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It’s National Apprenticeship Week: Meet Niamh Horner

Apprenticeships offer a unique way to gain real-world experience while studying. Having recently completed her Level 4 PR and Communications apprenticeship, Niamh Horner reflects on her time as a PR and Communications Assistant at The Big Life group, sharing the skills she’s gained, the challenges she’s overcome, and why she believes apprenticeships are a great alternative to traditional career paths:  

What made you choose an apprenticeship over other career paths, like university or full-time work?

I chose the apprenticeship route because it gave me the chance to learn and work at the same time. This meant I could learn from both the role and the teaching, and implement the two together to build my experience. Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Communications while studying the industry in depth. 

How did you find out about this apprenticeship opportunity? 

I found the opportunity through the Government website. It’s a good resource for anyone looking for apprenticeships as it covers lots of different industries. 

What does a typical day in your role look like? 

No two days are the same, which is one of the things I love most about working in Communications.  

Every day is completely different. I am always working on different things – for example, I’ll often be assisting with content creation and campaign work whilst also working on things like events, film editing, drafting presentations, etc.  

What are some of the key skills you’ve learned so far? 

One of the biggest skills I’ve developed is attention to detail—in Comms, every word and every visual matters and needs consideration. I’ve also learned how to work confidently on my own, leading on tasks and projects. Another important skill is staying up to date with industry trends to help make sure our work stays relevant and effective. 

Have there been any challenges, and how have you overcome them? 

I had some challenges in my personal life during my apprenticeship, which made balancing work and study more difficult at times. I overcame them by being open and honest with my manager, Nathan, and my tutor, reaching out for support when I needed it.  

How did you balance studying with your work responsibilities? 

I made sure to set aside dedicated time each week for assignments and learning. Having a structured approach made a big difference. 

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about apprenticeships? 

You learn far more than you expect! The course covered everything from broad public relations principles to specific topics like crisis management, and even though not everything was directly relevant to my current role, it’s all knowledge that will help me in the future. An apprenticeship sets you up for the future.  

If you could sum up your apprenticeship experience in three words, what would they be? 

Insightful, inspiring, and creative! 

Find out more about our work at The Big Life group. Whether in paid positions or specific volunteering roles, we regularly have opportunities across the group’s services.