Communications Apprentice

OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR FOR HIGHER EDUCA

READING (RG1 3AB)

Closes in 18 days (Sunday 23 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 August 2026

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Summary

As a Communications Apprentice, you will support the OIA in delivering effective, interesting and accessible communications. You will help us to connect with colleagues, students, students’ unions, and people working in universities and colleges along with delivering internal and external communications activity.

Wage

£30,283 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Grade 2

Training course
Public relations and communications assistant (level 4)
Hours
Full-time or part-time (minimum 4 days per week). Minimum two days per week in the Reading office. During the probation period more days are likely to be required. Some travel for work might be required, and expenses will be paid.

35 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 14 October 2026

Duration

1 year 7 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

The apprentice will work in the following areas initially with close support, with autonomy growing as knowledge, skills, experience and judgement develop:

  • Creating regular video and animation content for our website, LinkedIn and Instagram channels, helping drive engagement. This includes supporting content in front of or behind the camera where appropriate.
  • Carrying out basic analysis of how our content performs and making evidence-based suggestions for material which we could create and use.
  • Creating convincing and easy to follow advice and guidance including traditional written material and visualised content.
  • Editing existing documents or webpages to improve how easy they are to follow.
  • Assisting with the management of our website and Sharepoint intranet sites through building pages, proof reading and gathering data.
  • Designing graphics.
  • Supporting the running of our student sounding board and other student-facing activities.
  • User-testing our processes and providing feedback and recommendations on how to improve.
  • Arranging photoshoots, finding suppliers, attending meetings and recording actions, distributing key documents by email, managing contacts and assisting with the wider operation of the team
  • Work collaboratively with teams across the OIA on communications activities, helping to identify opportunities, support them with content creation where appropriate and ensure communications are informed by insight from our audiences.
  • In addition to the above, the employee will be expected to carry out any other reasonable tasks delegated by their line manager, which are in line with the salary grade and experience.

Where you'll work

2ND FLOOR
ABBEY GATE
57-75 KINGS ROAD
READING
RG1 3AB

Training

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

Training provider

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION 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

This apprenticeship, which typically takes around 14 months, plus an endpoint assessment (typically an additional 5 months), will provide training in all aspects of communications, with a particular focus on supporting the planning, creation and delivery of effective communications across a range of channels and audiences. The apprentice will be employed in the role while completing structured learning and development with an apprenticeship provider.

Completion of the apprenticeship will result in a Level 4 qualification in Public Relations and Communications, aligning with professional accreditation by the Public Relations and Communication Association.

Much of the learning will be role and project based within the workplace, with approximately one day per week spent studying or developing a portfolio, which can be carried out at home or as an extra day at work.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Creative or digitally led subject (grade 9-4 (A*- C))
  • English Language/Literature (grade 9-4 (A*- C))
  • Maths (grade 9-4 (A*- C))

A Level in:

Minimum of 2 A-levels (grade 4 (C) and above)

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
  • Analytical skills
  • Initiative
  • Willingness to learn
  • Creative and curious
  • Responsible

About this employer

Our vision at OIA is that higher education students are always treated fairly. We work towards this by resolving individual complaints from students, sharing learning from complaints to help improve policies and practices, and working with other organisations in the HE sector and beyond. Our strategy sets out our organisational priorities.

All roles are expected to demonstrate our organisational values of integrity and independence, quality, openness and accessibility, service ethos, engagement, and equality and diversity.

These underpin how work is carried out, decisions are made and work relationships are built.

https://www.oiahe.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

The potential career path of a successful applicant will form part of discussions during the apprenticeship - future employment opportunities within OIA may be available on completion.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Georgia Elston

georgia.elston@prca.global

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046098.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Sunday 23 August 2026 at 11:59pm)