GCS Advance: Practitioner
The GCS Advance Practitioner programme is primarily designed for those early in their government communication careers, providing a strong foundation in professional communications skills, or those who wish to refresh their knowledge or gain new perspectives.
Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced communicator, this programme offers comprehensive training in professional communications skills, including the latest tools and technologies. It’s an excellent opportunity to enhance your expertise and stay current in the ever-evolving world of government communications.
Why participate in the GCS Advance Practitioner programme?
GCS Advance Practitioner offers a comprehensive training programme designed to equip you with the essential tools and skills to make a meaningful impact in your role.
The programme is designed with you at the forefront. Being fully digital, GCS Advance offers you the freedom to learn anytime, anywhere! Interactive activities and knowledge checks throughout the programme will help you consolidate your learning.
On successful completion of the full programme you will achieve 30 CPD points and receive a certification that recognises your achievements and supports your individual development.
Registration
Registrations for current cohort are now closed.
Next cohort will be in Spring 2025.
What is GCS Advance Practitioner?
GCS Advance Practitioner programme is made up of six core and two elective courses across a range of communications disciplines, which have been developed alongside senior GCS stakeholders and communications experts to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in government communications.
In addition to digital learning, you will get a unique opportunity to attend online expert-led masterclasses and speak to the communications experts.
Learn more about the programme and why you should sign up today from Simon Baugh, Chief Executive of Government Communication in the Cabinet Office, Government Communication Service (GCS)
Core courses
AI for communicators
In the workplace, as in society, we have only begun to realise the potential of artificial intelligence. The pace of change over the last year has been rapid and there are many opportunities and challenges for communicators to understand. This course will enable you to use AI effectively and with confidence.
Campaigning excellence
Delivered well, government communications campaigns can save lives, as well as change them for the better. It is communications that informs citizens about access to vital government services that can help them. This course will teach you how the UK, a world leader in government communications, plans, executes, and evaluates all our campaigns.
Data and insight for communicators
The use of data and insights in informing how we, as communicators, plan and evaluate our activity has become more critical than ever before. Data and insights are the key to evidence-based decision-making. They help us understand the needs, concerns, and aspirations of our target audiences, ensuring our messages resonate and our campaigns have maximum impact.
Digital communications
More people than ever now receive some, if not all of their information online. With this approach being the new normal, it’s essential that organisations have digital at the heart of their communication strategies. As communicators, we should strive to be at the forefront of digital communications to ensure we are not left behind.
Communications and strategic engagement
Being able to understand and work with your stakeholders is a core communication skill, whatever your role or grade and in all environments. In this course, we will look at how to identify and map your audience groups, ensuring you can make the key links against your strategic communications objectives to deliver successful events and activities, with maximum impact.
Working with the media
A well-functioning press office is one of the key components of a successful communications team and a crucial conduit for the relationship between government bodies of all kinds and journalists. Both serve to strengthen accountability and provide a link with the public we serve
Elective courses
In addition to the six core courses, you will be able to select 2 of the below electives to personalise your learning experience and shape your skill set to match your individual career goals.
A behavioural approach to communications
Learn how to use tools and techniques to better understand your audience, why they behave in the way they do and how to identify any barriers to changing their behaviour.
Crisis communications
Get a robust foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that pivot around the three pillars of the Crisis Communications Operating Model.
Understanding mis- and disinformation
Learn to use the RESIST framework, to reduce the impact of false, misleading, and manipulated information on society and national interests, in line with democratic values.
Introduction to national security communications
Learn the basics of working in national security communications and hear how communicators in this space develop resilience as they work to protect the UK.
Hear from GCS Advance Practitioners
How has the GCS Advance programme supported you in your role as a government communicator?
It’s been really helpful. It’s brought together all the different elements of government communications in one place – some elements are things I use on a daily basis, and it’s been great to consolidate best practice relating to my particular area, the press office.
I’ve refreshed some skills I don’t use as much in my current role and learned some really useful new skills, particularly around how to make use of AI, tell stories with data, and effectively counter mis and disinformation.
What key skills or knowledge have you gained from the programme that you apply regularly in your job?
It’s about the the breadth of learning, this includes modules on digital comms, campaigning excellence, comms & strategic engagement, working with the media and behavioural approach, to name but a few, the combination allowed me to have the strategic insight to further exemplar with confidence the absolute GCS correct approach in these areas. Instinct, your learning, and experience to date will take you so far, but having the programme rubber-stamp your attainment adds another string to your metaphorical bow. I’ve already amplified this learning and shared best practice in a team environment. Everyone benefits, so thanks GCS Advance!
Eligibility and Cost
GCS Advance Practitioner is available for communications professionals in the UK government departments, ALBs (including embedded communicators) and devolved administrations at no extra cost.
Learn more about GCS Advance
Watch the GCS Advance call with Simon Baugh, GCS Chief Executive, who hosted a special edition for the launch of GCS Advance, a new learning and development programme for communicators
Frequently asked questions
We find on average each course within this programme takes 4-5 hours to complete. You have 6 months to complete all courses including your electives.
No, there is no additional per person cost for communications professionals in departments, ALBs (including embedded communicators) and devolved administrations.
You don’t need line manager approval to register but you should discuss and agree your L&D with your line manager.
Each course is worth 5 CPD points. Completion of the whole programme is worth 30 points.
No, you do not need to start with the core courses. All courses are open and you can work through them in any order. A reminder that you only need to complete two elective courses and all six core courses so we would recommend you prioritise those before taking any electives.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to speak to the GCS Advance Team, contact us via email: courses.support@cabinetoffice.gov.uk