Delivery is flexible to suit the individual apprentice and their employer. The apprentice will have a minimum of one tutorial per month either in person in the workplace or remotely via an online meeting. Group sessions may be available on some programmes.

• Individual employers will set the selection criteria. This might include GCSEs, A Levels, a Level 2 apprenticeship or other relevant qualifications, relevant experience and/or an aptitude test with a focus on functional Maths.
• Employers are likely to be looking for a proven passion for digital and social media.
• Level 2 Functional Skills must be achieved prior to end point assessment (this content will be blended into the apprentice's study programme if it is required).
• Apprentices must be employed in order to study for this qualification. Please see our Apprenticeship vacancies.
• The apprentice must be at least 16 years of age.

• Coding:
  • Understands the principles of coding.
• Marketing:
  • Understands and can apply basic marketing principles.
• Customers:
  • Understands and can apply the customer lifecycle and understands the role of customer relationship marketing.
• Campaigns: 
  • Understands how teams work effectively to deliver digital marketing campaigns and can deliver accordingly.
• Media strategies:
  • Understands the main components of Digital and Social Media Strategies.
• Understands the principles of all of the following specialist areas: 
  • Search marketing.
  • Search engine optimisation.
  • E-mail marketing.
  • Web analytics and metrics.
  • Mobile apps.
  • Pay-Per-Click.
  • How these can work together.
• Media platforms:
  • Understands the similarities and differences, including positives and negatives, of all the major digital and social media platforms.
• Business:
  • Understands and responds to the business environment and issues related to digital marketing and customer needs.
• Digital etiquette: 
  • Understands and follows digital etiquette.
• Digital platforms:
  • Understands how digital platforms integrate into the working environment.
• Security:
  • Understands and follows the required security levels necessary to protect data across digital and social media platforms.

• Written communication: 
  • Applies a good level of written communication skills for a range of audiences and digital platforms and with regard to the sensitivity of communication.
• Research: 
  • Analyses and contributes information on the digital environment to inform short and long-term digital communication strategies and campaigns.
• Technologies: 
  • Recommends and applies effective, secure and appropriate solutions using a wide variety of digital technologies and tools over a range of platforms and user interfaces to achieve marketing objectives.
• Data: 
  • Reviews, monitors and analyses online activity and provides recommendations and insights to others.
• Customer service: 
  • Responds efficiently to enquiries using online and social media platforms.
• Problem solving:
  • Applies structured techniques to problem solving.
  • Analyses problems and resolves issues across a variety of digital platforms.
• Analysis: 
  • Understands and creates basic analytical dashboards using appropriate digital tools.
• Implementation: 
  • Builds and implements digital campaigns across a variety of digital media platforms.
• Applies at least two of the following specialist areas: 
  • Search marketing
  • Search engine optimisation.
  • E-mail marketing.
  • Web analytics and metrics.
  • Mobile apps.
  • Pay-Per-Click.
• Digital tools:
  • Can use digital tools effectively.
• Digital analytics: 
  • Measures and evaluates the success of digital marketing activities.
• Interprets and follows:
  • The latest developments in digital media technologies and trends.
  • Marketing briefs and plans.
  • Company defined ‘customer standards’.
  • Industry good practice for marketing.
  • Also understands company, team or client approaches to continuous integration.
• Operate effectively: 
  • Can operate effectively in their own business’s, their customers’ and the industry’s environments.

• Logical and creative thinking skills.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and to take responsibility.
• Can use own initiative.
• A thorough and organised approach.
• Ability to work with a range of internal and external people.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• Maintain productive, professional and secure working environment.

Apprentices must achieve one of the following internationally recognised vendor or professional qualifications:

• MTA HTML 5 Application Development Fundamentals (98-375)
• CIW – Site Development Associate
• Google Squared
• CIM Level 3 Award in Digital Fundamentals
• Dot Native
• CIW – Internet Business Associate
• Google Analytics IQ
• CIW – Data Analytics
• CIW – Social Media Strategist

Individual employers will select which vendor or professional qualification the apprentice should take.

• Summative portfolio
• Synoptic project
• Employer reference
• Interview