Apprenticeships aren’t just about learning on the job; they’re about shaping careers and building confidence.  

My journey as an apprentice has been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and real-world experience and there’s no better time to share it than during National Apprenticeship Week! 

The start of my journey 

My name is Alice Bristow, and I am a Multi-channel Marketing Apprentice at Golden Frog Marketing. I started in November 2023 – fresh out of sixth form and ready to start my creative career (after a lovely long summer off, of course!). I’ll admit, once I left sixth form, I had little idea as to what I really wanted to do in life. I felt lost, but I came to realise this is quite common for people my age. I took the summer to think and explore my options and stumbled across Marketing Apprenticeships – I knew almost instantly that this was right up my street. 

After weeks of researching and applying, I found an apprenticeship through VQ Solutions in October 2023 at a place called Golden Frog Marketing, a full-service marketing agency not too far from me. After having my first chat with Christy and Annabel at VQ Solutions – full of positivity and friendliness, they helped set me up an interview. 

Once I’d met the team at Golden Frog I felt right at home, with warm welcomes and such an enthusiastic, friendly group, it was just what I was looking for. After a couple interviews and phone calls with both Golden Frog and VQ Solutions, I was offered the job! 

Starting my job 

I got stuck in right away. From going backstage at the MOBO Awards 2024 to creating social media plans for our biggest clients (like Samuel Grant Packaging, Marmax Recycled Products, Ripon Theatre Festival, and Runswick Bay Hotels, just to name a few) – every day felt so rewarding, a real creative mix with new and exciting opportunities arising all the time! I’ve spent a lot of time in my apprenticeship working on big projects and watching my efforts have a positive impact, not only for me but for the company. I now get involved in all sorts of tasks, heading out to meetings, attending networking events and taking content in many different locations for our array of clients. It is clear that I have become a valuable asset to Golden Frog Marketing, which has led me to be offered a full-time role once I finish my course. 

My training 

VQ Solutions has been nothing but wonderful and so helpful. The endless number of resources and highly educational classes have helped me an enormous amount, learning valuable insights and gaining great knowledge about the marketing world to help me in my career. Last month I won “Apprentice of the Month” which gave me such a confidence boost. It’s so rewarding to see your efforts recognised and prove that hard work really does pay off! I can’t thank everyone at Golden Frog Marketing and VQ Solutions enough for allowing me to jump into a completely new environment and career that I had little knowledge of and let me grow into what I am today. 

Now that I am coming to the end of my apprenticeship, I can’t wait to see what lies ahead – I‘ve learnt so much in so little time. My future is looking bright and I’m excited to keep on growing and expanding my knowledge of the ever-changing marketing industry. 

I made the right choice 

If you’re in the same boat and are considering an apprenticeship, this is your sign to do it! Not only are you gaining valuable experience to shape your career, but you are gaining confidence and independence – helping you grow immensely. It is scary to leave school without a plan, and it is scary to put yourself into an entirely different environment – but at the same time, it really does pay off. We are constantly told again and again by schools that University is the only option to succeed and get your dream job, but apprenticeships are certainly proof that there is another way. I will come out of my apprenticeship with a valuable qualification, real-life experience, a full-time job offer, and no debt! There is no “right way” to get into your chosen career, only the way you feel is best for you and I feel as though I have made the best decision in choosing an apprenticeship – I do not regret it one bit! I’ve had such a blast so far and can’t recommend VQ Solutions enough to kick-start your dream career. 

Here’s what my Manager Sarah Blenkinsop said: “So proud of Alice, our wonderful apprentice, for receiving Apprentice of the Month! From a personal perspective, it is so rewarding to see the development and growth of our apprentices – it’s such a privilege to shape careers in this way. Thanks to VQ Solutions -  Alice is the 4th apprentice through them and I can’t recommend them highly enough.”