Apprenticeships · 6 min read
Hiring a marketing apprentice in the UK: a manager's honest guide
What UK businesses should expect when hiring a apprenticeship advocate - costs, output, funding and how to set them up to succeed.
By Jack Frampton, Marketer at Queen's College, Taunton · Published 1 July 2026
Hiring a marketing apprentice is one of the highest-ROI moves a UK small business can make in 2026 - but only if you brief and support them properly. Here's what I've learned from the inside as an apprentice at Queen's College, Taunton.
The real cost is lower than people think
For non-levy employers, the government covers 95–100% of training. Your main cost is salary (often £14,000–£20,000) plus around 6 hours a week of off-the-job study time.
Don't hire them for coffee runs
The biggest waste I see: apprentices used as admin support. A marketing apprentice should own real channels - social, email, a landing page, a campaign - from month two.
Give them one senior mentor
Weekly 1:1s with someone senior beats a rotating "everyone helps out" model. Ownership drives faster skill growth.
Track output, not hours
Posts shipped, emails sent, campaigns launched, leads generated - measure the same way you'd measure any junior marketer.
Frequently asked questions
- What can a marketing apprentice actually do?
- Run social channels, build email campaigns, manage paid ads, write copy, design in Canva, update the website, and analyse GA4 data - all under supervision.
- How long is the apprenticeship?
- The Apprenticeship Advocate Level 3 standard takes 12–18 months plus end-point assessment.
- Do I have to pay the apprenticeship levy?
- Only if your annual pay bill exceeds £3 million. Smaller businesses use co-investment, with the government funding 95–100%.
- Where do I advertise the role?
- Post it on Find an Apprenticeship (GOV.UK) via a training provider like Bridgwater & Taunton College.
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.
Contact: