Public Relations and Communications Apprenticeships: Level 4

Learn from communications experts and build essential practical multimedia skills when you train with the PA Media Academy

Boost your team with a Public Relations & Communications Assistant apprentice who benefits from training from the UK and Ireland’s National News Agency. Whether it’s writing a press release, launching a podcast, making social video, or planning and measuring the impact of a campaign, we help PR & Comms apprentices build practical skills quickly with weekly training.

As they complete their training modules over 12 months, apprentices also build a portfolio of work that helps them embed learning and grow in confidence. They then go on to complete their End Point Assessment – a substantial project that showcases the knowledge, skills and behaviour they’ve built, and helps launch the next stage of their career. 

Read more about the Level 4 PR & Communications Apprentice standard at the Institute for Apprenticeships.

If you’re an employer considering hiring a Public Relations & Communications Assistant apprentice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to talk to you about the benefits to your business and to your apprentice, and can talk you through the practicals. We deliver training remotely and in-person.

If you are looking for other media industry apprenticeships, you may wish to consider our Level 3 Content Creator or Level 5 Journalist apprenticeship training. Alternatively, for team training, we offer a range of bespoke PR & Comms short courses.

Howard Smith, Programme Leader for the L4 Public Relations and Communications Assistant apprenticeship at the PA Media Academy says: “Our course will help your apprentices become confident, creative communications professionals.

“Whether it’s supporting someone at the start of their career or growing talent, our experienced tutors will develop apprentices’ skills and knowledge.

“They will learn how to deal with the media, the public, colleagues and other important stakeholders. They will understand the importance of building reputation to influence opinions and behaviours. They will learn how to write high-quality content and how to build and evaluate effective campaigns.

“They will become a great addition to your organisation.”

Details about our Apprenticeship

WHAT APPRENTICES LEARN

  1. Practical training sees apprentices make swift progress and build skills
  2. Apprentices join us once a week for workshops and assignments
  3. The curriculum focuses on building essential skills and applying them effectively
  4. Individual feedback ensures apprentices remain on course and engaged
  5. Apprentices, line managers and tutors meet every three months to discuss progress

INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

  1. We work with employers based across the UK
  2. We start two open cohorts of L5 PRCA apprentices each year in March and October
  3. If you have more than 12 apprentices, talk to us about a bespoke cohort
  4. We can support you through the apprentice process if you’re new to it
  5. Our apprentices go on to achieve awards and promotions

INFORMATION FOR APPRENTICES

  1. Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to learn while you earn, making media careers more accessible
  2. You don’t need PR or comms qualifications – but you should be interested in the media
  3. You cannot apply for an apprenticeship with the PA Media Academy directly
  4. Instead, visit Find an Apprenticeship and search for PR opportunities
  5. You can also check the websites and social media of employers directly

Course Modules

  • PR foundations – understand the fundamentals of public relations and ways of communicating with different audiences
  • Writing great content – develop your skills to write effective communications that influence opinions and behaviour
  • Internal communications – learn how to inform and engage staff in a way that motivates them and helps your organisation meet its goals
  • Digital and social media – master the skills to engage audiences and get the most out of digital and social media
  • Strategy and campaigns – be clear about what you want to achieve or avoid when developing a successful PR strategy and campaign

Course Modules

  • Brand and reputation – build, protect and support a positive reputation for brands, organisations, and individuals
  • Video and audio – shoot and edit videos, as well as make podcasts
  • Collaboration, management and leadership – learn to communicate and build relationships with people inside and outside your organisation
  • Regulation and ethics – understand your legal and ethical responsibilities as well as codes of practice and regulation.

Apprenticeship FAQs

DO EMPLOYERS PAY FOR TRAINING?

If your organisation pays the Apprenticeship Levy, then you do not need to contribute to training costs for your apprentices in England. If your organisation does not pay the levy, then you will need to contribute 5% of the training costs for your apprentices in England

CAN I TRAIN APPRENTICES OUTSIDE ENGLAND?

Yes, we are happy to work with you on this. You will not however be able to fund them through the Apprentice Levy

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP?

PA Media does recruit apprentices who work for the PA Media agency newsroom. You’ll find any vacancies here.

But the PA Media Academy is not involved in any apprentice recruitment. We are the training provider, not the employer.

ARE YOU INSPECTED BY OFSTED?

Yes, we were last inspected in September 2023 and awarded ‘Good’ in all areas. You can read the report here, or search under our legal name, The Press Association Ltd

What our students say

View all testimonials

The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

The team is flexible, slick, well-resourced and overall simply first class. Their expertise and knowledge have been invaluable. I was delighted with our choice, so I’d have no hesitation in recommending them

Prostate Cancer UK
, Head of External Relations

The teaching I received was second to none and despite having no experience whatsoever in journalism, the tutors made sure there was a friendly environment where I felt welcome to ask any questions I needed. I was able to finish the course and go into a job working for The Sun.

Olivia Allhusen
, Junior Journalist
, The Sun

I was able to count on excellent teachers and professionals who helped me push my limits and achieve my goals. I was impressed by the quality of the course and the motivation teachers put into it. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again!

Laure Poncet
, Research Officer
, ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes

I made amazing friends, amazing memories and now it has led me to an amazing job which I never would have gotten without my time at Press Association.  

Holly Bishop
, Digital Reporter
, GB News

I honestly thought that the whole day was fabulous!!! You really couldn’t have done anymore for us. The combination of practical exercises and feedback was particularly useful, it was a challenging day (in a very good way) in that we really had to think, learn and adapt quickly. I know the team are significantly better prepared for media interviews after this training.

Fragile X Society
, Managing Director

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.

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Name*
By submitting this application form you confirm your acceptance that the information you have provided will be used during the recruitment procedure. Once the recruitment procedure is completed, the data will be stored for one year and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, relevant information may be taken from this form and used as part of your personnel record.
If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
By submitting this application form you confirm your acceptance that the information you have provided will be used during the recruitment procedure. Once the recruitment procedure is completed, the data will be stored for one year and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, relevant information may be taken from this form and used as part of your personnel record.
If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here: