Fostering Diversity and Innovation; The JD Group Apprenticeship Case Study

Hello, I'm Grace, a senior stylist with the JD Group. I have received a lot of support from Apprentify. This was our first experience with the program, so during the initial stages, we sat down together and went through everything, discussing expectations. I had a really good relationship with Seren's mentor, and it was comforting to know that I could reach out to them via email or phone whenever I had questions.

Since this was new to me, I was in a learning phase, and she guided me through the process. It has been a pleasant journey. I believe it's the best way to learn, especially for creative individuals who thrive through hands-on experiences. This apprenticeship offers that opportunity. Every apprentice who has been through the studio seems genuinely grateful to be here. It serves as a springboard and a fast track for them to enter the industry while receiving guidance. At the same time, they have the freedom to figure things out for themselves. This apprenticeship provides them with valuable opportunities. Many of our apprentices have stayed within the business and learned from a pool of creative talents, acquiring skills they wouldn't have gained through other routes. It's beneficial both for them and for us.

Having millennials and Gen Zs working with us gives us a different perspective. They bring their knowledge of platforms like TikTok, which is something we might have been missing. We learn from them, and having insights from different perspectives is truly valuable for us.

It has all happened organically. We have been fortunate to work with passionate individuals and witness their growth. It's incredibly rewarding. The program has been successful, and we have seen progress and development. That, to me, is highly inspiring. If someone is considering working with Apprentify, my advice would be to go for it. It has become an integral part of the JD Group, and I believe this is just the beginning. We will continue to grow, learn, and strive to enhance the apprenticeship experiences each time.

My name is Seren McGeachy. I work for JD, and my apprenticeship was as a junior content producer. Through the apprenticeship, I have met many good friends and gained numerous new skills. When I started the apprenticeship, I had very little knowledge about working in a studio or being part of a creative team. However, everyone at JD is supportive and wants you to succeed. It's a great teamwork environment.

The most valuable thing I've learned is immersing myself in a studio and creative environment, understanding how a real workplace functions and comes together. This is something you can't necessarily learn from college or university alone. You need to actively involve yourself in that kind of environment to truly understand it. It's the most valuable takeaway from the apprenticeship.

You're working, getting paid, and learning all at the same time, which is an opportunity unlike any other route. So, I would say go for it. You'll experience significant personal growth, and it will be in the right direction. Apprentify has been great throughout. The teaching was excellent, and my coach, Rachel, was incredibly supportive. I could reach out to her via phone or email, and she would respond within two minutes. She always helped me and made sure I was doing well. They provided great support throughout the entire experience, both academically and personally.

I genuinely believe that apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity. They offer a fast track into the industry you want to be a part of. If an opportunity comes up, seize it. The apprenticeship has equipped me with all the skills I need for my dream job.