Your're hired! Cushman & Wakefield takes on its first apprentice10th December 2012

Birmingham-based Cushman & Wakefield has heeded the call for firms to create more apprenticeships by creating its first ever apprentice position.

The company has taken on marketing student Leigh Brown for 12 months, during which time she will work on a number of projects being carried out to boost the number of shoppers visiting various shopping malls in Birmingham.

Leigh, 21, from Saltley, is currently helping to raise the profile of three of Cushman & Wakefield’s major retail clients in the city, Great Western Arcade, Broadway Plaza, and The Square.

“My tasks include social media, updating the website, blogging, management of our competitions, retailer liaison, supporting our tenants with their marketing activity and the management of the creative initiatives for the three sites I work at.

“Most recently, I have managed the creative process for Great Western Arcade’s Christmas campaign, which consists of a Facebook banner, posters, kissing patches on the floor and a gift guide. At Broadway Plaza I am managing the creative process for our hoardings and I’m about to draft an advertising brief for the centre. Finally, at The Square, I am about to embark on a campaign of Christmas giveaways via Facebook.”

Leigh originally intended to study journalism and photography at university, but was put off by the eye-watering tuition fees involved.

Without a degree, she decided an apprenticeship might be the best way forward, and after a lengthy period searching for an opening, came across the Cushman & Wakefield vacancy online.

“It appealed to me as it was a marketing apprenticeship - I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw it, they’re so sparse - but also because it wasn’t banal and mono-task, which is what all the others appeared to be.”

After beating off stiff competition for the post, Leigh is now enjoying life in the world of work, and already looking forward to using the opportunity to progress up the career ladder.

“I want to use this marketing apprenticeship to expose myself to the subject and its sub-disciplines as much as possible, so that I can make a informed and focused decision as to the exact role I want,” she said.

“What I do I know is that I want to be where all the action is happening, and I want to be able to contribute to it - I don’t plan on being in a junior role forever and I will always be keen to progress.”

Ross McCall, Head of Retail Commercialisation at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “We decided we would our bit to help tackle youth unemployment and the apprenticeship we have created will be an opportunity to work on some exciting projects and experience the world of property.

“Leigh has already proved to have been a very refreshing addition to our team, and has brought a modern and progressive way of thinking to our marketing efforts on behalf of our retail clients.”