“Don’t let doubt hold you back – take the leap!”

When Lauran Trussler comes into work each day, the first thing she does is look at the award sitting on her desk. 

“It provides a constant source of motivation”, she says. “It’s a reminder of how I gave my all to something and that effort was deemed worth a Distinction.” 

But that’s not her only accomplishment. As a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprentice, Lauran received ‘Apprentice of the Year for Digital and IT’ at Leeds City College’s Printworks Campus’ Alf Cooke Awards and is now a full-time Junior Digital Marketer at the college.

We chatted to Lauran to hear more about her transformational journey from apprentice to full-time employee. 

Tell us about yourself – what made you decide to study digital marketing? 

My journey into marketing was sparked by a personal experience. As a small business owner, I quickly realised the critical role marketing plays in success. Unfortunately, I had to close my business due to unforeseen circumstances, but my interest in marketing remained.

I sought guidance from a career coach who suggested exploring marketing as a potential path. After a brief detour into a business apprenticeship, I was determined to find a role in marketing. When I discovered the Digital Marketing opportunity at Luminate Education Group, I knew it was the perfect fit.

How has your course developed you for a future in your chosen industry?

My course provided a strong foundation in marketing principles. This knowledge and practical experience from course projects have prepared me for a digital marketing role. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned in my new position as a Junior Digital Marketing Executive at Luminate Education Group.

What new skills have you learned throughout your apprenticeship?  

My apprenticeship has significantly expanded my marketing skill set. I’ve gained proficiency in crafting campaign briefs, developing social media strategies, utilising Google Analytics for data-driven insights, executing email campaigns, optimising SEO, managing brand identity, and refining campaign performance. This practical experience has been invaluable.

Tell us about a course highlight

Two stand-out moments during my apprenticeship were achieving an overall Distinction for my apprenticeship and winning the ‘Apprentice of the Year for Digital and IT’ award at the Alf Cooke Awards. The unexpected speed of the endpoint assessment results was incredibly exciting and the award was a complete surprise and a true honour. It’s a constant source of motivation sitting on my desk.

How did you find working at the college alongside your studies? 

Combining my studies with a role at the college was a fantastic experience. Working alongside the Digital team was invaluable. Their expertise complemented my apprenticeship learning, providing a well-rounded development opportunity.

What was the support like throughout your apprenticeship? 

The support was amazing. My tutor Nyla Ahmed was the best throughout the entire apprenticeship. She knew what my learning style was and the best ways for me to learn certain subjects. 

It was like a really good friend was teaching me the ways of marketing as no session was boring and there was laughter in every lesson which made me feel at ease. 

What advice would you give to anyone considering doing an apprenticeship? 

I wholeheartedly recommend apprenticeships to anyone considering their next steps. Age is truly just a number. My biggest fear was being too old to start something new, but I couldn’t be more wrong. 

Any final thoughts?

Apprenticeships offer invaluable practical experience and qualifications, making them a fantastic option for people of all ages. Don’t let doubt hold you back – take the leap!