By Sydney Ball, PR Executive, Branagh PR
Starting my PRCA apprenticeship alongside my role at Branagh PR meant figuring out how to balance real client work with structured learning and assessments, all managed using Onefile Eportfolio. On top of the day-to-day tasks, I had to quickly adjust to logging off the job learning, recording my progress and keeping track of what would eventually be assessed. At first, it felt like a lot to manage. This blog explores how I have used Onefile’s Eportfolio and Learning Journal to get to grips with the challenge of balancing my studies with the day job.
When I first began using Onefile, I quickly realised how much the platform could support me throughout my apprenticeship. There’s naturally a lot to learn at the start, from understanding the PR standard to getting to grips with off‑the‑job learning but Onefile helped bring all of that together in one place.
As I explored the system, I gradually found the best ways to record my development and capture the right level of detail. Tools like the Learning Journal soon became genuinely useful. Having a single space to store my reflections made it much easier to understand what was expected and how each task connected to the apprenticeship requirements.
The more I used Onefile, the more confident I became navigating it and it quickly went from feeling new to feeling like an essential part of my routine.
Keeping on top of off-the-job (OTJ) learning can be tricky when you’re juggling a full-time job and apprenticeship work but Onefile has made it much more manageable. I upload my OTJ hours each month using the timesheets function, then submit them through the platform. What’s really useful is being able to see my hours in the overview, where it shows me my total logged hours as a percentage against my expected hours.
Being able to see instantly whether I’m on target, behind or ahead has completely changed how I plan my learning. If I notice I’m falling behind, I can adjust my schedule before it becomes a bigger issue. And if I’m ahead, it’s one task ticked off my list.
This feature has been invaluable as I move towards end-point assessment (EPA). It means I can track my learning consistently, rather than scrambling at the last minute to make sure I meet the OTJ requirement. It also gives me confidence that the hours I’ve logged are accurate and fully accounted for, which makes preparing for assessment feel far less stressful.
One of the most useful parts of Onefile is the Learning Journal. At first, I used it only to jot down thoughts after tasks were completed, but over time, I found it better to get into the habit of reflecting as I go, instead of trying to remember everything at the end of a busy period. Capturing reflections while projects are still fresh makes it much easier to explain what I learned, what went well, and what I would do differently. Looking back at earlier entries also shows how my confidence and understanding have grown.
As I prepare for EPA, this has been particularly valuable. Having a record of reflections means I am not starting from a blank page when it comes to explaining my learning and development. Instead, I have a clear narrative to work from, which makes it much easier to articulate my experience.
Having regular feedback from my coach has been a key part of the apprenticeship and Onefile has made that feedback much easier to engage with. The process of report submission is iterative, which means I can see every version I have submitted alongside my coach’s comments in one place. It is always clear what feedback relates to and how it connects back to the apprenticeship standard.
As I edge closer to EPA, I’ve found myself going back through previous reports and feedback stored on Onefile more and more. Being able to revisit has helped me spot where I was previously told that evidence was a bit light, or where certain KSBs needed more attention.
This has become even more valuable knowing that, during EPA, I will no longer have my coach there to check my work in the same way. Having that full history of feedback in one place means I can use earlier guidance to shape my EPA report writing and make sure I am including the best possible evidence to reflect my work.
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone starting an apprenticeship using Onefile, it would be to use the platform little and often, rather than only logging in when something is due. The more you engage with it as part of your routine, the more useful it becomes.
Seeing your portfolio as an ongoing record of learning, rather than a box to tick, makes a big difference. Uploading evidence regularly, reflecting as you go and taking time to respond to feedback helps build a clear picture of your progress. Using Onefile to your advantage helps avoid scrambling to fill gaps and leaves you feeling more confident in the work you have already done, especially as you move towards EPA.