Ryan Branscombe started his Digital Marketing apprenticeship with Ashgate Hospice in April 2022.  

As part of Apprenticeship Week, Ryan tells us more about why he took on an apprenticeship and what it’s like to be completing it with the hospice. 

Back in 2021, I was searching for work, but there were no jobs that I could find with the skills I had at the time. I realised my skills had the potential to be transferred into a marketing role, and an apprenticeship would give me the opportunity to both learn and work in that field. 

After my application process was successful, I was delighted to start an 18-month Level 3 Digital Marketer apprenticeship at Ashgate in April 2022. I currently attend a course one day a week, which involves aspects of marketing and web development. I then work four days a week in the Marketing and Communications Team at Ashgate. This gives me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in a real-life working environment. 

As part of my apprenticeship, I log the work I have done which is building up into a portfolio, and I also take exams. 

It’s been a great way for me to learn new skills, including coding, video editing, creating web pages and email campaigns. I’ve also been able to gain more knowledge about software that supports the role, such as Microsoft Excel.  

The best thing about completing an apprenticeship with the hospice has been the team, who have been accommodating, supporting and understanding since I started. They have helped me learn new skills and I always find it enjoyable to talk with them. 

It’s good to have a mix of college, university and past work experiences; the learning has never felt as organic as it has been with this apprenticeship. I feel I have room to learn whilst on the job, which makes it different to completely class-based learning. 

If you’re unsure about starting an apprenticeship, I would say if you are in a position where you’re looking for a different career path and have the support behind you, an apprenticeship is the perfect way to learn new skills whilst on the job.