Aspiring digital marketers should consider doing a digital marketing apprenticeship as these programs are an excellent alternative to get the hands-on training needed to excel in the field. An apprenticeship in digital marketing is a sure-fire way to become familiar with the latest trends and technologies in this fast-paced industry.
This guide contains all the information you need to know about digital marketing apprenticeship programs, including salaries and potential career paths after your apprenticeship. Most importantly, we introduce you to the best digital marketing apprenticeships available at the time of writing.
What Is a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship?
A digital marketing apprenticeship is a program that provides hands-on training on relevant and in-demand digital marketing techniques. In a digital marketing apprenticeship, you will become familiar with basic marketing principles and well-established marketing tools.
However, today’s apprenticeships in this industry also put a huge emphasis on social media marketing, search engines, email marketing, and analytics. As part of your program, you will no doubt explore key tools in today’s landscape such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads.
Most importantly, your digital marketing apprenticeship will teach you how to create digital marketing campaigns while helping you develop the interpersonal skills needed to work as part of a modern marketing team.
What Does a Digital Marketing Apprentice Do?
Most digital marketing apprentices work as part of a team to create online marketing strategies. The goal is to reach target consumers and sell them the company’s product or services. Digital marketing apprentices should be acquainted with common digital marketing tools and techniques and be able to deploy them effectively. Good communication skills are also a must.
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Salary
ZipRecruiter reports that the average digital marketing apprentice salary is $47,288 per year, which translates to $23 an hour. Some apprentices earn as little as $18,000 while those with ample experience can bring home as much as $95,000 a year.
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Requirements
Digital marketing is a highly technical field that requires expertise in several technologies. Many apprenticeship opportunities are open only to those already familiar with several digital platforms and able to leverage them to plan campaigns and reach the right target audience. Candidates must also be creative individuals capable of producing marketing campaigns and content that accurately represent the product and service they are selling.
There are also digital marketing apprenticeships that are open to individuals who have no prior job experience. For most of them, you are expected to have at least a high school diploma or GED. A keen interest in digital marketing strategy is a must, and you should be open to professional development.
Types of Digital Marketing Apprenticeships
You can use a digital marketing apprenticeship as training for a wide range of roles. Aspiring digital marketing managers, graphic designers, content writers, web developers, and digital designers can also benefit from completing a digital marketing apprenticeship. Below, we take a closer look at each of these potential career paths.
Digital Marketing Manager
Digital marketing managers are responsible for overseeing a campaign project from its inception. Their goal is to make sure that the project is within budget and on track to meet profit and customer outreach goals. These professionals work closely with other departments so that deliverables like campaign materials are ready when needed.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer provides the visual assets required for a digital marketing campaign. Using tools like graphics and video editing software, these professionals create the media used to illustrate the campaign. Their goal is to ensure the campaign catches the audience’s attention and helps to convert as many customers as possible.
Content Writer
Content writers produce content for a website or social media campaign or for print media like magazines. Today’s content writers need to be well-versed in search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, including in-depth knowledge of relevant keywords and even familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush.
Web Developer
If you are a digital marketing apprentice, becoming a web developer is also on the cards. In the digital marketing industry, web developers build the sites where companies showcase their products. There are different types of web developers. Some focus solely on the customer-facing side of a website, while others work on the servers and the databases that power it. There are also developers that build a site from the ground up, taking ownership of both front end and backend processes.
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Jobs
Below, we take a look at the best apprenticeship opportunities available at the time of writing. The companies below offer apprenticeship programs that combine in-class learning with on-the-job training.
COOP Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
COOP offers a 200-hour digital marketing apprenticeship in partnership with Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce. The first 100 hours are dedicated to strengthening your digital marketing foundation and covers topics such as SEO, Google Ads, Google Analytics, Excel, and Facebook Ads.
The second part of the program takes a total of 50 hours and focuses on soft skills. You will learn how to tell a story, which is key in capturing the audience’s attention. There is also an emphasis on financial planning, organizational skills, and networking.
In the last phase of the program, you’ll be tutored in portfolio creation and job hunting. You’ll also receive interview prep training. The goal is to help you land a job with a digital marketing company where you can continue your training.
Multiverse Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
This is a 12-month apprenticeship offered in partnership with General Assembly. It is aimed at junior marketing professionals who want to expand their knowledge of topics like SEO, social media marketing, and campaign planning. It consists of two separate bootcamps. The first one focuses on introducing apprentices to the industry and helping them grow their network.
The second bootcamp is all about the technical skills needed to succeed in the industry. You’ll go through a series of modules covering portfolio creation, marketing basics, campaign planning, customer lifecycle, and social media etiquette.
