How to Hire a Marketing Apprentice for Your Business
You need a marketer. The government will fund most of the training. Here is everything you need to know — written plainly, without the jargon — about hiring a marketing apprentice through NTG Training.
✦ Quick Answer
To hire a marketing apprentice for your business, choose the right apprenticeship standard — the Multi-Channel Marketer Level 3 or the Content Creator Level 3 — confirm your funding eligibility, and partner with NTG Training. Government funding covers up to £11,000–£12,000 of training costs. Non-levy employers pay just 5%, or nothing at all for apprentices aged 16–21. Contact Tina Lavery at NTG Training to get started today.
Free Download: The Complete Employer Funding Guide
Everything in this article — plus funding tables, real cost comparisons, a step-by-step access guide and FAQs — in a single printable PDF. Written by Tina Lavery, NTG Training.
↓ Download Free PDF — No Sign-Up RequiredWhy Are Businesses Choosing Marketing Apprenticeships Right Now?
Every business needs marketing. Most businesses — especially small and medium-sized ones — struggle to afford it well. A senior marketer costs between £30,000 and £50,000 a year. A decent agency retainer can cost more than that, with no loyalty to your brand and no institutional knowledge of your business.
A marketing apprentice is a fundamentally different proposition. You hire someone committed to your business who learns your brand from the inside, delivers real marketing work from day one, and grows with your company — with up to £11,000 of their professional training paid for by the government.
That is not a compromise. That is a smart, strategic business decision.
What Is a Marketing Apprenticeship?
A marketing apprenticeship is a structured, employer-led training programme that combines a real job with a nationally recognised professional qualification. Your apprentice works in your business — doing actual marketing work — whilst completing a qualification assessed by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
Eighty percent of their working time is yours. The remaining twenty percent is structured off-the-job learning, managed entirely by NTG Training. You are not expected to run a training programme — that is our job.
At the end of the programme, your apprentice sits an End-Point Assessment (EPA). Pass it, and they leave with a Level 3 qualification, BCS accreditation, and fifteen months of real, hands-on marketing experience in your business.
💡 Did You Know?
Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers or new hires. You can enrol an existing member of your marketing team on a fully funded programme — even someone who has been with you for years — provided they do not already hold a qualification at the same level in a similar subject. This is one of the most powerful and underused employer benefits in the UK.
Which Standard Is Right for Your Business?
NTG Training delivers three marketing apprenticeship standards. Here is a clear breakdown to help you choose.
| Feature | Multi-Channel Marketer L3 | Content Creator L3 | Marketing Manager L6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard code | ST1031 | ST0105 | ST0278 |
| Best for | General marketing — campaigns, SEO, email, social, analytics | Digital content — video, photography, copywriting, creative production | Experienced marketers moving into management |
| Govt funding band | £11,000 | £12,000 | £14,000 |
| Duration | ~15 months | ~15 months | ~24 months |
| Assessed by | BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT | Approved EPAO | BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT |
| NTG course page | Multi-Channel Marketer → | Content Creator → | Marketing Manager → |
| Official standard | Skills England ST1031 → | Skills England ST0105 → | Skills England ST0278 → |
Not sure which fits your role? Speak to Tina Lavery at NTG Training. She will look at your business and vacancy, and give you a straight recommendation — no jargon, no obligation.
How Does the Funding Actually Work?
If You Pay the Apprenticeship Levy
If your annual payroll exceeds £3 million, you already contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy — 0.5% of your payroll goes into a digital levy account monthly. That money can only be spent on apprenticeship training. Unspent funds expire after 24 months. Hiring a marketing apprentice through NTG Training deploys that levy strategically, at no additional cost to your business.
If You Do Not Pay the Levy
Businesses with a payroll under £3 million benefit from government co-investment:
- Apprentice aged 16–21: Government pays 100% of training costs — you pay nothing
- Apprentice aged 22+: Government pays 95% — you pay just 5% (as little as £550 for an £11,000 programme)
In both cases, you pay the apprentice's salary — typically £14,000–£18,000 per year for an entry-level marketing role.
✅ Real Numbers — Non-Levy Employer, Apprentice Aged 22+
Multi-Channel Marketer L3 training cost: £11,000
Government pays: £10,450
Your training contribution: £550 spread over 15 months
Apprentice salary (your cost): approx. £14,000–£18,000/year
For the cost of two months of a mid-range agency retainer, you get a dedicated, growing,
BCS-accredited marketer who knows your business inside out.
Want the Full Funding Tables and Cost Comparisons?
Download NTG Training's free Employer Funding Guide — an 11-page PDF with funding tables, real cost comparisons, step-by-step guidance and FAQs. Written by Tina Lavery.
↓ Download Free PDF Guide
Step-by-Step: How to Hire Through NTG Training
Get in touch with Tina Lavery
A 30-minute conversation — no cost, no commitment. Tina will ask about your business, your marketing needs, and what you are trying to achieve. Start the conversation →
Choose the right standard
Tina helps you decide between the Multi-Channel Marketer L3, the Content Creator L3, or the Marketing Manager L6 — based on what your business actually needs.
