Supporting the Future Generation @ Digital Next

Last week we said goodbye to one of our latest placement students, Cameron Fletcher. We now want to wish him well as he goes on to Edinburgh University to begin his studies. 

Cameron has become the latest addition in a long line of people that we have taken on board to develop for the benefit of the company and for their long-term careers. 

It has become part of our culture and reputation at Digital Next. Taking great pride in developing and nurturing talent within the company and across the wider community. 

Developing digital skills of the future workforce 

Each year we have tried to develop a culture of improvement by giving a chance to our new recruits, in whatever capacity they come in, to make a difference in the company.

We have great numbers now trained and developed through our DigitalNext academy through apprenticeships and more, across our core skills in multi-channel marketing, such as SEO, Web and software development, Google Adwords, and content. As well as taking on students for their summer placements from Staffordshire University to coincide with their studies.

On top of this, we have turned to presenting ceremonies such as GCSE certificate handouts. Talking with the students about the importance of belief and determination, and how combined with intelligence, anything can be achieved! 

“We are very thankful to Digital Next for giving us the opportunity for our students to spend time at a very high level learning about the present and future of digital marketing that I am 100% certain has opened their eyes to opportunity and improved their future career prospects.” – Robert Brierley Head of Careers Werneth School 

We provide work experience opportunities to allow enthusiastic students the chance to come and gain real-life work experience in an exciting and fast-paced digital marketing agency. Not just teaching them digital skills, like SEO, web dev, and more. But also allows them to develop their employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. All of which are vital assets for entering the world of work. 

We are proud to have been able to offer work experience placements to students from schools and colleges across the Manchester area, including Wilmslow, Werneth School, Oldham College and more. 

But it’s not just about work experience either!

For example, we asked one of our work experience students last year, if he could do anything, what would his dream be? 

His response – to do a few rounds with a professional boxer! 

Three days later, he was in the ring with John Murray, a former world and commonwealth champion at his Gym in Stockport.  

John himself is an entrepreneur and has carved out a future training prospective young boxers and fitness classes, so we have many links to ambition and success that by joining us at Digital Next the candidate can experience. 

Offering expertise to local and international businesses 

Not only do we offer work experience and support to colleges and schools, teaching students the basics. We have always placed training at the core of our business. 

Over the past few years, we have conducted many sessions for companies who wish to level up their skills in particular areas of digital marketing. For example, SEO training sessions for a wide variety of businesses. This has even seen a few members of the team jetting off to Italy and Las Vegas to train huge international companies. 

Digital Next Success Stories 

At Digital Next we are passionate about ensuring young people are given the opportunities to succeed in their careers and wider lives. Providing enriching experiences that allow them to learn from management, see the day-to-day of a professional team and gain first-hand learning with experts. By doing this we are cementing the first stepping stones on their career path. Providing them excellent training and insight for them to flourish and grow! 

Here are just some examples of how we have supported people to achieve BIG:  

• Offered training and progression to our teams from day one. Our first employee Chris Tipper, the former Cricketer, is now Head of Digital! 
• Nathan, who manages our Australia office in Melbourne, originally started out with us as a placement student. 
• We are proud to have employed 20 apprentices over 10 years
• Enabled 2 students from Oldham College to pass their Digital T level course with 10 weeks of work experience in a digital agency 
• Secured charitable partners helped raise money for projects and charitable work, including Greater Manchester Youth Network and Manchester Youth Zone, and Stockport Football Association, as well as many others.
• Supported local youth groups. For example, supporting a young football club by providing them the opportunity to visit Camp Nou in Barcelona and play on the incredibly famous pitch! 

“The support that Digital Next gave us was instrumental in giving the boys the ultimate experience of playing In Europe at the  Camp Nou.  All the lads felt like professional footballers and on behalf of all the boys & parents we would like to thanks Mark & Justin for their support with all the kit that Digital Next provided.” 

What’s next?  

As a company, we want to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs and put back what we have gained into the new economy over the next few years! 

We are already looking at other ways to support the local community, speaking with charities and youth groups to understand how we can work together to offer future generations plenty of incredible opportunities.  

As we continue to support the young people of Greater Manchester, we will be offering more work placements and opportunities across the Manchester area in the near future.