Apprenticeship Training
Policy Officer Apprenticeships: Level 4 programme
Policy shapes how people live, work and get help. A policy officer helps decide what it says, how it is delivered and whether it worked.
Our Level 4 Policy Officer apprenticeship gives your apprentice the skills to research a policy area, test the evidence, brief senior colleagues and engage the people a policy affects. Over 18 months, they build a portfolio of real workplace evidence. They then complete their end-point assessment: a project proposal they present and are questioned on, and a professional discussion about their portfolio.
Policy officers work in the Civil Service, local authorities, charities, unions and private businesses. Typical job titles include policy adviser, policy analyst, policy researcher, insights officer and engagement officer. Read more about the Level 4 Policy Officer standard at Skills England.
Press Association is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, and we bring that world into the classroom.
Our trainers come from newsrooms and press teams, and have hundreds of hours of experience coaching spokespeople and communications teams across government and the public sector, including the Mayor of London's Press Office, Transport for London and the NHS. We have delivered apprenticeships since 2018 and were awarded 'Good' in all areas by Ofsted in September 2023.
We work in partnership with employers, and can help with the administrative, recruitment and onboarding steps of an apprenticeship. We also provide training for apprentices' line managers, so they know how apprenticeships work and how best to support their apprentice.
Details about our Apprenticeship
-
What apprentices learn
Practical training built around the apprentice's own policy area. Eight modules that cover the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard. A portfolio of workplace evidence, built as they go. Individual feedback to keep apprentices on course and engaged. Apprentices, line managers and tutors meet every three months to discuss progress.
-
Information for employers
We work with employers based across the UK. We start two open cohorts each year. If you have more than 12 apprentices, talk to us about a bespoke cohort. We can support you through the apprenticeship process if you're new to it.
-
Information for apprentices
Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to learn while you earn. Your employer sets the entry requirements for the role. You cannot apply for an apprenticeship with Press Association Academy directly. Instead, visit Find an Apprenticeship and search for policy opportunities. You can also check the websites and social media of employers directly.
Course modules
Alongside the modules, apprentices build the behaviours the standard asks for: seeking out learning, working collaboratively, acting ethically, adapting to change, taking ownership of their work and staying resilient under pressure.
Policy area and organisation
Understand the history, aims, issues and risks of your policy area, and how your organisation makes policy.
The policy environment
Make sense of the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that shape your work, and scan for what is coming next.
Evidence, research and data
Find reliable sources, test data for quality and bias, and use evidence to make decisions.
Stakeholders, engagement and consultation
Identify who matters, choose how to engage them, and negotiate with confidence.
Briefing and presenting
Write clear documents and present your findings to different audiences
Delivering policy
Plan projects, manage risk and budgets, and keep delivery on course
Evaluation and impact
Measure whether a policy worked, using methods such as cost benefit analysis and impact assessments.
Developing the team
Value diverse skills, spot training needs and help colleagues learn.
Apprenticeship FAQs
What is the end-point assessment?
Apprentices complete two assessments: a project proposal with a presentation and questioning, and a professional discussion underpinned by their portfolio. Each is graded fail, pass or distinction.
Do employers pay for training?
If your organisation pays the Apprenticeship Levy, then you do not need to contribute to training costs for your apprentices in England. If your organisation does not pay the levy, then you will need to contribute 5% of the training costs for your apprentices in England.
Can I train apprentices outside England?
Yes, we are happy to work with you on this. You will not however be able to fund them through the Apprenticeship Levy.
How can I apply for an apprenticeship?
Press Association Academy is not involved in apprentice recruitment. We are the training provider, not the employer. Search for vacancies on Find an Apprenticeship.
Are you inspected by Ofsted?
Yes, we were last inspected in September 2023 and awarded 'Good' in all areas. You can read the report here, or search the register under our former legal name, The Press Association Ltd.