Public Relations and Communications Apprentices Liberty and Rebecca
Find out from our apprentices what it's like to work with our communications team.
Liberty, what is your day to day job role? Where are you based and what does this job typically involve?
My day to day role as a Public Relations and Communications Assistant Apprentice consists of supporting the Media Team on a variety of tasks and projects such as, producing press releases, tracking media coverage, pitching to local and national media contacts and so much more. I am based in the London office which is where many of my wonderful colleagues in the Media Team are also based, this allows me to work closely alongside them and learn from the professionals.
Rebecca, what made you consider an apprenticeship at Historic England?
I really wanted to gain valuable experience within communications in the heritage sector. It’s always been an interesting area for me and offered a way of gaining practical and relevant work experience, while boosting my career prospects!
A way of gaining practical and relevant work experience, while boosting my careers prospects.
Liberty, please could you briefly describe one area that you feel the programme has helped you develop in so far?
The apprenticeship programme has helped me to develop my confidence and personal skills. I have been interacting with new colleagues, fellow apprentices on the course and even speaking to journalists to arrange interviews. Not only have these experiences enabled me to become more confident in myself and my abilities but they have also allowed me to complete my job better and make the most of all of my opportunities at Historic England.
The apprenticeship programme has helped me to develop my confidence and personal skills.
Rebecca, what has been the highlight of the programme so far?
The exciting opportunities to see Historic England’s work in action! There’s been lots of site visits with multiple teams to get out and about to a range of different locations and see how Historic England continues to care for the historic environment across the East of England region. Some of these visits include a trip to the conservation work at Orford Castle, a visit to Bedford High Street Heritage action zone, Happisburgh and Luton.
My highlight has been the exciting opportunities to see Historic England’s work in action.
Liberty, what were you doing before you joined Historic England ?
Before joining Historic England, I was still a student in sixth form studying History, English Language and Sociology, three incredibly essay based subjects. I’ve always been a bit of a History nerd so studying history was a no brainer, pairing this with English Language allowed me to refine my writing and communication skills, which has worked out perfectly for my role at Historic England. I get to develop my writing skills further whilst working in the heritage field, isn’t it ideal?
Rebecca, what advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?
Historic England is an amazing organisation with so many enthusiastic and well-versed individuals. Take the opportunity to meet and form as many connections as possible as their knowledge and experience will help to build valuable heritage sector skills, that can be applied to future career ventures.
My advice to potential apprentices would be take the opportunity to meet and form as many connections as possible, as their knowledge and experience will help to build valuable heritage sector skills, that can be applied to future career ventures.
Liberty and Rebecca, This year’s theme for national Apprenticeship Week is ‘Skills for Life’. Do you feel that this opportunity enables you to build for your future career?
Rebecca: This opportunity certainly builds skills for life. Whether that be communication, time management or presentation skills to specific heritage sector knowledge, a lot of the skills accumulated on the apprenticeship program can be applied to any future occupation.
This opportunity with Historic England certainly builds skills for life.
Liberty: It most certainly does, not only have I gained a specific skill set around Public Relations and Communications, I have also gained a variety of skills that I can carry with me throughout life and any other job roles I may undertake. This opportunity has enhanced my creativity, time management, confidence and so much more. This is without a doubt, going to benefit me and my future career.
This is without a doubt, going to benefit me and my future career.
