Integrated marketing agency Plinkfizz is gearing up its workforce – and helping close Staffordshire’s skills gap – thanks to an ambitious work experience commitment that is leading to employment.
During 2023 it funded 50 work experience placements, with students spending time in digital marketing, graphic design, PR and website support.
Such has been the success of Plinkfizz’s long-standing commitment to young people within the region that several have been kept on with extended placement offers – or even given full-time jobs.
More than 350 hours were dedicated to the young interns – reflecting the Stoke-on-Trent-based agency’s pledge in 2022 to offer placements within each department of its business.
It comes at a time when Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is highlighting the vital role businesses can play in talent development to help plug the widening skills gap reported in the Local Skills Improvement Plan for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Marketing Executive, Ella Parsonage, 22, joined Plinkfizz for a summer work experience placement in June 2022.
In September 2022 she was offered a part-time job alongside studying for her degree in International Business Management at Keele University.
Once Ella graduated, she had made such an impact with her enthusiasm and knowledge that she was offered a full-time role. In January 2024, Ella was promoted from Graduate Marketer to Marketing Executive.
She said: “It was a massive opportunity for me to secure a graduate job role when I finished university as there aren’t a lot of opportunities out there for post-grads.”
Account Manager, Laura Edwards, 25, came to Plinkfizz for a two-week placement in June 2018 and was offered a part-time position the following month. When she graduated from Staffordshire University with a degree in Advertising and Brand Management in May 2019, Laura joined Plinkfizz full time as a Digital Marketing Executive.
She has worked her way up, progressing to Marketing Account Manager in just five years.
Laura said: “Plinkfizz offered me a huge amount of support during my degree and gave me lots of on-the-job experience to build my skills and confidence.”
Meanwhile Olivia Brown, Business Management and Marketing student from Keele University, has been given an ongoing work placement every Friday for her next term after making a big impression during her work experience.
Plinkfizz Managing Director Fiona Hawkins said: “It’s great to see the fresh, enthusiastic talent that we have in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and I’m proud that Plinkfizz is able to help them get on the career ladder.”
