IAB launches apprenticeship scheme

‘IAB Accelerate’, which is run in partnership with American Apprenticeships Work (AAW), starts in January 2022 and aims to offer data analyst apprenticeships.

The apprenticeship programme is open to all organisations, and apprenticeships will last around a year, focused on on-the-job training and building skills and competencies.

IAB said that it hoped the scheme would address diversity in the workforce and help employers find qualified talent in advertising technology, digital media and marketing.

Jessalin Lam has been hired as vice-president, member development and diversity, to lead IAB’s work on professional development and addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) challenges.

Prior to joining IAB, Lam was precision marketing academy director at TBWA\Worldwide, where she led a global employee training programme for car manufacturer Nissan’s internal and agency teams.

She also worked at the American Association of Advertising Agencies and is the co-founder of Asians in Advertising.

Sheryl Goldstein, executive vice-president member engagement and development at IAB, said: “Jessalin is a seasoned learning and development leader, DEI champion, and mentor with more than a decade of experience across learning and development, DEI, marketing, partnerships, business development, and consulting.

“Jessalin’s desire to cultivate learning cultures and empower people to thrive and seize their potential, is an excellent asset to lead IAB’s mission of helping to shape a more inclusive digital advertising industry.”

Lam said: “We are committed to making a measurable impact on our industry’s representation and future of leadership.

“With the launch of IAB Accelerate, we are offering members the opportunity to create a more diverse talent force across the industry that will help lead us into the future of digital advertising.”