The UK’s first PR Higher Apprenticeship programme is now recruiting for its first intake of apprentices and employers, following four months of consultation between the PRCA, apprenticeship provider Pearson in Practice, and the public relations industry.

The qualification has been given the seal of approval from the industry: hundreds of PR employers took place in the consultation to ensure that the qualification would serve the sector’s needs.

More than 40 employers have already signed up to the scheme, and Shepherd Construction in York has taken first place as the earliest employer to take on an apprentice. The business is currently recruiting for a candidate for the in-house position, which will begin straight away.

Fiona McBride, CEO of Pearson in Practice, believes that strong industry support reflects the growing credibility of apprenticeships and vocational qualifications. “We are hugely encouraged,” she says, “that this has translated into real commitment from a vast number of employers, and strongly encourage employers who have yet to sign up to contact us.”

The PRCA and Pearson in Practice expect that over 600 PR Apprenticeships will be created over the next three years. It is an equivalent qualification to a Foundation Degree and so is aimed at school-leavers seeking an alternative to university. A launch event for the programme will be held in London on 9 July, in order to educate employers about the Apprenticeships and to encourage them to subscribe.