PR Apprenticeships at Ilex Content Strategies #NAW2023
Ilex Content Strategies has taken on two PR Apprentices over the last two years, the first achieved a Distinction! In honour of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, we did a Q&A with Lucia Barbato regarding how those apprentices have impacted the business and its growth. Lucia also offered advice for employers considering hiring apprentices of their own.
1. How have your apprentice’s newly-developed industry skills benefited your business?
"We have been consistently impressed with our PR apprentices. Our first, Steph, completed the course with a Distinction and is now a valued full-time member of staff. Our current PR apprentice, Tilly, is a great addition to the team. Her positivity, energy, enthusiasm and effort make her a wonderful team player and an asset to have on board. She is able to support across several clients and manage her workload with maturity."
2. How do you feel your apprentice has contributed to your business?
"Tilly supports several client accounts, and she is seen as a valuable resource who can be relied on under pressure without getting flustered. She is eager to learn and brings a smile to all the team calls."
3. Has the apprenticeship promoted business growth? If so, how?
"Tilly is working on a variety of accounts, including important new business wins because she is reliable and hardworking and can be trusted to always make the grade."
4. What is some advice you would give to an employer considering hiring an apprentice?
"Our apprentices are often school leavers with no prior office experience. We find that having a buddy system works well, where an apprentice has one point of call for all the questions that they naturally would have – how do you book holiday? Where do I find this file? Etc."
Lucia Barbato, CEO, Ilex Content Strategies
The PRCA delivers the Higher PR & Communications Assistant Standard, with the structured support of the Level 4 Diploma in PR. Both are nationally recognised. Flexible in structure, employers can tailor the Diploma using optional units to suit the needs of the business. Learners are placed in the workplace and complete on-the-job training and assessment. Click here to find out more about the PR Apprenticeship programme.