At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning visuals for marketing campaigns and support brand initiatives.
- Company: Join Sika UK's dynamic Marketing Team and unleash your creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and 25+ days holiday.
- Other info: Access extensive training and career development opportunities from day one.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience while working with leading brands in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for graphic design and eagerness to learn industry-standard software.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
An Exciting Challenge Awaits: As a Graphic Design Apprentice within Sika UK's Marketing Team, you will gain hands-on experience creating compelling visual content that supports all areas of the business. Working alongside experienced designers and marketers, you will contribute to campaigns across Sika's diverse markets, including Concrete, Waterproofing, Roofing, Flooring, Sealing & Bonding, Building Finishing, Engineered Refurbishment, distribution and Industry.
From product launches, digital marketing campaigns, brand transition and social media content to exhibitions, customer communications, internal branding and corporate events, you will have the opportunity to see your work used across a wide range of channels and audiences. This role offers a unique chance to develop your creative skills while working with market-leading brands, innovative technologies and some of the UK's most recognised construction and industrial solutions.
Purpose of the Role: As our Graphic Design Apprentice, you’ll be right at the heart of bringing our brand to life. You’ll support the delivery of exciting, integrated marketing campaigns, getting hands-on with concept ideas, content creation, and being a brand advocate. This is a chance to build real skills, boost brand awareness, and help engage customers, all while working in a dynamic, fast-paced team where your ideas truly matter.
- Develop creative artwork and visual content for digital, print, social media, exhibitions, events, advertising campaigns, and customer communications across all Sika business areas.
- Support the Graphic Designer and Marketing teams in producing brochures, flyers, presentations, infographics, packaging artwork, and promotional materials that bring the Sika brand to life.
- Work closely with product managers, marketers, and sales teams to create engaging visuals that promote market-leading products and solutions across construction and industry sectors.
- Assist with photography, video creation, editing, and motion graphics projects, helping to showcase Sika products, projects, events, and customer success stories.
- Contribute fresh creative ideas for marketing campaigns, social media activity, internal communications, and brand awareness initiatives.
- Help maintain brand consistency across all visual communications, ensuring materials align with Sika's corporate identity and design standards.
- Gain experience using industry-leading creative software and digital marketing tools while building a varied portfolio of real-world design projects.
- Support the planning and delivery of exhibitions, customer events, conferences, and roadshows by creating graphics, signage, promotional materials, and digital assets.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the UK business to understand project requirements and deliver creative solutions that meet business objectives.
- Play an active role in the day-to-day activities of the central Marketing Team, learning how design supports product launches, customer engagement, lead generation, and business growth.
The Rewards Await: We value our employees and offer a comprehensive rewards package, including:
- A competitive salary
- Holiday 25 days rising to 28 days with service, plus bank holidays
- Hybrid Working Core Hours
- A company pension contribution of up to 10%
- Private healthcare for you, with option to add family
- Group life cover at 6x your annual salary
- Global Income Protection (PHI)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Staff discount platform & Cycle to Work scheme
- Dedicated Service Awards for reaching key milestones
- Selected discounted Sika products
The Support You Deserve: At Sika, we believe in fostering collaborative and respectful working relationships. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside a diverse team of experts, both locally and globally, where knowledge sharing is encouraged and celebrated. From day one, you’ll have access to extensive personal and professional development opportunities, including local training, product knowledge sessions, and leadership development initiatives. All of this is strengthened by the global Sika Business School, giving you the tools and confidence to build a successful career.
As part of this apprenticeship, the successful candidate will be enrolled on the Creative digital design professional (integrated degree) (level 6) apprenticeship training course, combining practical experience at Sika with structured training to develop advanced creative, digital and design skills.
The Skills You Bring: We're looking for candidates who are passionate about delivering customer-first marketing campaigns. If you possess:
- Ideally 1–2 years’ experience in a marketing-related role
- A passion for graphic design, creativity, and visual storytelling, with a keen eye for detail and a desire to develop professionally.
- An interest in creating content across a variety of channels, including social media, websites, video, email marketing, print, exhibitions, and events.
- A willingness to learn industry-leading design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
- A positive, proactive attitude and enthusiasm for contributing ideas and supporting a busy, fast-paced marketing team.
