Having recently launched their digital hub in the heart of Aycliffe Business Park with the vision to optimise the potential of local talent, Optimum Skills are reaping the rewards of their successes by offering one of their own trainees, Mia Baldwin, an exciting opportunity to work within their marketing team.
Mia, 17, from Darlington, has recently embarked on six weeks of work experience with Kayleigh Lowdon, digital marketing executive for Optimum Skills while on her traineeship, with a view to learning different aspects of the role and will be interviewed for the content creator apprenticeship vacancy.
One of the first tasks for Mia is to utilise her copywriting skills, so we’re shining the spotlight on her with an interview for Aycliffe Business to talk about how she came to be on Optimum’s traineeship programme that supports 16–18-year-olds to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience needed to progress into an apprenticeship.
What were you doing prior to the Digital Skills Traineeship?
Mia: “I’d just left school, Wyvern Academy, in 2023 after completing my GCSEs and was unsure on what to do next. No college courses were sparking a particular interest to me, I started looking into apprenticeships and traineeships and found the digital skills traineeship with Optimum Skills.”
What made you choose the Digital Skills Traineeship?
Mia: “I was interested in digital marketing and content creation; it sounded like something I would enjoy. I wanted to learn more, so I applied and was invited to a welcome session with my parents. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful; the welcome session was informative; they answered all the questions I had.”
Trainee Mia Baldwin (centre) at Optimum Skills in Aycliffe with digital marketing executive Kayleigh Lowdon and digital skills tutor Jo Elgie.
What makes Optimum Skills different to college or sixth form?
Mia: “It doesn’t feel like you’re learning in a classroom. You get to experience what it’s like in a real workplace. From day one, the tutors made sure we all behaved appropriately as we were learning in a real place of work.”
What skills and knowledge did you gain on the Traineeship?
Mia: “I gained lots of digital skills, I used Office 365 and was introduced to websites like Canva. The course included digital marketing strategies, social media for business, website creation and online safety. I also learnt how to do basic tasks on the computer I wasn’t taught in school.”
How will the digital skills training you’ve received support your ambitions?
Mia: “A lot of jobs use digital technology now, I was specifically interested in digital marketing and content creation, which I learnt lots about during the traineeship, that will support my ambitions.”
What would you say to other young people looking to get into a digital career?
Mia: “I would say to go for it, I have enjoyed my time on the traineeship, and I have learnt many useful skills. It has helped me decide what I want to do in my future.”
What are you most hoping to get out of your work experience?
Mia: “I’m hoping to put the skills I have learnt so far into practice and to learn more. I am also hoping to see what it’s like day to day in the workplace and hoping to move onto an apprenticeship with Optimum Skills.”
Comment from tutor, Jo
“Mia is a very reserved but determined young lady. She is focused, independent in learning and embraces the process. She has quickly developed her knowledge and skills in the basics of Digital Marketing. She is a blossoming content creator and is eager to explore the landscape of digital creativity. She has potential for success and will flourish with guidance.”
To learn more about the digital skills opportunities provided by Optimum Skills, call 01325 311832 or email Darcy at [email protected]