When you think of apprenticeships and graduate schemes, do you think of engineering, or trade skills, or maybe beauty therapy? You may not think about industries and sectors such as marketing. Regardless, marketing is an essential part of businesses of all sizes and in all industries and it's essential to growing businesses that fresh talent comes through to master this important business function.

Here, we are taking a look at two people working in Marketing in the Humber region, both at different stages of their careers; Jack Moore of Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Ellen White of Spencer Group. We also take a look at the training options that Hull and East Yorkshire Mind provide to help those looking at a career in social care and social work, or therapy and counselling.  

Ellen White, Marketing Apprentice, Spencer Group  

What does your company do and what is your role? 

Jack -  Hull and East Yorkshire Mind is here to ensure that nobody has to face a mental health problem alone. We offer one-to-one support and counselling, group support, crisis services and other specialist services such as supporting individuals experiencing substance misuse and poor mental health. Not a lot of people know this, but we are actually a housing association too with houses all across the local area.  

My role is to look after the Marketing and Communications for the organisation and our associated companies. Within my role, I lead on all things branding, social media, campaigns, PR, and internal and external communications. I work tirelessly with my wonderful colleagues and partners to raise awareness of mental health through igniting conversations, challenging perceptions, and empowering individuals to embrace mental health and wellbeing. 

Ellen - I work as a Marketing Apprentice for Spencer Group, an Engineering Company that works throughout the UK and specialises in design, civils, building, rail, bridges, mechanical, and electrical. 

How did you come to work in Marketing? 

Ellen - I first attended Malet Lambert Secondary School, then I applied to Ron Dearing UTC and studied Creative Digital and Art and Design. With these A levels, I was offered a place at Spencer Group as a Marketing Apprentice.  

Spencer Group was one of the original partners of Ron Dearing UTC, where I attended college. As a result of Ron Dearing UTC's ability to inform me of the Marketing Apprentice opportunity, the company received my resume and job application, and an interview was scheduled. After the interview in April, I found out within two weeks that I received the job and could start in September.  

I don't think I would have had this opportunity without attending Ron Dearing UTC, which connected me and many other people with fantastic apprenticeships around the Hull area. 

Jack - I’ve been with Hull and East Yorkshire Mind since the very beginning of my working journey after joining as an apprentice in 2015. I’ve had the privilege of growing and evolving alongside the organisation over the last 9 years and I really do love my job.   

 I feel like I actually did things a bit differently to the typical ‘norm’. I completed my Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeship, and more recently I have finished studying for a degree which I have completed, alongside working full time, over the last 3 years. I now have a degree in Marketing which I am sure will support me in my role and in the future.  

Jack Moore, Marketing Manager, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind  

What’s your favourite part of your job? 

Ellen- My favourite aspect of my profession is that I am continuously doing something new. Every day is different; I'm either in the office working on social media posts, graphic design, or video editing, or I'm out on various locations taking site photography.  

Jack - I think this is a tricky question, but overall, I have to say there is a real sense of fulfilment knowing that because of something I have communicated, people are able to get the support and respect they deserve – and that’s a very big deal. I also love my colleagues – they’re a great bunch!  A highlight of my career for me was winning a place on the Top 30 Under 30 in 2022. Having that recognition really ignited me again and gave me the reassurance that I was on the right track, which I found invaluable.  

What advice would you give to other people looking to follow a career in marketing?  

Jack - Creativity, good communication and teamwork is a must. It supports you to get the job done and put all of these together, and it’s magic! I would also say to never give up. As with any job, there are times when you may doubt yourself, but just believe in yourself! You’re probably better than you think.  

Ellen - I would pursue an apprenticeship because there are so many available in and around Hull. The course I'm taking is just 15 months long, and you're earning while studying and gaining work experience. After 15 months, you may be offered a full-time position with a competitive salary, and you may even go further with this and obtain an apprenticeship degree funded by your employer. 

Thank you to Ellen of Spencer Group and Jack of Hull and East Yorkshire Mind for their time in telling us all about their journey so far, and for their advice for budding marketers. We wish them every success in their careers and look forward to hearing from them again in the future.  

Opportunities at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind  

Thank you to Jack Moore for giving us more information about the training that Hull and East Yorkshire Mind are able to support and provide. 

About the organisation 

Hull and East Yorkshire Mind are an independent charity governed by a group of local trustees, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind is affiliated to the Mind network made up of over 130 organisations across England and Wales delivering services, campaigning and giving a voice to people with mental health problems, their families, carers and community. As a charity and a housing association Hull and East Yorkshire Mind has an ambitious vision for the future in which we will not give up until everybody experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.  

 We provide a range of services to people across Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire including crisis support, group support, one to one support, housing, support in education, vocational support, bereavement support and talking therapies (both private and funded).  

 We currently provide the following:   

• Social Work Placements for first and last placements on the BA and MA programmes.  
• Placements in our Therapy Services for students studying Counselling qualifications.  
• Work experience placements, receiving students from secondary and sixth form education providers.  
• Internships through the University of Hull.  

• Apprenticeships where opportunities are available within the organisation.    

For more information, please visit the Hull and East Yorkshire Mind website 

You can learn more about Talent+, the skills and talent development programme provided by Bondholders for Humber based talent of all ages at https://www.futurehumber.com/talentplus   

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