- Good communication skills and the confidence to work with colleagues across different departments and business areas.
- An interest in photography, videography, animation, or digital content creation would be advantageous but is not essential.
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- A team player who enjoys collaborating with others while also being able to work independently when required.
- A genuine curiosity about marketing, branding, and design trends, with a desire to continually develop new skills and knowledge.
The Future Awaits: Join us and unlock a world of opportunities for career progression within a global company. Ready to Take the Leap? If you’re excited to make your mark in innovative marketing, both online and offline, and you’re driven by creativity and building brand awareness, we’d love to hear from you. Don't miss out on this chance to be part of a dynamic team driving change and growth at Sika!
We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role. Compensation is determined based on skills relevant to the position, education and/or training. We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Graphic Design Apprentice employer: Sika
Sika is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering a supportive work culture and opportunities for career progression within a global framework. With benefits such as 25 days of holiday and the flexibility of hybrid working, Sika fosters a balanced work-life environment, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow their careers while contributing to a dynamic team in Leeds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphic Design Apprentice
✨Get Creative with Your Portfolio
As a graphic design apprentice, your portfolio is your ticket to the door. Show off not just your best work, but also your process and thoughts behind each piece. Include a mix of personal projects, freelance gigs, or even class assignments that reflect your unique style and skills.
✨Join Design Communities
Jump into local or online graphic design communities. Sites like Behance, Dribbble, or even social media groups can be goldmines for networking. Plus, engaging with others in the field can lead to unexpected opportunities, like collaborative projects or even job leads directly from fellow designers.
✨Attend Workshops and Meetups
Stay active in the design scene by attending workshops and meetups in your area. Not only will you sharpen your skills, but you can also meet potential mentors or employers who might be looking for fresh talent. Keep an eye out for events specific to your interests, whether it’s UX design, branding, or illustration.
✨Apply Directly to Sika
Don't miss the chance to apply directly to Sika through our website. This gives you a solid shot at standing out. Craft a cover letter that reflects your enthusiasm for design and why you’re excited about the apprenticeship specifically with them—it shows you’ve done your homework!
We think you need these skills to ace Graphic Design Apprentice
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creativity:Since you’re diving into graphic design, make sure to include a portfolio that shines! This is where you can let your creativity flow, so include a variety of projects that showcase your skills, from logos to any digital illustrations you've created. Don’t forget to add brief descriptions of each piece to explain your thought process and what tools you used.
Tailor Your CV to Design:When crafting your CV, use a clean design that reflects your aesthetic sense—remember, you’re applying for a creative role! Highlight any design software you’re familiar with, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch, and emphasise any relevant coursework or projects. It’s all about making a strong visual impact that aligns with the graphic design world.
Express Your Passion in the Cover Letter:In your cover letter, we want to feel your enthusiasm for graphic design! Share why you’re excited about this apprenticeship at Sika and how you hope to learn and grow. Maybe mention a specific project or designer that inspires you, showing that you’re genuinely passionate about the field.
Be Prepared for a Possible Design Task:Sometimes, when applying for design roles, companies like Sika might ask you to complete a design task. This could be as simple as recreating a logo or creating a mock-up. So, be ready to demonstrate your skills and approach to problem-solving. It's a great chance to shine, so embrace the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sika
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
Bring a portfolio that truly reflects your style and creativity. We want to see not just your finished projects, but also your process—sketches, drafts, and iterations show how you think and create. Make sure it's well-organised and easy for your interviewers at Sika to flip through.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect a design task as part of the interview process! This could involve creating a quick mock-up or solving a design problem on the spot. Brush up on your Adobe skills and be ready to articulate your thought process while designing. It’s our chance to see how you tackle real-world challenges in graphic design.
✨Express Your Passion and Learning Attitude
As an apprentice, your eagerness to learn is just as important as your skills. Be prepared to talk about what you've been studying, projects you've worked on, and what areas of design truly excite you. Sika wants to see your enthusiasm for growth and willingness to absorb feedback.
✨Research Design Trends and Tools
Stay updated with the latest design trends and tools like Figma or Canva; being knowledgeable about industry standards will impress your interviewers. Discussing recent design innovations can show your genuine interest and understanding of the field, which will definitely help you stand out at Sika.
