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Gr8 newz? ‘Revolutionary’ Manchester social media apprenticeship defies dropping Facebook figures

By Matt Scrafton

Facebook may be shipping millions of users, but social media remains a significant driving force for modern culture and businesses – and one company is now offering apprenticeships in how to use it.

Juice Academy, said to be a ‘revolutionary’ scheme, begins this June and offers students the key skills needed to excel in social media.

The programme, run by Manchester firm Tangerine PR, is among the latest of a number of industry apprenticeships looking to guide young people into digital jobs.

Project co-ordinator Lucy Adams said: “The programme will not only serve to create much needed jobs for young people but will fill an industry-wide skills gap by training young professionals in the practical application of social media.”

In March, Prime Minister David Cameron said apprenticeships would be the ‘new norm’ for school leavers who decide against going to university.

With thousands of young people deciding against university in the wake of tuition fee hikes, apprenticeships are a credible alternative.

Tangerine PR will employ a number of industry experts and special guest speakers to train apprentices in all elements of social media.

The programme will see successful applicants working full-time with leading companies from across the North West, learning the key theoretical and practical skills.

Earlier this week, a data analysis company called Socialbakers were said to have released research which suggested that Facebook had lost 1.4million UK visitors in just one month.

The findings would suggest that Facebook popularity is dwindling, however the firm said their study was intended to give numbers to advertisers, rather than show usage.

Today, half of the UK’s population are logged on to Zuckerberg’s brain-child, which is evidence of its potential impact on both new and established business.

The leader of the Tangerine PR apprentice programme, Anna Wilson, said the use of industry experts will make the scheme relevant to today’s environment.

She said: “We’re encouraging businesses and apprenticeship candidates to step forward and be part of the Juice Academy.

“It will provide great benefits for all the parties involved, and the chance to be part of something that’s revolutionary in the industry.”

For more information about the apprenticeship, visit www.juiceacademy.co.uk or email [email protected] to find out more.

Picture courtesy of moneyblognewz, via Flickr, with thanks.

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