During National Apprenticeship Week the PFCC celebrated by congratulating its very own Public Relations and Communications apprentice Olivia Harrington-Lodge.
During the past 18 months, Olivia has been studying a Level 4 Public relations and Communications course with The JGA Group for her apprenticeship.
This week Olivia’s final mark for her apprenticeship was revealed and she has achieved an excellent ‘distinction’. Olivia was congratulated by Jane Gardner, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
For her final end of project assessment, Olivia was challenged to create her own campaign relating to her organisation and from this, creating a PowerPoint presentation, report with annex evidence and mapping and a knowledge test based on her monthly online classes.
Olivia’s final project was titled ‘Raising awareness of the PFCC activity to reduce road death in Essex’.
This project fitted well with the release of the PFCC Police and Crime Plan and Fire and Rescue Plan plans for 2024-2028 and alongside this, it was National Road Safety Week, so it was a perfect chance to raise awareness of such an important issue.
Over the last 18 months, Olivia has been studying her course but also getting a taste of life at the PFCC.
Her duties at the PFCC consisted of creating a weekly newsletter, managing social media platforms, and creating content for social media pages using Canva. Olivia attended public meetings and learnt how to use a camera for filming and livestreaming. Olivia also helped with contacting venues and raising purchase orders, all types of skills that she can take with her in a future career.
Olivia said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the PFCC, I have met some amazing people and have had the best team that have given me amazing support throughout. Public Relations and Communications is definitely the career path that I want to take and the PFCC has helped me discover that.
“Working in this area was something I hadn’t ever thought about, however I have gained quite an interest in this line of work and have really enjoyed it. From managing social media, creating content, designing the newsletter weekly and attending events and so much more, I have really gained so much confidence in this particular role which I feel has given me a great kick start into the Public Relations world.
“I am very grateful not just with the support from the PFCC and my communications and engagement team, but also with the support I have had from The JGA Group. Although the whole apprenticeship scheme was based online, the communication and support has been fantastic! I have loved every second of working at the PFCC and my apprenticeship and I believe having worked here will definitely lead me to a bright future.”