DMA woos young guns with student membership plan

DMA Talent, the trade body’s division which champions the young, is stepping up its efforts to get the youth of today to consider a career in the data-driven marketing industry by launching a new Student Membership package to help them improve their employment prospects.

With impact of coronavirus on businesses likely to be felt for many years, it is feared that the job prospects for the next generation of talent will be hit the hardest.

These concerns were reinforced in the Aquent 2021 salary guide, which exposed a “junior job market crisis” as Covid-19 has triggered a hiring freeze for industry newcomers. Instead, employers are on the hunt for candidates that can “hit the ground running” and need less support and training.

The DMA Student Membership is designed to lure this generation to the marketing industry and will offer students and apprentices 24/7 access to online learning platforms, exclusive networking opportunities, and what the organisation claims will be a “head start” for forging a successful career in the sector.

DMA Talent general manager Kate Burnett said: “The bright young minds of tomorrow will play a vital role in helping businesses get back on track after such challenging times. Our Student Membership will help emerging talent to transition from education to employment by equipping them with the mind and skillsets to thrive in the creative industries.

“Student members will be offered limitless opportunities to network and build on knowledge gained during studies or workplace apprenticeships, improving their future employment prospects. It really demonstrates to employers a commitment to professional development.”

Through the online learning platform, DMA Talent insists users will be able navigate the content to help sharpen skills; choose what to study and what to learn to boost know-how; and book onto events and digital experiences that will help them grow a professional network and build new relationships that could be crucial to landing their first job in the industry.

DMA managing director Rachel Aldighieri commented: “A key reason for developing this offering is to ensure that the creative industries are accessible and inclusive for a diverse talent pool.

“In order for our industry to better serve the customer, it is vital that the workforce is truly representative of them – something that’s front and central to the DMA ethos. The DMA represents Europe’s largest community of data-driven marketers, with a classroom to boardroom perspective we want to build long-term relationships with data and marketing professionals for the duration of their careers.”