To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Ilex Content Strategies is shining a light on its Apprenticeship Programme by hearing from some of its apprentices, both previous and current.
Ilex Content Strategies is proud to support alternative pathways to university through apprenticeships. They expand opportunities into education and employment, offering diversified options to those who feel university may not be the right fit, ultimately increasing social mobility for people from all walks of life.
By combining real-world experiences with theoretical models and frameworks, apprentices can strengthen their confidence, build their industry knowledge, and see their academic understanding put into practice. Apprenticeships are an excellent, well-rounded way to kickstart your career, irrelevant of your age, experience, or background.
Gemma Hamilton, Account Manager and Previous Level 3 Apprentice:
Joining Ilex as its first-ever apprentice was the best choice I made for my career. After completing my journalism degree at university, I wasn’t ready to stop learning. When I came across the Level 3 Digital Marketer programme offered by Ilex, I knew instantly that this would be the perfect fit to further develop my skillset.
Taking up this apprenticeship gave me the perfect mix of real-world experience and academic learning. From the start, I got the full marketing agency experience, from involvement in client calls to writing business content and crafting strategic campaigns. All while earning a recognised qualification.
Looking back on this experience, I can confidently say this set me up with a strong marketing foundation that I continue to build on five years later, now as an Account Manager. These are skills that I still use every day and now have the opportunity to pass on to new members of the team. Ultimately, completing this apprenticeship opened the door to a role where I’ve evolved in ways I never expected, managing my own team and helping my clients smash KPI goals and break into new markets. If you’re considering your next step, I can’t recommend an apprenticeship enough.
Annabelle Forster, Junior Account Executive and Current Degree Apprentice
I started my Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing at Ilex around a year and a half ago, and since then it has continually proven to be the best route I could have taken into higher education and employment. I can’t believe I’ve already completed Level 4, but I am now entering Level 5 with confidence, enthusiasm and a skillset I didn’t have before I started my Degree Apprenticeship at Ilex.
I’ve learnt a lot about marketing principles and how to apply them at university, but I think the true value in learning as an apprentice comes from being able to see how theory truly impacts and underpins day-to-day operations in the workplace. This mixture has been invaluable in developing my skillset. Combining what I learn at university with training and guidance from Ilex has helped me to understand and meet client needs, write with clarity and intention, and design marketing and sales materials that look professional and impactful.
Ilex has created a supportive environment for me to thrive in my Degree Apprenticeship. My colleagues are always there to guide me and ensure I am making the best progression possible. We have a strong culture of teamwork and understanding that enables me to develop my skillset every day.
Ilex’s support has helped me to really push myself in my Degree Apprenticeship, and it was great to be recognised as Degree Apprentice of the Year at the Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards in October. As I continue to develop in my career, I know that the knowledge and skills I’ve gained as a result of choosing a Degree Apprenticeship will only boost and encourage me to go further.
Read more about Annabelle’s Degree Apprenticeship Award Win here: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/business/ilex-content-strategies-annabelle-forster-wins-degree-apprentice-of-the-year-at-portsmouth-and-chichester-apprenticeship-awards-5373845
Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ilex-content-strategies
