Communications Specialist - Apprentice

EDWARDS LIMITED

West Sussex (RH15 9TW)

Closes on Friday 30 January 2026

Posted on 24 December 2025

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Summary

In this role, you’ll help shape how information is shared across our site, ensuring employees feel informed, engaged, and connected. From eye-catching digital screens and newsletters to impactful events and campaigns, you’ll be at the heart of creating messages that matter and help to build a sense of community. 

Wage

£20,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

What you’ll be doing:

  • Create and deliver engaging content for newsletters, digital screens, and social platforms
  • Support leadership communications, including presentations and town halls
  • Write and share urgent updates such as safety alerts and important announcements
  • Promote events and initiatives that celebrate our people and culture
  • Help organise and support events, from team celebrations to visits from senior leaders
  • Contribute to wellbeing and community projects, including charity and recognition programmes
  • Measure success by gathering feedback and using analytics to improve communication
  • Assist with change projects, ensuring messages are clear and supportive

Where you'll work

Innovation Drive
Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 9TW

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE MARKETING COLLEGE LIMITED

Training course

Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Use IT systems and software to support campaigns.
  • Build stakeholder relationships and present 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 within their organisation's procedures.
  • 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 their organisation's procedures.
  • 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 and present 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 within their organisation's procedures.
  • 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 their organisation's procedures.
  • Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.

Training schedule

  • Minimum of 6 hours off-the-job training per week
  • Blended learning, with online study materials, a monthly one-to-one online tutorial, and topic specific webinars

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Creative

Other requirements

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the role.

- Experience in communications, PR, and employee engagement.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- A degree in a relevant field such as Business, English or Marketing – would be desirable, but not essential.
- Creative thinking and attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple tasks.
- Enthusiasm to learn and develop through the apprenticeship program.

About this employer

Edwards is the brand name our customers have come to trust and rely upon, but we are also part of the much bigger Atlas Copco Group. We take pride in our globally recognised position as the leading technology partner and supplier of vacuum and environmental solutions in support of our customers productivity and environmental targets. Our team will not be limited by conventional thinking to offer technology-driven solutions, and this requires a huge variety of skills and capabilities. As a company, we are actively developing sustainable solutions that enable a significant reduction in our customers' environmental footprint, while also driving down our carbon footprint within the business through waste reduction and renewable energy projects. One of our greatest strengths is the diversity of our workforce with people of all educational and cultural backgrounds working together. We believe that talent and diversity is the key to success and that everybody should feel valued and able to reach their full potential, both in their development and their contribution to the business.

https://www.edwardsvacuum.com/en-uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Learning and career growth
  • Comprehensive compensation and benefits
  • Health and well-being support
  • Mentorship and support from experienced professionals
  • Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects

After this apprenticeship

Once you have completed the apprenticeship, you will join an established role within the Headquarters site team. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE MARKETING COLLEGE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000006484.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 30 January 2026