A digital artist who opened an online business during lockdown has decided to develop her skills with an apprenticeship.
Serena Sole, 19, who studied fine art at A-level, developed her passion of art into an online business during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. This led to her deciding she wanted to work in the world of marketing, and after completing her studies at Ullswater College in Penrith, she discovered skills charity Inspira.
Serena said: “I never knew the number of options available to me if I didn’t want to go to university after college.
“When I researched apprenticeships it was like something clicked for me. I knew it was what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to go to university and sit in a classroom for another three years, I was keen to start working and learning on the job.”
Serena, of Calthwaite, spoke to friends and family about her options once college finished and she learned more about marketing as a career.
She said: “I realised that marketing is what I wanted to get into as it’s so varied, and will allow me to develop different skills.
“I found that Inspira was recruiting for a marketing apprenticeship so I applied straight away and started the job in October. I just knew it was the perfect choice for me. During my time with Inspira I have done web editing, copy writing, design work, and animation.”
Serena works at Inspira’s head office in Penrith and will begin a marketing course in the new year.
“It’s the perfect solution for me,” she said. “I just wish I’d known about Inspira sooner. I feel like I am one of their target audiences, so I have a bit of insight when it comes to what we are trying to achieve.”
Michelle Wiggins, Inspira’s marketing communication lead, said: “Serena is a delightful addition to the team. She’s very enthusiastic and talented. We are so glad that she has chosen to take up an apprenticeship where we can teach her the practical skills in the office and she can learn about the theory at college.”
Inspira works with employers and organisations across the north of England.
