From the wine aisle to Whitehall: How the Government Communications apprenticeship changed my career
After seven years in retail, George shares how the apprenticeship programme gave them the skills and confidence to build a career in government communications.
In 2023, I was approaching my seventh year working at Waitrose, selling beers, wines and spirits. I had an international relations degree, a real interest in government and politics, and a growing sense that I wasn’t making the most of either.
Like many people from the pandemic generation, I left university with limited work experience. Aside from my part-time job in retail, I didn’t have a traditional route into a career linked to government, and breaking into communications felt out of reach.
Challenging my assumptions about apprenticeships
I’m sharing my story because I used to think apprenticeships were only for 18-year-olds leaving school. After going to university, I assumed that a route into government communications wasn’t for me – but I was wrong.
A friend recommended the Government Communications Advance Apprenticeship programme. She had completed the programme herself and gone on to work across Whitehall, including roles in the Foreign Office and the Home Office. I’m thrilled to say her recommendation was spot on.
Learning on the job
My time as a Government Communications apprentice has been one of the highlights of my career. I joined a team full of experienced communications professionals, bringing with me strong people skills and a lot of enthusiasm.
Over 18 months, I learned how government communications really works – from handling press enquiries and shaping messages, to working closely with policy teams, senior leaders and other departments.
The apprenticeship offered structured learning alongside real responsibility, which meant I could immediately apply what I was being taught. I worked across press, social media and strategic communications, and supported high-profile announcements.
I even led activity for National Apprenticeship Week 2024, coordinating communications across government departments to celebrate apprenticeships nationwide. As an apprentice, I wasn’t observing from the sidelines – I was trusted to deliver work that mattered.
Finding my path
At university, I assumed shaping government policy was the only way to make a difference. I never expected communications to be the route that got me there.
Today, I am a Media Officer in the Department for Education working on the Early Years policy. My role involves delivering announcements linked to a major government priority which is giving children the Best Start in Life. That includes expanding funded childcare, rolling out free breakfast clubs, opening school-based nurseries and improving school readiness. It’s high-profile work that matters to parents and families across the country.
I can say with complete honesty that none of this would have been possible without my Government Communications apprenticeship. It gave me practical skills, confidence and a clear pathway into a fast-paced, high-impact career.
From retail to the briefing room
It still feels slightly surreal when I stop and think about it. I used to sell wine day to day; now I’m in briefing rooms, supporting front-line communications and briefings for the Secretary of State on key political priorities.
So if there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s that you don’t need a perfect CV or a traditional background to build a career in government communications. If you’re considering a Government Communications apprenticeship, absolutely go for it – it’s designed to help you succeed.