Onboarding · 6 min read
The first 90 days of an apprenticeship: how to nail them
The habits and rituals that make the first 90 days of a UK apprenticeship pay off - from a young marketer who's lived it in Somerset.
By Jack Frampton, Marketer at Queen's College, Taunton · Published 15 July 2026
Your first 90 days as an apprentice set the tone for the whole standard. Here's the playbook that worked for me at Queen's College, Taunton.
Weeks 1–4: absorb
Meet everyone. Take notes. Say yes to almost everything.
Weeks 5–8: own
Volunteer for one owned deliverable - a weekly report, a channel, a mini-project.
Weeks 9–12: ship
One visible win. Screenshot it for the portfolio.
Related
Frequently asked questions
- How much should I speak up in meetings?
- One thoughtful contribution per meeting beats silence or over-talking.
- Should I ask for feedback?
- Yes - weekly 1:1 with your line manager.
- What if I feel out of my depth?
- Normal - 90% of apprentices feel this. Tell your mentor early.
- Should I socialise with colleagues?
- Yes - informal relationships accelerate everything.
Explore more on this site
- Apprenticeship Hub →Free mentoring, vacancy help and guides for school leavers, parents and employers.
- Marketing Portfolio →Campaign design, sports graphics, editorial work and photography from Queen's College, Taunton.
- Video →Behind the scenes video and short-form apprenticeship content.
- About Jack Frampton →Marketer, apprenticeship advocate and Taunton keynote speaker.
About the author
Marketer at Queen's College, Taunton · Apprenticeship advocate
Jack Frampton is a marketer at Queen's College, Taunton, working across digital marketing, SEO, design, content and photography. He came through the apprenticeship route himself, founded the Taunton Apprenticeship Evening and speaks in schools across Somerset and the South West about apprenticeships as a route into marketing. He offers free mentoring for school leavers, parents and employers.
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