National Apprenticeship Week: Kennet School leaver pleased to see a rise in businesses offering apprenticeships as he takes role at Reading-based Pack & Send

ONE young man from Thatcham has proved that apprenticeships are still available as a route into the working world, despite the pandemic’s economic impact.

This National Apprenticeship Week, he is urging young adults in the area not to only look at what universities offer but consider apprenticeships too.

Harry Brown finished studying at Kennet School sixth form during the midst of the pandemic but was determined not to let it stop him pursuing a career.

While the apprenticeship opportunities were almost non-existent at first, he was happy to later see a rise in businesses giving school leavers the chance to learn on the job, eventually coming across Pack & Send.

The international shipping and courier company, based in Reading, was looking for a digital marketing apprentice.

It sparked Mr Brown's interest, and after a successful interview, it wasn’t long before he took up the role of keeping the company's website updated and managing its social media platforms.

Joining in May 2021, Mr Brown has undertaken his apprenticeship while also navigating through the challenges of the pandemic, having to work at home at various points.

He will finish the digital marketing course in three months and represents a new generation of workers who don’t know anything different than having to adapt to the rise in working from home and dealing with colleagues remotely.

He said: “Sadly, my peers and I finished sixth form at one of the worst possible times.

"But I was determined to seek out an apprenticeship, and thankfully that led me to Pack & Send.

"My role sees me manage the website content to keep it updated and optimised for search engines, as well as look after the social media platforms. Digital marketing is an ever-changing discipline so there’s always something new to learn.

“National Apprenticeship Week is a chance for me to tell school leavers that there’s so much to be gained from learning on the job.

"University doesn’t have to be the be all and end all – you can get experience in a sector you’re interested in, get paid to train, and learn from a real-world environment.”

Pack & Send chief executive Mike Ryan said: “We are keen to attract talent to our business and offer hands-on roles for apprentices alongside a supportive culture where employees are valued.

“As a franchise business we offer a full range of employment opportunities from apprenticeships, graduate schemes, customer service and driver roles through to business ownership of a franchise centre.

“Recent apprentices have gone on to be employed in full-time roles and I would urge anyone with an interest in a sales or customer-service led career to get in touch.”

Mr Brown's apprenticeship is through Elysium Training, and he is working towards his Level 3 qualification in digital marketing.