PR & Communications Apprentice

Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and creative person to join our team of communications professionals. Working with senior members of our team to help them deliver innovative and focused campaigns for our clients, you will develop your skills as you go, embracing opportunities to take ownership of aspects of the campaigns you work on.

Wage: £16,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:30. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are in the office. The rest of the week will be remote working.
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 5 May
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

This apprentice role at TALA and ELAN is ideal for individuals seeking challenges and the opportunity to learn from a small, senior, and specialised team. We're in search of an apprentice ready to dive into the role from day one, eager to contribute significantly to their teams. The position is well-suited for someone aiming to accelerate their career in communications and thrive in a dynamic environment. Rapid learning and continuous support are integral to your journey in this fast-paced setting.

PR activities

The PR Apprentice will be required to undertake (but not be restricted to) the following occupational duties as part of their role. The duties below are directly from the most up-to-date PR & Communications Assistant standard.

Develop written and non-written content and schedule this content for publication/distribution according to the public relations and communications or campaign plan.
Contribute to the creation of campaigns or new business proposals planning and their implementation.
Research, analyse and monitor stakeholders to inform engagement strategies.
Monitor media to keep up to date with current affairs and build knowledge of the journalist and media landscape.
Research, analyse and evaluate campaigns against key performance indicators (KPIs) to prepare future campaigns.
Share content with relevant stakeholders and media, to inform and influence audiences to maintain positive relationships.
Undertake reputation assessment and formulate responses to support stakeholders with the planning and implementation of reputation management and/or crisis strategies.
Support the Public Relations and Communications’ team with routine administrative, logistical, and time-sensitive tasks.
Support the planning and delivery of ad hoc engagement activities such as events.
Contribute to team development through sharing relevant knowledge and skills when required.
Organise and coordinate stakeholder meetings.
Contribute to the organisational objectives and key performance indicators to support communication activities which drive and improve performance and sustainability goals.

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

Bloxham Mill

Barford Road

Bloxham

Oxfordshire

OX15 4FF

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.
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.
Attendance to 50+ high-quality 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))

A Level in:

Business, and/or Humanities subjects (grade 4 (C) and above)
English (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. there maybe times when you might be asked to work evenings and weekends.

About this company

TALA and ELAN are part of one of the UK’s fastest growing PR groups outside London. With huge expertise in strategic communications across a range of sectors including automotive, with clients drawn from all over the world. One of many common factors is that our communications strategies champion our clients’ ambitions for a cleaner, healthier, smarter world. Our experienced team of strategic consultants come from the worlds of journalism, marketing, international PR, political consultancies and senior corporate roles. Our international network offers our clients local, in-country support or global crisis communications management.

https://www.elan-pr.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Hybrid working, the Company’s holiday year runs from 1st Jan-Dec and all full-time staff are entitled to 25 days paid leave per year, up to 4 days of which will be taken between Christmas and New Year, On-site Parking, Casual Dress, Company Events

After this apprenticeship

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

Typical job titles include:

Junior account executive
Account executive
Senior account executive

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: