A new PR and Communications Apprenticeship, developed by a group of 23 ‘trailblazer’ employers, has been approved by the government for delivery from autumn 2017. The Public Relations and Communications Assistant Apprenticeship will eventually replace the existing PR Apprenticeship programme.

Until the new apprenticeship is live, PR and communications teams will still be able to recruit apprentices on the existing PR Apprenticeship operated by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). This has been running for over three years and has seen just under 250 apprentices trained in organisations ranging from the NHS to SME PR and communications consultancies.
 
The new programme will place more emphasis on planning and evaluation in PR and communications, while also incorporating a broader range of communications skills, including using the latest social media channels and production of non-written content.
 
Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA, says, “The government’s approval of the new PR and communications apprenticeship framework is a fantastic vote of confidence in a programme that already is transforming our industry.
 
“The PRCA Apprenticeship programme has opened up our industry to hundreds of people who would previously never ever have considered PR and communications as an option. I am proud of our work here, and delighted that we will be able to build on the incredible success we have had already.
 
The new standard has been approved following a rigorous two-year sign off process and a second PR and communications consultant apprenticeship at master's-degree level will now be developed and is expected to launch in spring 2018.