Communications Assistant Level 4 Apprentice

THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED

Reading (RG1 8DB)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 6 March 2026)

Posted on 10 February 2026


Summary

Kick‑start your future as a Communications Assistant Apprentice. You’ll rotate across media, internal comms, marketing, incident comms, local engagement, and public affairs - building broad experience while working toward a Level 4 Public Relations & Communications Assistant qualification. 

Training course
Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)
Hours
Hours: 36 hours a week across four working days plus one off-the-job training day, Monday - Friday.

36 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 4 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 do: 

  • Support planning and delivery of internal and external comms campaigns
  • Draft press releases, newsletters, social posts, and other content
  • Monitor media coverage and compile summaries
  • Contribute to digital updates, website content, and creative ideas
  • Organise comms data and assist with stakeholder activities
  • Take part in team meetings and ongoing training as you develop your skills

Where you'll work

Clearwater Court
Vastern Road
Reading
RG1 8DB

Training

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

Training provider

OXFORD PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GROUP 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

  • Knowledge, skills and behaviours as set out in the Public relations and communications assistant Level 4 Standard
  • This aligns with Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) for criteria for Individual Membership
  • Your training includes 2 live online workshops per month, supported by a one-to-one monthly trainer meeting with our subject experts

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSE’s including Maths and English (grade 9-4 or A-C)

Other in:

or equivalent relevant qualification (grade Distinction/Merit/Pass/A-C)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

Who are we? We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come

https://careers.thameswater.co.uk/our-roles/early-careers/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance targets 
  • Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • Permanent contract with a 14–16-month structured programme

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

OXFORD PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014490.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 6 March 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.