Businesses in Wales get social with leading UK online marketeer during National Apprenticeship Week

ACT welcomes former Head of Social Media at BBC One, Owen Williams, to talk about the benefits of investing in Digital Marketing, as the numbers applying for digital media apprenticeships in Wales continue to rise

Businesses have been getting social during National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2023 at an event held to highlight the benefits of investing in Digital Marketing, as the number of learners applying for digital marketing apprenticeships in Wales continues to rise.

Owen Williams, former Head of Social Media at BBC One, joined learners and marketing professionals at a special event held by leading training provider ACT at its head office in Cardiff, to talk about the art of ‘going viral’ online during this year’s NAW.

An experienced Digital and Social Media professional with over 20 years’ experience, the respected digital marketeer was also the editorial figurehead for the BBC Content Social (TV & iPlayer) division, leading the development and execution of BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, BBC Comedy, BBC iPlayer and BBC Masterbrand’s social media strategies.

At the ACT event, he highlighted the business benefits of investing in Digital Marketing, and helped businesses and learners gathered to think about their digital work and needs, and how they can grow in this area.

Pictures show Owen William, Richard Spear and business representatives attending the event.  Click to view larger imaged

Mr Williams, now Managing Director at social media marketing specialist Siml, told those gathered: “The ‘Holy Trinity’ of creating social media content that engages and inspires people is best defined as giving your followers information, helping to give them a better sense of identity and evoking an emotional reaction in them when they see what you are posting.”

“We are talking about globally borderless platforms where the potential reach for your personal or professional brand is absolutely massive, and where being accessible and engaging in the communities relevant to what you do, and in the conversations those groups of people are having, really can result in significant successes in business terms.”

As Wales’ leading provider of apprenticeships, ACT has seen a consistent uplift in the number of fully-funded digital courses it is now working to deliver across Wales in recent years.

The number of tutors recruited to its Digital Services Team has also expanded four-fold within that time, and now offers qualifications in Digital Marketing, Digital Learning Practitioners, Social Media for Business and Digital Application Support.

Richard Spear, Managing Director at ACT, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have secured such a high-profile, well respected digital marketeer to come and talk to our guests, and can’t thank Owen enough for his time. Owen highlighted the importance of social media in reaching new customers. Unfortunately, many businesses do not have the skills to use this key tool effectively and are therefore missing out on growth.”

“That’s why we are using National Apprenticeship Week to highlight the amazing opportunities available through the Welsh Government’s apprenticeship programme. Our digital marketing apprenticeship, for example, has helped learners embark on an exciting new career and supported businesses to achieve their potential.”

“As well as our fantastic Digital Services programmes we have a huge range of apprenticeship opportunities and would encourage employers to get in touch to find out how to take advantage of these highly effective, fully funded training programmes,” Richard added.

For more information on our apprenticeship programme or digital qualifications, visit acttraining.org.uk