PRCA Apprenticeship programme rated ‘Outstanding’ in first Ofsted inspection

The Public Relations and Communications Association’s (PRCA’s) Apprenticeship programme has been rated Outstanding in all areas following its first Ofsted inspection.

The inspection, conducted from 8 to 10 January 2025, assessed the overall effectiveness of PRCA’s apprenticeship provision and awarded Outstanding ratings for:

• The quality of education
• Behaviour and attitudes
• Personal development
• Leadership and management
• Apprenticeships

The PRCA first launched its apprenticeship programme in September 2022 to support the next generation of PR and communications professionals.

At the time of inspection, 31 adult apprentices were undertaking training while employed across PR and public affairs agencies, consultancies, and marketing companies across England.

The Ofsted report highlighted the exceptional quality of training, strong employer engagement, and the outstanding personal and professional development of apprentices.

It praised the programme’s structured curriculum, which helps apprentices build core PR and public affairs skills, as well as develop wider professional competencies such as confidence, resilience, and ethical decision-making.

Underlining how the PRCA uses the scheme to promote and uphold professionalism, the report said: “Coaches and trainers link the code of conduct to how apprentices should only influence ethically and responsibly in their roles at work. Apprentices learn how to behave in an ethical manner and with adherence to legal frameworks in their roles and future careers across the different areas of PR and communications.”

The report also commended the PRCA for fostering a highly supportive and safe learning environment. Apprentices benefit from one-to-one coaching, networking opportunities, and additional modules covering key industry topics such as brand strategy and digital analytics.

Employers praised the programme for producing skilled, job-ready professionals who make meaningful contributions to their teams.

PRCA CEO, Sarah Waddington CBE, said:

“This Outstanding rating is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, our trainers, and our apprentices. I’m grateful to them all.

“Our apprenticeship programme is designed to provide industry-leading training that equips professionals with the skills and confidence to excel in PR, public affairs and communications. It provides an accessible pathway to the sector and aids social mobility, supporting one of the PRCA’s strategic goals of being inclusive by default.

“We are immensely proud of this achievement and remain committed to delivering excellence in apprenticeship education. If you are looking to diversify your workforce while supporting the next generation, please speak to the team about a PRCA apprenticeship.”

Join our free virtual event taking place this Thursday to gain a better understanding of the PRCA apprenticeships, and hear positive stories and career outcomes from those who have interacted with the programme. Full details here: https://www.prca.global/events...