Member Article

Apprentice helps Gateshead enterprise networks embrace the digital era

An apprenticeship in Social Media and Digital Marketing has allowed a Gateshead employee to develop skills that have helped two Gateshead enterprise networks to grow their online presence.

Natasha Curry, 24 from Sunderland, was employed as Network Co-ordinator working for Digital Union and Gateshead Business, but her manager believed that with additional training and support, her full potential and passion for digital marketing could be realised, so they enrolled her on the programme with Team Valley-based Access Training.

Throughout the course, Natasha is being introduced to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and website design, she is being taught how to use various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as business tools as well as learning how to create content specifically for websites.

She is now able to devise, implement and analyse social media campaigns from beginning to end, something which is creating very visible results for Digital Union and Gateshead Business, two networks Natasha is currently working with.

She said: “The course has helped improve my understanding of all social media channels and how to use these as effective business tools.

“I am now able to use social networks and social management tools that I didn’t know existed, something which has helped Digital Union and Gateshead Business because it has improved our visibility among our target audiences on social networks.”

Since Natasha started her apprenticeship, both Digital Union and Gateshead Business report a definite increase in their online profile thanks to having someone able to carry out targeted activity.

Valerie Green, senior business development consultant at Access Training, added: “Social media is one of those things that most people use in some shape or form but that very few people use to its full advantage, especially in business.

“By completing this apprenticeship, Natasha is helping organisations to grow their online presence in a carefully planned and managed way so that she can deliver tangible results and the analysis to show it’s working.

“As a means of communication, this is one area which is certain to continue to grow as more of us go online to reach our target audiences and adapt the way we operate to keep pace with modern technology. We’re sure that Natasha is one of many others who will benefit immensely from this type of training programme.”

Digital Union is the largest digital and commercial creative network in the North East of England. Gateshead Business is a peer to peer network for small and medium sized businesses in Gateshead.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Baxter (Trumpet Communications) .