Today is a landmark day for the PR industry.
Today sees the single most important development in the industry since the social media revolution.
I’ve written on countless occasions about the need to diversify routes into the PR profession – and long called for the establishment of PR Apprenticeships.
And while the PRCA have always been supportive when I’ve questioned them on the issue, today sees real action. They are to be congratulated for having worked with Government to use new funding to establish higher level Apprenticeships in PR – working alongside Pearson in Practice (who also own exam board Edexcel).
When combined with existing Apprenticeship programmes for more junior positions (see this diagram for more on integrating this level), this announcement sounds the end for those who believe the industry should be a graduate only profession.
Ramblings Of A PR 
Ben Caspersz (@Claremontcomms)
08/12/2011
I very much agree that this is an all-round brilliant development for the industry.
I have been a vocal critic of all of the PR trade organisations for a long time, but this is a clear demonstration of the PRCA’s usefulness and their ability to make things happen.
Our company is likely to take part in the new scheme in 2012 and I see apprentices potentially being a significant part of our long term growth plans.
I’d very much like to congratulate everyone involved in making it happen – well done!
bexybex74
08/12/2011
This is good news for me, a budding young graduate. Glad things in the industry are progressing and moving forward with long term plans.
Thanks for posting!
Rachel
13/12/2011
I think it is a brilliant development which will open up the industry to skilled, passionate candidates who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to enter it.
On the other hand I am interested to see how it will affect those who choose to study PR as a degree, will they be left with debt and yet still be considered more undesirable than an apprentice (I wrote about it here http://rachelbarkley.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/are-apprenticeships-a-threat-to-pr-degrees/). Would be interesting to know your opinion.
sifrancis
14/12/2011
I’ve posted on your post Rachel – Apprenticeships shouldn’t been seen as a threat at all to PR degrees, but do hope it forces universities to work more with employers to develop courses which are well respected and that people want.