Ogilvy UK lights up The Pipe apprenticeship scheme

Ogilvy UK is tapping into National Apprenticeship Week with the 2022 launch of its apprenticeship scheme, The Pipe, which aims to provide accessible routes to employment in the creative industries, while championing all forms of creativity and diversity.

Having started in 2016, the scheme is named after founder David Ogilvy’s ubiquitous smoking pipe and is now open to applicants looking for account management roles, regardless of background or qualifications.

Successful “Pipers” are paid the London Living Wage throughout their two-year training and there is no degree or experience requirement.

Candidates have until Sunday (February 13) to apply for the scheme via an online portal. Applications are assessed and reviewed blind by a panel of Ogilvy colleagues and shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview or assessment day (consisting of an interview, presentation and group work).

The Pipe is a two-year programme combining hands-on experience with study time. The chosen apprentices will receive offsite training – delivered in partnership with government accredited training providers – as well as tutors, workshops and 1:1 coaching. Apprentices will be working closely with different teams on client briefs, while also working towards a Level 3 qualification – equivalent to two A-Levels.

Since launch, Ogilvy has taken on 45 apprentices, across consulting, strategy, data, finance, production and people, with over half from ethnic minority backgrounds. In 2018, it hired 90% of apprentices for permanent jobs.

Ogilvy hopes to open applications for additional roles in consulting and strategy later in the year.

The agency’s head of learning and development Lauren Mollyneaux-Brown said: “To be the strongest and most successful industry that we can be, we must ensure we attract and retain the best talent and creatives from all backgrounds.

“Whilst Covid has impacted a large number of these schemes, we are proud to have been able to offer virtual tutoring and sessions during this time, which we will continue to do in 2022.

“Over the last six years, our apprenticeship scheme has opened up opportunities for young people across the country who might otherwise never have considered entering our industry. Many of these people are now enjoying fruitful careers in the industry or even at Ogilvy.”