NEW Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Program
NEW offers two apprenticeship opportunities: one is a bootcamp combined with an apprenticeship and the other is work experience and an apprenticeship. The first option lasts 12 weeks and will have you work on real-world projects while receiving job prep and coaching to prepare you for a full-time role in the digital marketing industry.
In the second option, you will work eight to 12 weeks at a partner company. If you are successful, you will be hired as a full-time apprentice and work 30 hours per week. This apprenticeship opportunity is available in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. The total tuition cost is $14,000, but several payment options are available, such as grants and scholarships. You can also apply for a US Department of Labor grant.
Professional Academy Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Program
Professional Academy aims to help digital marketers develop their skills and knowledge, especially on social media platforms. This company is currently offering a digital marketer apprenticeship that trains people in roles such as digital marketing assistant, campaign executive, digital marketing coordinator, and SEO executive.
This program consists of three modules: coding, marketing principles, and digital marketing business principles. It takes about 18 months to complete and is ideal for those looking to improve their ability to drive target consumers to campaigns. This program will also show how to create simple yet effective marketing campaigns.
Two Octobers Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
This apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor, aims to meet the standards set by the US Department of Labor for professionals in the digital marketing industry. You can apply for this opportunity without relevant work experience or postsecondary education. All you need is a high school diploma or GED.
This apprenticeship program runs for about three years. You will work as an intern for 10 to 20 hours per week in Two Octobers, benefiting from on-the-job training and coursework. After a year, you’ll have the option to join the company in a full-time capacity if you are successful.
This is a great program to expand your knowledge of SEO, SEM, social media platforms, email marketing, keyword research, analytics, and tracking. Apprentices will acquire a large digital marketing portfolio and have the option to take classes in the Colorado Community College System to master key concepts in digital marketing.
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How to Get a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
Most of the apprenticeship programs on this list require some education or training. You can get this training in various ways, including attending a bootcamp, doing an internship, going to a trade school, or doing some other form of vocational training. We take a closer look at these options below.
Bootcamps
In a bootcamp, you will master the fundamentals of digital marketing in a matter of weeks. Bootcamps are short but intensive programs that focus on the skills needed to join the workforce. To prepare for some of the apprenticeship programs listed above, consider attending a top SEO bootcamp or a social media marketing bootcamp.
Internships
A digital marketing career may also start with an internship at a marketing company. In an internship, you will be trained in a wide range of practical skills. Once you complete the internship, the company may offer you the opportunity to continue working there through an apprenticeship, particularly if you performed well and managed to impress your supervisors.
Trade Schools
A trade school is also a viable option to secure the training you need for an apprenticeship. You can find several trade school programs that can help you prepare for a digital marketing apprentice role, including courses in IT, business, and marketing.
Vocational Training
Seeking vocational training is also a good idea if your goal is to land a digital marketing apprenticeship. These days, you can find high-quality vocational training in online learning platforms like edX, Udemy, and Coursera.
The online courses you’ll find on these websites can get you ready to tackle the responsibilities you will have as a digital marketing apprentice. For instance, you may take a graphic design, content writing, SEO, or social media marketing course.
Is a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Worth It?
Digital marketing as an industry will continue to thrive in the coming years. With social media consumption and Internet usage steadily on the rise, companies will continue to rely on digital marketing experts to reach new customers. Becoming a digital marketer is a wise decision that can lead to lucrative employment and job security.
A digital marketing apprenticeship will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to develop your potential in this industry. It also gives you relevant experience that may open the door to full-time employment opportunities. All in all, if you are considering a career in the digital marketing industry, then pursuing an apprenticeship is an excellent idea.
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship FAQ
There is a wide variety of digital marketing apprenticeships. Some last for a few weeks while others can take a few months or even years to complete. How long they take depends on the individual employer offering the apprenticeship opportunity.
Relevant qualifications include knowing digital marketing principles, proficiency with the tools and techniques used for campaigns, and being familiar with other digital marketing activities. It also helps if you have practical experience in a range of platforms. A competent digital marketer should have expertise in social media marketing, SEO, SEM, content writing, and graphic design. Creative thinking skills and knowledge of digital etiquette are also paramount.
Yes, digital marketing is a good career. It has a job outlook of 10 percent, which is much higher than the average occupation. This industry offers plenty of career opportunities, including becoming a digital marketing executive or digital marketing assistant. As a digital marketer, a successful career will always be a possibility as long as you are willing to put in the work.
A digital marketing apprenticeship program is an excellent option to get into digital marketing. It combines theoretical and practical approaches to develop your skills and introduce you to different trends in the field. A digital marketing apprenticeship is an excellent option to learn SEO, social media marketing, customer relationship marketing, and graphic design, among other important skills.
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