Lancashire Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing

Bootcamp Overview

This 12-week intensive bootcamp equips you with essential digital marketing skills to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced environment. Led by industry experts with real-world experience, the programme offers practical tips, case studies, and actionable insights to help you apply what you learn directly to your business or career.

Key Information

  • Duration: 12 weeks (Starting end Jun 2025 date TBC)
  • Format: Online via Zoom (one in-person session in Blackpool on date TBC, also accessible online).
  • Schedule: Twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am–1pm).
  • Total Learning Hours: 72 hours of guided learning plus 3 hours of 1:1 mentoring.

Who Is This Course For?

This bootcamp is perfect for beginners or those without formal marketing training who have a strong motivation to learn AND apply their knowledge. It’s tailored for:

  • Freelancers and Small Business Owners: Build the skills to grow your online presence and drive your business forward.
  • Employees in Smaller Businesses: Transition into marketing-focused roles with confidence. Co-funded places are available for eligible candidates.
  • Aspiring Business Owners: Start strong with the marketing skills needed to launch your business.

Applications are also welcome from those with limited marketing experience who are considering a career change, assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Study Modules

  • Market Research & Strategy: Develop marketing strategies aligned with your goals through market analysis and customer profiling.
  • Branding: Build trust and recognition with consistent, professional visuals created using Canva.
  • Websites: Understand different content management systems, manage them effectively, and measure performance using GA4.
  • Organic Social Media: Learn social media management, content planning, and tools like Canva to create engaging posts, videos, and podcasts.
  • Paid Social: Run and optimise campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, understand targeting, and track key metrics.
  • SEO: Master keyword research, content strategies, search rankings, and Digital PR for backlinks and media coverage.
  • Conversion Rate Optimisation: Improve website performance through analytics and page optimisation.
  • Email Marketing: Use email tools to segment audiences, plan campaigns, and drive results.
  • AI Tools: Explore the latest affordable AI tools for small businesses, helping you streamline and scale your marketing efforts.
  • Interview and Employment Support: For job seekers, 1:1 sessions will focus on CV building, job applications, and interview preparation.

Homework and Accountability

This is a hands-on course, and progress depends on the work you put in outside of lessons.

After each session, you’ll set goals tailored to your business stage or job search. These goals will form part of your action plan.

  • Self-Employed/Business Owners/Startups/Employees: Homework will focus on applying what you’ve learned to your business.
  • Job Seekers: Homework will involve CVs, job applications, and interview preparation.

You must dedicate at least two hours per week to jobseeking or updating and implementing your action plan. Regular check-ins will ensure progress, and places on the course are conditional on demonstrating that progress.

Please only apply if you can commit to the required time and effort.

Why Choose This Bootcamp?

  • Practical Curriculum: Designed by industry experts, covering everything from SEO and social media to branding and AI tools.
  • Real-World Insights: Learn directly from experienced professionals using proven strategies.
  • Personalised Support: 1:1 mentoring tailored to your needs, whether you’re building a business or job hunting.
  • Funded by the Department for Education: Free for eligible individuals (including sole traders), or heavily subsidised for small businesses (Ltd companies) at £270 + VAT.

Eligibility

You must:

  • Be aged 19 or over
  • Have the right to work in the UK
  • Live in Lancashire

Limited Places – Apply Now!

Applications are now open for the June 2025 cohort. There are only 15 funded places available, so we recommend applying early to secure yours. If you’re successful at interview, we’ll hold your place – but there’s no commitment until you sign the course agreements closer to the start date.

Application Process

First of all, you must watch our 15 minute video about the bootcamp program. Please note the dates refer to the cohort that has just started and won’t be updated until the next course dates are confirmed – although the expected start date is around the end of June.  If you wish to apply, we’ll ask you to record a short video* application introducing yourself and answering some questions about you, any previous experience, and your term business/career goals.

Please don’t worry about being “professional” – we just want to get to know you and what interests you about digital marketing.

This part of application should take 10-15 minutes maximum.  The video will explain the next steps.

* if you really don’t want to record a video application, we have a written alternative. Please email nicola@skillsbootcamp.co.uk for further information.