Marketing apprentice case study - 2
Laura Croxson is a Marketing Executive at the RNLI. She recently completed her two year marketing apprenticeship with the charity.
‘The apprenticeship was fantastic, and I would say doing the apprenticeship is the best decision I’ve ever made.’
‘My apprenticeship at the RNLI provided me with so many different development opportunities. It was fantastic to be able to work in a variety of different teams within marketing during my apprenticeship: I had the opportunity to work in account management, marketing, retail, innovation and public relations. Everyone was always willing to help, and the RNLI gave me real projects and responsibilities throughout my two year apprenticeship. Working across so many different teams has enabled me to develop my skills and relations across the organisation. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped build my confidence.
‘I finished my apprenticeship at the RNLI in October last year, and started my current role at the RNLI as a Marketing Executive three days later. I found the transition between roles really easy: a real positive of my apprenticeship was that I was managing my own projects and given real responsibilities. So when it came to me finishing my apprenticeship and starting my new job as a Marketing Executive, I already had the skills I needed as I was doing things I’d learnt and worked on during my apprenticeship. The variety of experience I gained during my apprenticeship was really useful as it gave me real on-the-job examples to put on the job application and to talk about during interviews.
‘For A-Levels, I studied History, English Literature and an Art Diploma, which I chose because I enjoyed them. I found they helped with my apprenticeship as they gave me a good grounding in meeting deadlines, taking on responsibility, independent study, and basic IT skills. When I finished my A-Levels, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I took a job as a graphic designer. Before someone told me about the marketing apprenticeship at the RNLI, I’d never considered an apprenticeship before as it felt like university had to be the only route. This apprenticeship at the RNLI was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss, so I applied and was successful. I think an apprenticeship is a fantastic option because you learn a range of skills on the job, you gain qualifications, and you’re getting paid to do it.
‘There are three new apprentices in marketing now, as well as others in different areas of the organisation. It’s really lovely seeing them start their journey and knowing that they’re going to learn and experience the same things I did, as I had such a fantastic experience. There are so many support networks to help you as an apprentice at the RNLI, and I’ve also taken on an unofficial mentoring role as sometimes the new marketing apprentices want to have a chat with someone who has been through it all and knows what it’s like.
‘For anyone who is thinking about doing an apprenticeship I would say just go for it! If you’re unsure whether you want to go to university, then an apprenticeship is a great route in to your chosen career. The RNLI is a great place to work, and doing this apprenticeship was the best decision I’ve ever made. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My apprenticeship at the RNLI really helped to build my skills and my confidence.’
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.