My name is Yan Couper-Harris, most recent family member of the Appletree family. I started my marketing apprenticeship here at the end of May and have been thoroughly enjoying it!

I have started writing this blog as I would like to take you through my year-long experience of being a marketing apprentice. I have been kept up to date with current marketing news through blogs and they have inspired some of my work, I hope that my blog may set of a few light bulbs for you.

I have a very keen interest in marketing and promotion and was very keen to start a marketing apprenticeship. Before my apprenticeship I was running an online shop for a small home furnishings company. I was working very closely to the director and was learning a lot about key wording, Google analytics and how to market the company and the company?s brand; through this work, my passion for marketing was born. Unfortunately I was made redundant 7 months after working for the company; however when one door closes another opens.

Since I started back in May I have been learning a vast range of skills and marketing techniques. I would even go so far as to say I?m picking it up pretty quickly and bringing an aspect of creativity to my work.

At the age of 22 I can assure you, I thought my days of going back to college and studying were done. I am going to Newbury College once a month to complete my NVQ level 2 in marketing. As part of the course I have to complete assignments throughout the year and complete a couple of exams at the end of the year.

So are you thinking of starting an apprenticeship but put off by the money? Well I?m not going to lie ? an apprenticeship wage isn?t great, but in all honesty you can?t put a price on what you learn. Not only have I been learning about marketing and the various techniques, but I am also gathering valuable experience working for a marketing company. Networking ? I am meeting a wide range of people that could potentially help me out in the future. Lastly I am learning business ethics, which is something they do not teach you in school.

So why follow me on my journey? Throughout the year I shall be telling you what I am learning, tricks of the trade or best practises. I shall also be posting my thoughts on the marketing industry and what it?s like to be an apprentice month by month.