SEARCH IS ON FOR THE FIRST ‘PR APPRENTICE’

'Work inspiration' programme also launched as part of Big Conversation.
Band & Brown Group has launched a search for the first 'PR Apprentice' and an overhaul of work experience opportunities as part of a new commitment to improve career routes into the industry.
Two 16-plus young people will be given the chance to combine earning a real wage in a real PR job with recognised training towards business administration NVQs at City and Islington College. In addition, an existing employee will undertake a marketing and communications Apprenticeship with Outsource Training and Development.
Young people can apply through the College and via the National Apprenticeships Service matching website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Following successful completion of a Level 2 Business Administration Apprenticeship, the Band & Brown Apprentices will be able to follow a career path within the company – taking an Advanced Apprenticeship in marketing and communications, graphic design, IT infrastructure, digital marketing or corporate services (such as Accounting).
Gill Brown, Chief Executive of the Group, said:
"In the current economic climate, all employers are looking at how they can best nurture the talent of the future. Through our work with education foundation Edge and the Learning and Skills Council, it's become clear that the PR industry is not making the most of the recruitment avenues available.
"Apprenticeships will not only help diversify our workforce and bring a younger voice to the development of our ideas, but will also offer young people a clear route into the PR industry and a path to progress through our organisation."
Andy Powell, Chief Executive of independent education foundation Edge, commented:
"For too long, the PR and marketing industry has solely relied on graduates to fill entry level positions. Yet, by only offering this route to success, the industry is automatically closing its doors to over half of young people."
Simon Waugh, Chief Executive, National Apprenticeship Service, said:
"An Apprenticeship is a great way to start a career in any industry but we are always pleased to see new sectors picking up this valuable route into a job. We are delighted that Band and Brown are offering Marketing and Communication Apprenticeships."
Kevin Brennan MP, Minister for FE, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs, congratulated Band & Brown on the announcement:
"We're delighted that Band & Brown is backing young Britain in actions as well as words. We want as many young people as possible to have access to high-quality Apprenticeships and work experience programmes so they can combine real world experiences with formal learning."
As part of Business in the Communities' 'Big Conversation' between employers and young people to turn work experience programmes into work inspiration, the Group has also announced it has created a formal link with Camden Education Business Partnership to enable more young people to take part in work experience.
The structured programme will be tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each student and aims not only to give an insight into a career in the PR industry, but also to help young people build their confidence and communication skills in an actual work environment.
Brown continued:
Our work inspiration programme will not only help the young people involved to gain real world skills and experience, but will also ensure that the company benefits from their time with us. The template for the programme has been developed over the past year with young people known to us and our clients – we now need to make sure that young people from across north London and further afield benefit from the experience we offer."
Details of both schemes can be found on our careers page.

GIVING PEOPLE A VOICE ON EDUCATION

Young people, parents and teachers will be urged to ensure their voice is heard on the next five years of education in a new campaign launching on 10th September.
With politicians writing the manifestos for the next general election now, independent education foundation Edge will be collating the views of the public to send a message to politicians that the current education system needs to be changed.
Edge believes there needs to be many paths to success with more practical and vocational learning in schools.
The campaign was trailed over the summer through public relations, social media, local radio promotions and events for young people to record their message to the manifestos.
It will be officially launched through national print, online advertising, media partnerships with MTV and AOL, as well as ongoing PR and social media, on Thursday 10th September.
Political press advertising, party conference debates and stakeholder relations will also take place throughout the autumn to raise awareness of the campaign.
The call to action across all channels of the campaign will be for the public to visit www.edge.co.uk/revolution and record their opinions – through video and text – on the changes they would like to see in the education system. The views of the public will then be used on MTV, AOL and in future Edge advertising campaigns. In the autumn, the views of young people and parents will be presented to the politicians that are drafting the education policies for the next election.
David Lane, Director of Marketing and Communications at Edge, said:
"The exam results season focuses people's minds on young people's futures, but we need to ensure that education doesn't slip back down people's list of priorities. It is vital that parents, young people and teachers realise the decisions being taken by politicians now could have a massive impact on the lives of generations of young people.
"Our campaign will gain public support for Edge's Six Steps to Change Manifesto and galvanise the country to ensure these changes are considered by the key policy writers for all the three political parties and included within the election education manifestos.
"It is essential that the political party manifestos for the next general election contain a vision of the education system for the future – one which provides many paths to success and embeds practical and vocational learning at the heart of all young people's education."
MCBD's press campaign is designed to encourage everyone who is interested in the future of education to share their ideas and voice their opinions. It uses provocative imagery of young people and parents raising their hands in the political arena – at No. 10, the Prime Minister's Podium and the House of Commons – as a symbol of their desire to make a difference to education. All the advertising features one email address – ideas@edgehaveyoursay.co.uk – to encourage people to tell politicians how they think education should be improved.
Elvis' online advertising strategy mirrors this approach with online ads and emails driving response to the Edge website (www.edge.co.uk) where people can have their say by adding a message, uploading a video or debating on the Edge forum.
PHD has brokered media partnerships with MTV and AOL to create high-profile showcases for young people and their parents to offer their views. MTV will showcase celebrity testimonials from the likes of NDubz and Diversity to inspire young people to have their say on education through video uploads and social media commentary. Parents voices can be heard through Edge's interactive page on AOL ParentDish, the online forum with the biggest parenting reach.
Band & Brown's public relations – converged closely with the above the line activity – will use hard-hitting news stories, live events and social media to ensure people realise it's vital they have their say now on the next five years of education. Working closely with Edge's in-house team the PR will also ensure that the people's voice is delivered powerfully to parliamentarians and decision makers.
Using a host of social media mechanics including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogger outreach, Brando Social will engage with the online public to raise awareness of the campaign. Continuing the success of the ‘Edge Badge' (a customisable widget that can be installed on blogs and Facebook profiles for people to challenge their networks to debate educational reform) students, parents and teachers will be able to upload their videos calling for reform through a YouTube channel with winning videos appearing on MTV.
Agencies involved in the campaign are: Band & Brown (PR and stakeholders), Brando Social (social media), Elvis (online creatives), MCBD (advertising creatives), PHD (media planning & buying) and PublicZone (web build).
For more information please contact Simon Francis, Sarah Davidson or Zoe Penn at Band & Brown on 020 7419 6950 / edgeteam@bbpr.com