Confirm your funding
NTG confirms your levy status and funding entitlement and walks you through the ESFA portal. You will not navigate government systems alone — we have done this hundreds of times.
Recruit your apprentice — free of charge
NTG Training's free recruitment service advertises your role, screens applications, and presents suitable candidates. Already have someone in mind? We can work with them directly — new hire or existing employee.
Your apprentice starts — NTG manages everything
From day one, your apprentice contributes to your marketing. NTG handles all training delivery, progress tracking, and EPA preparation. We keep you updated without burdening you with the detail.
Completion, qualification, and a loyal team member
After approximately 15 months, your apprentice sits their End-Point Assessment with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Pass, and you have a qualified, experienced marketer who knows your business better than anyone you could ever recruit from outside.
What Will Your Marketing Apprentice Actually Do?
Multi-Channel Marketer — Typical Responsibilities
- Planning and scheduling social media content across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X
- Writing and distributing email marketing campaigns
- Supporting SEO — keyword research, on-page optimisation, content updates
- Assisting with paid advertising (Google Ads, Meta Ads) under supervision
- Pulling and interpreting analytics reports from GA4 and Meta Insights
- Supporting multi-channel campaign planning and execution
- Developing and maintaining the marketing content calendar
Content Creator — Typical Responsibilities
- Creating short-form video for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts
- Writing blog posts, web copy, and social media captions
- Producing photography and graphic assets using Canva, Adobe Express or Photoshop
- Managing content scheduling and community engagement
- Supporting brand consistency across all digital touchpoints
- Interpreting creative briefs and delivering content that meets campaign objectives
💡 Tina's Honest Advice
The more you invest in your apprentice's onboarding during the first four weeks, the faster they become genuinely productive. Give them a real brief, real responsibilities, and a named person to report to. Apprentices treated as full team members from day one consistently outperform those left to find their feet alone.
The Business Case: Why an Apprentice Beats Most Alternatives
| Option | Annual Cost (approx.) | Business Knowledge | Long-Term Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing agency retainer | £24,000–£60,000 | ✗ Minimal | ✗ Ends with contract |
| Freelancer | £15,000–£40,000 | ✗ Limited | ✗ No continuity |
| Junior hire (unfunded) | £22,000–£28,000 + training | ✓ Grows over time | ✓ Good — if trained well |
| Marketing Apprentice (NTG) | £14k–£18k salary + ~£550 training* | ✓ Deep — learns your brand | ✓ Excellent — qualified + loyal |
*Non-levy employer, apprentice aged 22+. Levy employers: £0 training contribution.
⚠️ One Honest Caveat
Apprenticeships are not a source of cheap admin labour. Businesses that approach the programme with that mindset get poor results. The employers who get the most from marketing apprenticeships invest genuine mentorship time in the first three months. NTG Training supports you throughout — but the best outcomes happen when employer and provider work as a genuine partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a marketing apprentice in the UK?
Levy employers pay nothing extra — costs come from their levy account. Non-levy employers pay just 5% of training costs, or nothing for apprentices aged 16–21. The Multi-Channel Marketer L3 is funded at £11,000; Content Creator L3 at £12,000. You pay the apprentice's salary, typically £14,000–£18,000 per year.
What is the difference between the Multi-Channel Marketer and Content Creator apprenticeship?
The Multi-Channel Marketer L3 covers broader marketing — SEO, PPC, email, social, analytics and campaign planning — ideal for a general marketing role. The Content Creator L3 focuses on producing digital, audio and visual content — suited to social media, video production or creative roles. Not sure? Ask Tina.
Can I use an apprenticeship to upskill an existing employee?
Yes — absolutely. This is one of the most underused employer benefits in the UK. You can enrol an existing team member on a fully funded programme provided they do not already hold a qualification at the same or higher level in a similar subject. Age and years of service are no barrier.
How long does a marketing apprenticeship last?
Both the Multi-Channel Marketer L3 and Content Creator L3 run for approximately 15 months, including End-Point Assessment. Your apprentice spends 80% of their time in your business and 20% on structured off-the-job learning managed by NTG Training.
What qualifications does the apprentice achieve?
Multi-Channel Marketer L3: A nationally recognised Level 3 qualification assessed by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Content Creator L3: A nationally recognised Level 3 qualification aligned to the Skills England ST0105 standard.
Does NTG Training help with recruitment?
Yes — free of charge. NTG advertises your vacancy, screens applications, and presents suitable candidates. If you already have someone in mind — an existing employee or external candidate — we can work with them directly.
Is my business eligible for apprenticeship funding?
Almost certainly yes. You must operate in England, have a genuine marketing-related vacancy, and employ the apprentice for at least 30 hours per week. Contact Tina Lavery to confirm your eligibility at no cost and with no obligation.
What happens if the apprentice leaves before completing?
Funding stops if an apprentice withdraws. NTG Training works proactively throughout to support both apprentice and employer — identifying concerns early and resolving them before they escalate. We will always be transparent if we spot warning signs, and will work with you on a resolution.
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