PR & Communications Apprentice

Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious someone with a genuine desire to start with career at a fast-growing, dynamic and highly motivated tech PR agency. If you get excited about tech then you’ll love it at Wildfire.

Annual wage

£20,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

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Training course

Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)

Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00-17:15

36 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 6 January

Duration

1 year 7 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

PR activities
You will be required to undertake (but not be restricted to) the following activities as part of your role.

Content creation: Writing a variety of copy for client communication and/or media (including articles, news releases, blogs and case studies)
Social media: Using social media in a strategic and effective way for individual company executives and brand channels (including drafting posts, managing engagement and tracking analytics)
Media liaison: Day to day contact with target media to generate coverage opportunities and positive ongoing relationships with key journalists
Deliver PR campaigns: Supporting the team with ideas and in creating new campaigns, working to deliver a strategy for a client organisation
Reporting and evaluation: Collating reports, monitoring for coverage and assisting in evaluating the effectiveness or PR campaigns and measuring their impact
Research: Conducting research for the team and/or clients and reporting back key details
Presentation: Helping to develop and deliver presentations internally and externally
Events: Planning, organising and co-ordinating events, meeting the objectives of the brief
Financial admin: supporting teams with small finance processes such as raising purchase orders

Working with People

Professional relationships: Developing professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, effective listening and verbal/written communication. Ensuring supervisors and coaches are aware of work-in-progress and are briefed when any problems arise. Working with teams to achieve goals and promote a motivated work environment.
Networking: Building a professional network of other PR professionals whilst maintaining a positive company and personal image

Expectations:

Time management: Planning, organising and prioritising your workload to ensure deadlines and objectives for both work activities and apprenticeship training are met. Ensuring email/online diaries are kept up to date.
Career development: Taking responsibility for personal learning and professional development.
Professional relationships: Developing professional relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and teams. Ensuring supervisors and coaches are aware of work-in-progress and any issues.
Networking: Building a professional network of other PR professionals.
The apprentice must always follow company and training provider procedures.

Where you’ll work

THE ALBANY BOATHOUSE

LOWER HAM ROAD

KINGSTON UPON THAMES

SURREY

KT2 5BB

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Your training course

Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents

Use IT systems and software to support campaigns.

Build stakeholder relationships including developing contacts within the media and presenting to them in both formal and informal settings.

Support campaigns by undertaking tasks such as desk research, event co-ordination, and database management to ensure compliance with agreed service or performance levels.

Produce written content such as news releases, articles, social media content, bulletins, and blogs, that is accessible to meet the needs of different audiences and channels.

Able to adapt communication styles as appropriate to the audience.

Support the production of non-written content such as film production management, producing short user generated style content, live video streaming, social image creation, and infographic production.

Distribute content using social media channels.

Use qualitative and quantitative research to analyse and evaluate public relations and communications activities and present findings to project stakeholders.

Analyse and interpret complex subjects through different communication channels and identify areas for improvement.

Input to and review communications programmes and plans with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

Undertake risk assessment and provide information to support stakeholder planning and strategy.

Plan and deliver engagement activities for stakeholders, such as curating the content, supporting events, and collating feedback.

Proofread and edit communications materials such as news releases, graphics and video, and social media content.

Support team and colleague development through buddying or coaching.

Contribute to activities which focus on improving sustainability within the organisation.

Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.

Your training plan

You will develop a wide understanding of Public Relations and the impact it has on businesses
As a Public Relations and Communications Apprentice, you will follow a Level 4 Public Relations Assistant apprenticeship standard, with a PRCA Qualification.
This will involve “on the job” training, virtual visits from an Apprenticeship Coach, an internal line manager to provide ongoing guidance, online learning, and creating a portfolio of evidence.
Apprentices are employed full-time with at least one day per week dedicated to apprenticeship coursework, including study and assignments.
Attendance to 50+ expert PRCA industry-training courses.
Functional Skills in maths and English if required.
The apprentice will be working towards an End-Point Assessment (EPA) which will determine if he/she has the knowledge, skills, and behaviours listed in the PR & Communications Assistant Standard.
PRCA is the training provider for this apprenticeship, as well as the largest membership and industry body for the PR & Communications industry.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language/Literature (grade 9-4 (A*- C))

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths (grade 9-4 (A*- C))
English, Creative subjects, and/or Humanities (grade 4 (C) and above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Genuine interest in PR
Proactive self-starter
Interest in current affairs
Social media
Motivated and committed
Flexible and willing to learn
Strong interest in the media

Other requirements

You may be required to work flexible hours to meet the needs of clients.

About this company

Wildfire is an award-winning tech PR agency that turns ambition into action for tech brands around the world. Whether working from our beautiful riverside office in Kingston-upon-Thames or taking advantage of our hybrid working arrangements our team of creative consultants make client goals a reality through a combination of strategic thinking, bold ideas, exceptional content, and stand-out results. Proudly 100% employee-owned, we promise an exceptional team of highly motivated professionals who deliver outstanding results. Our drive to make an impact not only applies to our work, but also how we do business as a certified B Corp and Great Place to Work®. Our clients do interesting things across a wide range of industries, including everything from Oscar winning motion capture technologies used in the latest Hollywood blockbusters, the latest cybersecurity platforms to carbon removal technology trying to save the planet. Using our Think.Bold approach, we’ve helped big tech brands achieve their business goals – including the likes of Epson, Logitech, Microsoft, Raspberry Pi, Samsung and Panasonic. As well as these ‘big name’ brands, we also work with cool start-ups and niche technology innovators in sectors including marketing tech, IT and AI. Behind all our great work, is a great team. Careers at Wildfire are different. Our creative and supportive work environment, built around flexibility and mental wellbeing is designed to help you thrive. Be bold, Be informed, Be exceptional, Be yourself and Do good are our values. They reflect who we are as an agency and as a team. We don’t subscribe to nonsense stereotypes or internal politics. We’re all about smart thinking and challenging ourselves. Having the confidence to express ideas and opinions, and to push the boundaries of what’s come before. Wildfire is a place to put your ambition into action, fulfil your potential and make a difference. Our culture does not encourage long hours, don’t expect a medal for getting in early and leaving last, you are more likely to get a chat about time management. We work hard, but not long into the night.

https://www.wildfirepr.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

23 days annual leave + all UK bank holidays and an additional 4 days off at Christmas, Hybrid working arrangements, Company events, Health cash plan, On-site parking, Paid volunteering day, Wellness programmes, Company pension, Free PRCA membership

After this apprenticeship

The potential career path of a successful applicant will form part of discussions during the apprenticeship - future employment opportunities within communications may be available on completion.

Typical job titles include:

Campaign assistant
Communications assistant
Internal communications assistant
Junior account executive
Junior press officer
Junior publicist
Public affairs assistant
Public relations assistant

Ask a question

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