My time as a PRCA apprentice

As my apprenticeship comes to an end, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown and grateful to everyone who made it possible, even from miles away.

My PRCA journey took place almost entirely online, yet it gave me real projects, practical skills, and lessons I’ll carry with me into my future career.

Even though we worked remotely, I was never alone. Regular catch-ups with my coach, virtual classroom sessions, and PRCA buddies kept me informed and supported throughout the apprenticeship.

My colleagues at Aro were always open to sharing their knowledge and involving me in meaningful work, which gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. I learned so much by listening to their advice, asking questions, and observing how experienced professionals approached challenges.

Those everyday interactions taught me the value of collaboration, clear communication, and building trust within a team.

Throughout my apprenticeship, I was doing real work that made a difference. From drafting press releases and running social media channels to pitching stories to editors and supporting live campaigns, every task challenged me to learn something new.

With each project, I gained more confidence and started to understand how my contributions connected to the wider goals of the team and company. Being trusted with meaningful responsibilities made me feel valued and pushed me to grow faster than I expected.

Reflecting on my apprenticeship, it’s clear that the experience has been as much about resilience as it has been about growth. There were plenty of demanding moments where balancing everyday work responsibilities with PRCA coursework felt like a real challenge.

I learned how to handle pressure, stay organised, and keep pushing forward when things became difficult.

The final stage of the qualification was especially challenging: writing a report, creating a presentation, and prepping for my hour-long professional discussion. It was a long process, but it gave me the chance to prove how much I’d developed.

My favourite part of the apprenticeship was the virtual classrooms and face-to-face courses as it gave me the opportunity to speak with my peers and other industry professionals and gain a real insight into the PR industry.

Looking back, I’d encourage anyone with an interest in PR to consider this apprenticeship, whether you’re starting out after school or ready to make a career change. The PRCA apprenticeship is beneficial to everyone – the individual, my company and our clients – and I have found it to be incredibly beneficial to me and my career.