The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the JGA Group have today announced a new partnership to further support and enhance public relations and communications apprenticeships across the UK.
The collaboration between the professional body for public relations practitioners and the specialist apprenticeship provider aims to foster a new generation of skilled professionals and provide employers with a pipeline of talent in the PR and communications industry.
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to structured professional development and diversity within the sector, offering inclusive routes into and within the industry for individuals and significant benefits for employers.
The apprenticeship offerings include:
- PR & Communications Assistant (Level 4)
- Digital Community Manager (Level 4)
- Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (Level 4) (from January 2026)
- Communications Manager (Level 6) (From January 2026)
Benefits for individuals
JGA’s apprenticeships – rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED – offer a unique model combining paid employment with formal training. Apprentices receive mentoring and coaching, and gain the key knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) essential for success in public relations, with 74% of their PR & Comms apprentices achieving a distinction. Apprenticeships are open to both new recruits and those looking to progress to managerial roles.
JGA apprentices coming via the CIPR will benefit from two years of free CIPR student membership.
Benefits for employers
JGA’s communications apprenticeships are a valuable tool for developing talent and fostering the professionalisation of staff from diverse backgrounds. They broaden the recruitment opportunities for new employees, helping integrate new graduates into the workplace and providing relevant training directly related to workplace tasks.
Training costs can be paid via the Apprenticeship Levy while small companies receive a government subsidy of 95% of training costs.
The value of PR apprenticeships is that they bridge the gap between those who learn on the job and those who learn for a job. I’m very pleased that the CIPR is working with the JGA Group to offer outstanding apprenticeships for all levels so that we can improve the diverse talent coming into and succeeding within the industry while creating value for organisations from day one.
Alastair McCapra, CIPR Chief Executive
We’re excited that the CIPR has recognised the UK’s leading high-quality PR and Comms apprenticeship provision and we look forward to working with the team to develop comms professionals across England. Our hope is that this partnership further elevates the standard of communications apprenticeships, providing an unparalleled opportunity for individuals to build successful careers while enabling employers to cultivate highly skilled and adaptable teams.
Richard Goodwin, Managing Director of JGA
