Marketing Your Apprenticeships

With skills shortages a common theme in many of the sectors we work with, apprenticeships are an ever-important channel to recruit new talent into a business. Which is why successfully marketing your apprenticeship programme is essential when it comes to attracting new apprentices to your organisation, but also engagement and retention of apprentices after they have joined.

From social media, to careers fairs, to print, to graduation events – and everything in between – we work with a range of clients to support the growth of their apprenticeship programme through a strong online and offline presence.

Recruitment

There are a high number of enthusiastic people looking for an apprenticeship, searching for where to begin or change their career path. Marketing your apprenticeship programme in the right way can boost your success, attracting a high caliber of individuals who are the perfect fit for your business. At Big Sound Marketing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. After discovering your goals and expectations, our highly skilled team can recommend the best channels to aid your recruitment process, ensuring your values and aspirations are always at the heart of what we produce.

We have worked with clients to grow their apprentice cohorts exponentially, and even used our knowledge to employ and mentor our own apprentices. We pride ourselves in producing engaging, relevant content, participating in trends that resonate with your audience and creating materials with a more youthful approach.

Dedicated Social Media

By creating and populating dedicated social media channels, we can find your target audience and engage with them appropriately.

Some benefits of dedicated social media accounts are:

  • Create content that resonates with a younger audience
  • Tailor the information shared, prioritising the facts prospective apprentices actually want to know
  • Prescence on channels that are more popular with younger people – you need to appear where your audience already are
  • Create a light-hearted hub of information, providing value for both prospective and current apprentices
  • Avoid upsetting your current audience with apprenticeship overload – they follow you for a reason, so let’s keep it that way
  • You get the best of both worlds! Nurture both audiences with relevant and engaging content and achieve all your goals

It’s a whole new world, so Big Sound are here to support and guide you towards success. A new audience means new content types, new designs, new videos styles and so much more, but your brand identity will always be at the centre of everything we create.

Careers Fairs

You’ll sense a common theme in our approach – appearing and showcasing your company where your target audience already are. Careers fairs are the perfect opportunity to shout about the apprenticeship options available, your company values and career progression routes.

Whether you’re planning to attend a local fair or a much bigger scale event, Big Sound Marketing ensure that your message will be heard.

We are specialists in our field, providing services including:

  • Stand organisation
  • Design and production of banners, posters, wall graphics
  • Creation of brochures and flyers, from copywriting to design and print
  • Activity and engagement ideation and planning
  • Social media coverage before, during and after the event

From start to finish, we’ll be by your side, bringing your visions to life and suggesting innovative ideas, keeping your stand fresh and eye-catching.

Print

Brochures? Tick. Certificates? Tick. 10 metre wall graphics? Tick. Awards? Tick!

We think you get the idea! Whatever you require, no matter the size or format, its very likely we can provide a high quality, innovative solution!

Print materials are the perfect way to draw in attention, whether that’s a static banner or brochures and flyers that can be taken away. By prioritising a consistent and clear brand identity, your business will not only stand out but also remain easily recognisable and unforgettable. Whether you’re looking to impress, inform, or inspire, we’re here to help bring your vision to life.

Apprenticeship-specific materials are key to the success of your recruitment and appreciation strategy. You’re talking to a completely different audience, with different priorities, interests and perspectives so your print materials should reflect that.

We’re sure your ideal candidate is full of enthusiasm and ready to learn, so that’s exactly who to aim to attract. At Big Sound, our goal is to help you to create something a little different, combining our creativity with your business targets and producing memorable, branded products and materials.

Check out a range of print materials we have produced:

Podcasts

In 2024, 22.4 million people in the UK listened to podcasts, clearly demonstrating their growing popularity. A podcast could be the perfect way to educate your audience on your apprenticeship programme, raise awareness and create a community surrounding common experiences and thoughts surrounding apprenticeships. At Big Sound Marketing, we have all the tools to facilitate the recording, promotion and delivery of your podcast, ensuring you reach your target audience.

Launching in January 2025, we recently worked with our client to create ‘The Ford and Slater Apprenticeship Show’, highlighting their apprenticeship programme. The goal of the podcast was to provide valuable insights into the programme and reach a wider audience, especially young people considering a career in the automotive industry.

Through a strategic, end-to-end approach, Big Sound Marketing ensured the podcast’s success by managing everything from production to marketing and even securing media exposure on BBC Radio Leicester.

Read the full case study here.

PR and Communications

In today’s competitive job market, apprenticeship programmes play a crucial role in bridging the skills gap, offering hands-on training, and providing valuable career pathways. However, to maximise their impact, these programmes must be effectively promoted and communicated to key stakeholders—including potential apprentices, employers, educators, and policymakers. This is where PR and strategic communications come into play.

A well-executed PR and communications strategy can enhance the visibility of  your apprenticeship scheme, attract top talent, and strengthen relationships with businesses and industry leaders. It can also help position your organisation as a thought leader in workforce development, fostering trust and credibility. Additionally, strong communication efforts can address misconceptions about apprenticeships, highlighting their value as a viable alternative to traditional education routes.

PR and communications was a huge factor in the success of the launch of our client’s apprenticeship scheme, The M&J Academy. Announcing the launch and intentions of the programme to local and industry specific press was key to reaching the target audience of both apprentices and their relatives, and business competitors. Targeting apprentices in the local area helped to raise awareness and spark interest in the programme, resulting in a full first cohort and an extremely long list of interested applicants for future intake. Read our case study here.

By leveraging media outreach, social media campaigns, employer testimonials, and success stories, PR and communications can amplify the positive impact of apprenticeships, ensuring they receive the recognition and engagement they deserve. In this way, effective messaging not only benefits individual apprentices and employers but also contributes to the broader economic and social development of industries and communities.

Promoting Your Programme

When promoting your apprenticeship programme, it is essential to highlight what sets it apart from others in the industry. With numerous apprenticeship opportunities available, standing out requires a clear and compelling value proposition. Whether it’s the specialised training provided, strong industry partnerships, career progression opportunities, or unique benefits such as mentorship programmes and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, these differentiators should be at the forefront of your communications. Showcasing success stories, employer testimonials, and the real-world impact of your programme can further reinforce its credibility and appeal. By effectively communicating what makes your apprenticeship unique, you can attract high-calibre candidates and establish your programme as a top choice for skill development and career growth.

Stand out benefits could include:

  • State-of-the-art training facilities
  • Wide range of company benefits
  • Higher salary
  • Industry leading mentors
  • High contact, on the job hours

Check Out Some Of Our Work