WHY TRIBERA INVESTED £1,000’S IN MARKETING ACADEMY FOR MIDLANDS TALENT
The Academy by Tribera - The initiative the Midlands marketing scene has been calling for
2025 marked the prestigious launch of The Academy by Tribera (yes, que the confetti). Providing university students a real-world introduction to marketing, The Academy aims to help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the marketing industry in modern times.
The initiative, designed to bridge the gap between academic study and industry expectations, intends to support the wider creative ecosystem in the West Midlands. Through a tailored six-week programme, we’re focusing on nurturing the next generation of local talent, offering dynamic experiences, practical training, and access to real client briefs.
But why are we doing this? We spoke to our co-founder, Dré Picart, regarding his motivations to launch The Academy…
Bridging the gap between education and real-world marketing
Speaking on the divide between academic learning and real-world marketing jobs, Dré, comments:
“There's a real divide between what's taught in lecture halls, and what's expected in a fast-paced marketing environment. University lays the groundwork, but stepping into your first agency role is a whole new game. From managing deadlines across multiple clients, to knowing how (and when) to push back on a quote or brief, there's a lot no one tells you until you're already in the deep end.
“That's one of the core reasons we've launched The Academy by Tribera. Each year, we will open our doors to local students in Birmingham because we know the leap from classroom to campaign can feel massive. Our initiative will share what it's really like to juggle competing priorities, deliver under pressure, and work collaboratively across creative, content, and strategy. And we'll cover the things left out of textbooks, like how to quote with confidence, push your ideas, and bring personality to your pitch.
“We want to be responsible for building the next generation of creative talent in Brum. So, we're giving students the tools, the confidence, and the head start they need to land and excel in their first marketing role.”
Giving back to the marketing community
Midlands born and bred, Dré comments on why giving back to the local community is important:
“Birmingham's creative scene is booming, but we've got a responsibility to nurture the talent that will keep it thriving. Too many brilliant graduates leave the West Midlands for London because they don't see the opportunities here. But, we want to change that narrative, by showing them what's possible when you do stay local.
“The Academy by Tribera isn't just about our business, it's about strengthening the entire Brummie marketing ecosystem. When we develop work-ready professionals who understand the industry inside out, everyone benefits. Local agencies get better candidates, brands get stronger campaigns, and Birmingham gets recognised as a serious creative hub.
“We've learned so much from this industry, and now it's time to pass that knowledge on. By investing in the next generation, we're not just giving back, we're building the community we want to be part of.”
Solving the nationwide skills shortage in digital marketing
Speaking beyond the Midlands, Dré, comments:
“Let's be honest, there's a massive skills gap in digital marketing right now. Businesses are crying out for people who can actually do the work, not just talk about it. We're hearing the same thing from businesses across Birmingham: ‘We don't hire graduates; we hire people with two years' experience.’ But where's that experience supposed to come from?”
“The Academy tackles this head-on by teaching the practical skills that employers actually need. We're covering everything from setting up Google Ads campaigns and creating native social content that converts, to understanding SEO audits and building digital PR strategies that get results. These aren't theoretical exercises – they're real projects with live briefs from actual clients.
“We're teaching students how to use the platforms they'll work with every day: Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics, Canva, and all the tools that separate someone who can "do marketing" from someone who can deliver measurable results. By the time they finish our six-week programme, they'll have a portfolio of work that proves they can hit the ground running.”
Creating a new standard of entry to the workplace
Commenting on the wider industry issues graduates face, Dré notes:
“The traditional graduate-to-employment pipeline is broken. Students spend three years learning marketing theory, then struggle to find anyone willing to give them that crucial first break. Meanwhile, businesses complain they can't find talent that's ready to contribute from day one.
“We're creating a different path. The programme gives students real agency experience before they even apply for jobs. They'll work on live campaigns, present to clients, manage deadlines, and learn how to collaborate across departments. They'll understand what it feels like when a campaign goes live, how to handle feedback, and what it means to be accountable for delivering value.
“This isn't just work experience, its real practice in how modern marketing works. Students graduate with industry certifications, a portfolio of tangible work, and the confidence that comes from knowing they can deliver. We're raising the bar for what it means to be "job-ready" in our industry.”
Shaping the kind of talent we want to hire
Acknowledging the Tribe’s long-term investment, Dré, comments:
“Here's the thing, we're not just training students for other people to hire. We're investing in the future of our own team. The Academy lets us spot exceptional talent early and nurture it in our way of working.
“We believe creativity comes from unexpected places, and Birmingham is certainly full of untapped potential. By working closely with local universities and bringing students into our world, we're building relationships with the people who might become our next top strategist, creative, or account director.
“But even if our academy graduates go on to work elsewhere - and many will - they'll carry forward the standards we've instilled. They'll know what good looks like, they'll demand better from themselves and their colleagues, and they'll contribute to raising the quality of work across the entire Birmingham creative scene. That's a win for everyone.”
Want to get involved?
If you’re interested in partnering with the Academy by Tribera, or be part of our next cohort of students, please visit The Academy by Tribera, or drop us an email for more details - [email protected]. Or, find out more about the Tribe’s work.
