We help organisations, from innovative training providers to large national employers, raise the profile of their apprenticeship programmes, shape the public conversation around skills and training, and build strong relationships with education, business, and government stakeholders.
Our work covers success-story storytelling, stakeholder engagement, campaign strategy, policy positioning, media relations, and reputation management, all of which are specially tailored to the apprenticeships sector.
How your apprenticeship programme is perceived by policymakers, journalists, industry leaders, and prospective learners plays a crucial role in driving applications, securing funding, and attracting high-quality partners. Whether you are influencing skills policy, responding to changes in government strategy, or highlighting your impact on the workforce, clear and consistent communication is essential.
Your programme’s reputation in the public, political, and business arena depends on communicating your purpose, learner outcomes, and long-term vision in a way that builds trust and credibility.
Our experience shows that apprenticeship providers and employers who invest in proactive PR and advocacy are better positioned to attract applicants, influence policy, and secure lasting partnerships.
Services for organisations championing apprenticeships
We provide a comprehensive range of PR services to help you tell your story, engage stakeholders, and grow your programme’s reputation. Our offerings include:
Key messaging and positioning – We work with your leadership and marketing teams to define your value proposition, learner outcomes, and employer benefits, turning technical programme details into inspiring, accessible messages for learners, parents, and industry.
Skills policy tracking and advocacy – We monitor government skills strategies, funding announcements, and industry developments, ensuring you are ready to respond and influence debates. We prepare policy commentary, industry insights, and leadership briefings to keep you visible to decision-makers.
Media relations with national, education, and regional press – We build your media presence in outlets such as FE Week, The Times, and BBC News, as well as regional papers, sector magazines, and trade websites. This includes placing learner and employer success stories, opinion pieces, and thought leadership content across print, online, and social media channels.
Stakeholder engagement and events – We help you build and maintain relationships with MPs, local government, industry bodies, and education networks. This may include site visits, graduation events, skills showcases, and targeted briefings to raise awareness and influence policy.
Campaign strategy and recruitment marketing – We design campaigns that boost apprenticeship applications and employer sign-ups, combining PR with social media advertising, influencer outreach, and targeted media coverage.
Issues management and crisis communications – We prepare you to handle sensitive situations, such as negative press about completion rates or funding cuts, ensuring your responses are timely, accurate, and confidence-building.
Digital presence and online advocacy – We create and optimise online content to showcase your programmes, highlight success stories, and strengthen your visibility to learners, employers, and policymakers searching for apprenticeship opportunities.
We understand apprenticeship PR
We’ve worked with training providers, colleges, and employers to communicate the transformative impact of apprenticeships, from grassroots community initiatives to national-scale programmes. We know how to connect with multiple audiences from learners and parents to industry partners and political stakeholders, in a way that builds credibility and drives engagement.
One team for all your apprenticeships PR needs
To give you a sense of our full offer, our apprenticeship PR services can include:
Programme storytelling • Skills policy monitoring • Stakeholder mapping • Campaign strategy • Executive visibility • Social media advocacy • Media training • Press releases • Interview pitching • Sector-specific media relations • Reputation management •Crisis communications • Website and SEO optimisation • Content creation • Thought leadership
We are passionate about PR
Read about two of our success stories:
Baker Dearing Educational Trust - Bridgehead Education partnered with the Baker Dearing Educational Trust (BDET) to reshape the narrative around University Technical Colleges (UTCs) and highlight their growing success. Our campaign promoted key initiatives, including the UTC Sleeves model and an NHS partnership to train 30,000 digital health professionals by 2030. We secured 47 pieces of positive media coverage, reaching around 91,000 readers, including The Daily Telegraph, Times Radio, and sector titles such as The Manufacturer. We also managed crisis communications for the closure of Watford UTC, ensuring coordinated engagement with all stakeholders. Read More.
Natspec - Bridgehead Education supported Natspec in raising the profile of specialist FE colleges for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. Over 18 months, we secured 37 meetings with MPs and MSs, leading to Parliamentary Questions, debates, and letters on funding, VAT relief, and policy integration. Highlights included the February 2024 Natspec manifesto launch in Parliament, attended by key MPs and Lords. Our work also enabled students to engage directly with government leaders to advocate for the sector. Read More.
Further Reading
BBC - The Importance of Apprenticeships in England: Driving Diversity, Success and Growth within SMEs.
This article explores the pivotal role apprenticeships play in shaping the nation's workforce. It delves into how these programs bridge the gap between education and employment, offering young individuals practical skills and direct pathways into various industries. Read More.
Economics Observatory – How education and skills policy in England can drive productivity
England faces skill mismatches and regional disparities that limit economic growth, compounded by frequent policy changes and poor coordination. A more integrated education and skills system, aligned with economic strategy and supported by adequate funding, is crucial to boosting productivity. Read more.
FE News - The Importance of Both University and Apprenticeship Programmes
This article emphasises the need for a balanced skills policy that supports both university education and apprenticeship programs. It argues against reducing university funding for apprenticeships and advocates for increased employer investment in training to enhance UK productivity and economic growth. Read More.
