So, you are an employer, looking to hire an event apprentice? Read on…

Why an events apprentice?

  • You are a company who does events. These could be events for others or for your own company.
  • You are ready to bring in new talent or further develop from within.
  • Finding, developing, and then keeping the best people has always been a challenge – more so post-pandemic and Brexit. You want a solution that works.
  • In-person and virtual training throughout the programme, the coaching, the assessment process, and the award of a nationally recognised qualification costs your company almost nothing. Nada. Zip. Rien.
  • Yes, you read that right. At most, you may have to pay 5% of the £9 000 training cost: that’s £450 and an outstanding return on your investment.
  • The good news … the UK government national apprentice scheme pays for the “learn while you earn” training. You pay your employee apprentice to work. We provide the events training through our proven 18-month certification programme.
  • Your apprentice works for you from Day 1, contributing to your business while spending ~ 20% of their time dedicated to learning.

The Realise Events Apprenticeship Programme creates a fantastic opportunity for you to develop events-trained people who best fit* your organisation.

*Research shows that apprentices are far more loyal to their employer. You benefit from skilled employees who really understand your business and appreciate you investing in their growth.

Let’s talk

Who can be an apprentice?

Almost anyone can be an apprentice.

  • Your events apprentice can be a new hire or an existing employee ready to grow. We can help you identify candidates.
  • There’s no age limit. We recommend a minimum of at least 18.
  • Someone who is curious, pays attention to details, eager to do what it takes – and has a healthy sense of humour – these are the attributes most events professionals have in common.
  • We recommend your apprentice has passed their GCSE in Mathematics and English. 90% of our apprentices have their GCSEs before starting the programme. Support is available to help the candidate complete these if needed.
  • An apprentice can be a graduate if their degree isn’t in the events discipline. For example, meet Victoria Perry.
  • Their employment contract with you needs to cover at least the length of the apprenticeship programme – 18 months.
  • They live in the UK with the ability to travel to six in-person workshops in or near London and participate in virtual workshops.
Let’s talk

How do we get started?

Easiest thing you’ll do today. Let’s talk. Start with hello@realise.me.uk.

Decided to read a bit more?

We would love to work with you and develop your apprentices. We’ll learn about your company and walk you through next steps.

You’ll need a job description that specifies it is an apprenticeship. You’ll need to find candidates – the government apprenticeships site helps and we can promote your post through our social media Then you choose a provider (us, of course!) to deliver the apprenticeship element. Various forms need to be completed, though it’s not an onerous process, especially if you choose the right provider.

We know exactly how to help you begin with the least amount of effort.

Let’s talk … hello@realise.me.uk

    If you’re still not convinced – obviously, we’re bound to say great things about the programme – listen to employer and apprentice success stories here.

    Or, read on about why the Realise Event Apprenticeship Programme is the best choice … and then we can talk …

     

    • First, we love events. It’s in our DNA.
    • We saw a need for hands-on training, provided in an affordable way, and Realise founders David Preston and Richard John were instrumental in creating and launching an events-specific apprenticeship programme.
    • We will meet you and your apprentice in person. We believe success stems from our three-way agreement – between apprentice, employer and Realise. We provide all necessary support.
    • Another factor in our success rate is we continue to work conferences and exhibitions around the globe. The apprentices love the fact that we underpin the theory with real-life examples.
    • We have graduated more qualified events apprentices than all the other providers combined. Some employers are on their third or fourth apprentice with us.
    Let’s talk

    What will my apprentice learn?

    • Your apprentice learns about your company from you. They are like any other employee in terms of what you expect and how you manage them. You write the job description (we can help). In fact, the term apprentice need only appear in the formal paperwork and nowhere else.
    • Your apprentice learns about the events industry and what it takes to be a successful professional through our proven 18-month programme for the “Event Assistant, Level 3” Standard. You can read the full description here.
    • Each apprentice is partnered with a Realise Coach to create a comprehensive, personalised ‘route map’ through the programme. The Coach also meets with the apprentice’s manager throughout the programme, so progress is relevant and coordinated.
    • The government’s official guidance is that an apprentice spends 20% of their time on ‘off the job’ activities. On average, it’s about 7-8 hours a week learning. This time might be with Realise at a workshop, or in the workplace completing a learning unit.
    • Your apprentice will join other event apprentices in person and virtually for scheduled workshops covering topics from venues to VAT, business, marketing, relationship building, and more. (Bonus is the network they build with other apprentices in their class.)
    • In addition to coursework and workshops, after around 12 months, there is a meeting between employer, Realise, and the apprentice where the evidence created over that time is reviewed. This is called the ‘gateway’ meeting. Next, the apprentice works on a project, usually a ‘live’ event. When that is completed, both portfolio and project are submitted to an external assessor. They will then organise an hour-long interview, known as the End Point Assessment (EPA). The portfolio and project account for 25% of the marks each, and the EPA the other 50%.
    • The apprentice will achieve a certificate of completion – roughly equivalent to two A Levels – with a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. 70% of our graduates have achieved Merit or Distinction.
    • The in-person workshops are held at various venues for hands-on experience.
    • You will need to budget for their technology needs to do coursework and to join the virtual workshops. There are also minimal travel expenses for the in-person workshops.
    Let’s talk

    Success Stories:

    Don’t take our word for it. You can find genuine feedback from employers and apprentices here.

    Layla Warfield

    Layla Warfield

    “The apprentices we’ve had … it’s on-the-job-training. We’re moulding them into the perfect teammates.”

    Read More
    Victoria Perry

    Victoria Perry

    “I’ve been with Harrow … five years … and have worked up the ladder. I was apprentice, then became an Assistant, a Coordinator, a Senior Events Coordinator, and now I’m Events and Tours Manager.”

    Read More
    Muminah Rasul

    Muminah Rasul

    “The best part about doing an apprenticeship is the experience that you gain from actually doing the role and getting stuck right in. For me, this was the best way to learn.”

    Read More
    Daisy King

    Daisy King

    “It’s definitely given me more confidence and the key skills in event organizing, and also the basics of how to run an event.”

    Read More

    Useful Resources: