At Encocam, we are proud to support young people as they take their first steps into the world of work through apprenticeships. A degree apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to gain valuable professional experience, earn a salary and achieve a recognised university qualification, all without the burden of tuition fees. 

We currently provide apprenticeship opportunities in: 

• HR 

• Marketing 

• Engineering 

• Business Administration 

• Machining 

We spoke to Evie Ferry, Digital Marketing Apprentice, who is currently halfway through her four-year Digital Marketing degree apprenticeship at Anglia Ruskin University. Evie shares her experience of combining work and study, the skills she has developed, and why she believes a degree apprenticeship is an excellent route into a professional career. 

Choosing a Degree Apprenticeship

“During school, I never considered myself particularly academic and often found exams stressful due to the pressure they can bring. A degree apprenticeship appealed to me because it offers a more practical way of learning, rather than relying solely on exams. 

Each trimester, I complete between two and four assignments. While that may sound like a lot, the support, flexibility, and dedicated study time provided by both the university and my employer help make the workload manageable. 

Alongside my assignments, I also collect evidence of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) I develop through my role. These contribute towards my end-point assessment portfolio and are reviewed regularly with both my workplace mentor and university tutor. This approach allows me to demonstrate how I am applying what I learn in a real business environment.”

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Learning beyond the classroom

One of the biggest advantages of a degree apprenticeship is the opportunity to gain practical experience while studying.

“I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far. The support from both my workplace mentors and university tutors has been fantastic, and I’ve developed valuable skills that I may not have gained through a traditional degree alone. 

Being able to immediately apply what I’m learning in my role has helped me build confidence and deepen my understanding of marketing. Every day presents new opportunities to learn and develop professionally.”

Balancing work and study

Many prospective apprentices wonder whether balancing work and university commitments can be challenging. For Evie, the experience has been a positive one.

“As part of my apprenticeship, 20% of my working week is dedicated to off-the-job learning and study. I have the flexibility to divide these hours across several days or complete them in one day, which is the approach I’ve chosen. 

My course is primarily online, meaning I only attend university workshops around six times per year. These sessions focus on marketing theory, group discussions, practical activities, and preparing for upcoming assignments. The online format gives me the flexibility to learn while continuing to gain valuable workplace experience.” 

Developing skills with Industry Experts

Working alongside experienced professionals has played an important role in Evie’s development. 

“Being part of Encocam’s Marketing team has been incredibly beneficial. I work with experienced colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and provide guidance. 

The team creates a collaborative environment where my ideas and contributions are valued. Rather than simply assigning tasks, they take the time to mentor me, helping me develop practical marketing skills and build confidence in my abilities.”

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Thoughts from Evie’s mentor

“An apprenticeship can open the door for people who want to gain lifelong skills, build a steady career, and create future employment opportunities. It is incredibly rewarding to mentor an apprentice, and the learning goes both ways. Supporting someone as they develop their confidence and ability is a privilege, and it reminds us how valuable fresh perspectives can be. 

Evie has made fantastic progress during the first two years of her course. I was delighted when she was selected as Employee of the Month during her first six months with us, as this reflected both her attitude to learning and her approach to work. She has developed strong interpersonal and professional skills, including communication, presentation, collaboration, teamwork, and problem solving. I particularly value her positive approach, respect for different perspectives, and flexibility, and I am excited to see how her career in digital marketing continues to grow.” 

Why choose a Degree Apprenticeship

Degree apprenticeships provide a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience while working towards a university qualification. For employers, they help develop future talent. For apprentices, they offer the chance to build professional skills, earn while they learn, and graduate with both a degree and significant industry experience. 

For Evie, the experience has been rewarding both personally and professionally:

“A degree apprenticeship has allowed me to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and achieve a degree while working in a supportive environment. It’s given me a clear pathway into my chosen career, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering their options after school or college.” 

For more information regarding apprenticeships at Encocam, please visit our careers page or contact our recruitment team directly at recruitment@encocam.com.