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Apprenticeships

Programme overview

The PRCA apprenticeship is for the PR & Comms Assistant standard at Level 4 which is run over 19 months, the first 14 months training, and 5 months End Point Assessment.

As a training provider, you can expect the PRCA to provide training, oversee the quality of assessments, verify the coaches, offer support and check-ins, as well as be subject to quality assurance checks, we also run networking events and promote our apprentices and their employers.

For employers

Managing an apprentice effectively can be a big responsibility, whether they’re a school leaver or an experienced colleague, and is key to helping them grow and develop into a productive and happy employee.

You are expected to play an active role in the apprentice’s programme as you will need to fully support the apprentice in their EPA period.

When managers are directly involved and engaged in the discussion throughout, it helps with the learning process. For example, planning workplace learning opportunities at the right time or stage of the learning journey.

For apprentices

The Level 4 Apprenticeship is a 19 month programme, 14 months of active learning and 5 months of End Point Assessment.

You will be supported by a coach who will hold monthly meetings with you to help with assessment planning and progress reviews.

You will spend a minimum of 1 day per week studying as well as completing PRCA-accredited training courses with are a mixture of virtual classrooms which are highly ineractive, covering topics for all skills sets and levels of experience and online webinars which last 60 – 90 minutes that are bitesize versions of a classroom training course.

You will build your E-portfolio of evidence on your personal OneFile account.

The programme is fully virtual.

Reflecting on our apprentices’ journeys so far… they’ve been pretty amazing, and we never underestimate the boost they give our business. Bringing an apprentice into the team has brought an injection of new energy and insights into our consumer and hospitality team. She has been able to support our junior team with client and agency work so that individuals gain additional development opportunities and experience.

Employer

I love the spontaneity of my apprenticeship. It’s true that the communications industry is fast-paced, especially in government, so you never know what is going to happen. Every day begins with a look over the news, print and online. After that, however, anything can happen! What would I say to anyone thinking about applying? Do it. Seriously, right now, stop reading, go and write that application! My apprenticeship has helped me to achieve a number of personal goals.

Apprentice