from cutting costs to achieving exceptional return on investment (ROI).
Marketing apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to grow your team while conserving resources and keeping tight budgets in check. Here’s how they can make a difference for your business's bottom line:
Apprenticeship schemes are structured to provide businesses with an affordable way to onboard fresh and emerging talent. Compared to hiring an experienced marketing professional, apprentices command lower salaries while still delivering impactful results.
Apprenticeship schemes are structured to provide businesses with affordable ways to onboard fresh talent. Compared to hiring experienced marketers or agencies, apprentices command lower salaries while still delivering impactful results. It is a win-win situation, as your business benefits from reduced payroll expenses while still being able to hire a high-potential candidate, while apprentices are given access to quality training, coaching, and on-the-job experience to drive their future career success.
One of the biggest incentives for hiring apprentices is the financial support available from the government. Employees can take advantage of grants, levy funds, and financial incentives that reduce the overall cost involved in recruiting and training apprentices. These initiatives enable businesses to make room for high-potential individuals whilst staging within tight budgets.
Here is a breakdown of the different funding opportunities available to businesses of different sizes:
Apprenticeship Levy for Large Employers
If your business has an annual salary bill that exceeds £3 million, the Apprenticeship Levy provides a funding solution:
The Levy is charged at 0.5% of your annual payroll over £3 million. This creates a dedicated funding pot for apprenticeship training.
Funds can be used to train new apprentices or upskill current employees through professional development programmes.
Any unused funds expire after 24 months. Therefore, planning your training needs effectively is vital to maximise your investment.
Co-Investment Model for Non-Levy Employees
If your company does not pay into the Levy, then you have a high potential to be given access to the funding options below:
100% Funding for Young Apprentices - The government will cover the full cost of apprenticeship training for 16-21 year olds.
95% Funding for Older Apprentices - The government funds 95% of training costs for apprentices aged 22 and over. You will contribute just 5% of the training costs, which are paid upfront to your chosen training provider.
Please note: This funding model also applies to Apprenticeship Levy-paying businesses who have exhausted their available apprenticeship funds.
Young Apprentice Grant
If your business hires a young marketing apprentice, you can access additional financial incentives:
For every apprentice aged 16-18 you hire, a £1,000 grant is available.
This same grant applies to apprentices aged 19-25 who have an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan or who have been in local authority care.
Also, you don’t need to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 on annual salaries up to £50,270.
Now that you have seen the range of funding on offer, it is important to understand that it's not just about affordability; it's also about the return you get from investing in apprentices. Marketing apprentices are versatile, and their training and development equip them to handle vital tasks that directly contribute to your campaign's success.
Apprentices can help manage a range of crucial marketing tasks, including:
Social media management to maintain and grow your online presence.
Content creation to develop engaging articles, videos, blogs, and graphics.
Email campaign execution to nurture customer relationships and drive conversions.
SEO-focused projects that improve your search engine rankings and website visibility.
Pareto’s Marketing Apprenticeship programmes, for instance, train individuals specifically in these skills, ensuring your apprentices hit the ground running and make measurable impacts from day one. Here are the apprenticeships we offer and the skills learnt:
Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship Level 3 - Equips your team with important digital content skills such as graphic design, social media management, and SEO.
Digital Content Creator Apprenticeship Level 3 - Provides learners with the skills to create engaging digital content, enhance online presence, and produce impactful multimedia across various industries.
A well-trained marketing apprentice can deliver great results with minimal costs involved. For example:
A single well-executed social media campaign could attract new leads or customers with just a small investment.
A high-performing blog or advertising copy written by your apprentice could result in significant website traffic and conversion rates.
When you combine lower hiring costs and the funding options available with these outputs, marketing apprentices offer ROI that’s hard for businesses to ignore.
When your budgets are tight, you might consider outsourcing your marketing tasks to external agencies or freelancers. However, nurturing your talent in-house through an apprenticeship programme offers far more value in the long term.
Managing an in-house marketing apprentice is more cost-effective compared to hiring an external marketing agency. Just consider the retainer fees charged by most agencies, often in the thousands of pounds, and contrast that with the cost of training and managing an apprentice. Add to that the direct access, flexibility, and increased alignment you get with in-house talent, marketing apprenticeships simply offer better value.
Unlike external marketing professionals and teams, in-house apprentices become an embedded part of your business. Over time, they develop a deep understanding of your brand, goals, mission, culture, and customer base. So, instead of spending time clarifying your needs to agencies or freelancers, your marketing apprentices will grow alongside your business.
Upon completing their marketing apprenticeship, they will have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to be capable of leading projects and even training future employees.
If you want more information about whether apprenticeships are suitable for your business, download our complete guide, 'Are Apprenticeships Right for Your Business, No Matter Its Size?'.
Marketing apprentices bring more than just affordability and hands-on dedication; they are bursting with innovative ideas and up-to-date knowledge. According to the National Apprenticeship Service, an incredible 96% of businesses saw the benefits of hiring an apprentice. Here are a few examples of the value they bring:
Staying Updated with Marketing Trends - Marketing apprenticeship programmes provide training in the latest marketing strategies and platforms, from TikTok content marketing to the latest SEO practices. Their fresh perspectives and up-to-date skills can give your marketing efforts a competitive edge.
Creative Thinking Perfect for a Digital Age - Marketing apprentices, particularly younger candidates, have grown up in a digitally connected world. They’re comfortable exploring social media platforms, understand changing consumer behaviours, and can explore creative solutions tailored to modern audiences. For example, including apprentices in common team tasks such as brainstorming sessions could lead to innovative approaches that might not have been considered otherwise, helping your campaigns stand out and resonate with a wider audience.
Builds a Culture of Learning and Development - Starting your team member’s marketing careers through an apprenticeship is an excellent way to develop a culture of continuous learning, development, and innovation within your business. By investing in apprenticeship programmes, you encourage professional growth not just for new hires but also for existing staff, providing opportunities to upskill with industry-recognised qualifications.
This commitment to learning strengthens your team’s capabilities, enhances employee satisfaction, and positions your business as a forward-thinking, growth-oriented workplace. This can be beneficial when hiring more experienced professionals who seek career development when accepting an offer.
Marketing apprenticeships provide a budget-friendly solution for businesses looking to enhance their marketing efforts without the high costs of external agencies or senior hires. Companies can develop in-house expertise by tapping into government funding and apprenticeship schemes while keeping expenses manageable. With hands-on training and industry-specific skills, apprentices quickly become valuable contributors, helping businesses drive engagement, increase brand visibility, and achieve strong returns on investment.
Beyond cost savings, marketing apprentices bring fresh perspectives, creative thinking, and up-to-date knowledge of marketing trends. Their ability to adapt and grow within a company drives long-term success, ensuring your strategy remains competitive. Investing in apprenticeships builds a strong foundation for developing future marketing leaders, equipping your business with the talent and expertise needed to succeed.
Struggling to maintain a strong marketing presence without overspending? Marketing apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to bring fresh talent while controlling expenses. Find out how our programmes can help your business grow, and schedule a call with our team today.
Investing in an apprentice is a smart way to strengthen your marketing team without stretching your budget. If you’re unsure how it could work for your business, our team are here to help. We’ll walk you through the benefits, funding options, and ROI potential.
