Healthcare Communications Training Programme
The Taylor Bennett Foundation’s & Healthcare Association’s (HCA) inaugural four-week Healthcare Communications Training Programme is a paid full-time, intensive training programme in healthcare communications. The programme has been designed to increase ethnic diversity within the healthcare communications profession, equipping recent graduates with the relevant networks, knowledge and skills to springboard their career into the healthcare communications industry – a sector that plays a vital role in shaping public understanding, patient trust and health outcomes, yet remains under-represented in terms of ethnic diversity. No previous experience required in science, healthcare or communications is required.
Applications for our 2026 Healthcare Communications Training Programme are now open! The Healthcare Communications Training Programme will run from Monday, April 20th – Friday, May 15th 2026.
TBF & HCA Healthcare Communications Training Programme Information Webinar
Want to learn more about the Healthcare Communications Training Programme? Join us on March 5th (12.00pm-12.45pm) to hear more about what the 4-week programme entails, our application process and how to submit a strong application. To sign up for the webinar, click HERE.
About the Programme
Open to graduates from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background, our Healthcare Communications Training Programme is a four-week traineeship that aims to provide you with the fundamental skills, insights and training to kickstart a career in the Healthcare Communications industry.
Designed in partnership with the Healthcare Association (HCA), the programme has been developed under three key pillars of building connections with industry professionals (and fellow trainees),learning essential skills for a career in healthcare communications and gaining the tools and confidence to secure an entry-level role.
All traineeships are paid through a training allowance of the national minimum wage (in line with your age) and an additional amount to cover travel expenses up to Zones 1-3.
Introduction to the Healthcare Programme Partners
The Healthcare Communications Training Programme is delivered in partnership with six leading healthcare agencies:
We’re a full-service medical communications and events agency.
We fuse lateral thinking with audience-first principles and seamless logistics to surprise and delight – and make life in pharma easier.
Mearns & Pike
Mearns & Pike are a healthcare communications and PR consultancy, connecting clients in health and life sciences with the people who matter most through campaigns that engage both the heart and the mind.
Ignition Consulting partners with the pharmaceutical & biotech industry, as well as agencies in the medical, communications, & creative sectors to help solve three critical challenges: igniting critical thinking, accelerating potential and optimising partnerships.
We are a global integrated healthcare communications agency. We combine outstanding healthcare expertise – responsible, scientific, life-changing work that is data-driven and code compliant with exceptional consumer understanding – trend setting thinking, driven by sharp strategies and bold creativity. Above all, we are human.
We are the largest independently owned and financed company in the healthcare communications sector. We offer trusted and proved expertise in services encompassing strategic communications, medical affairs, value demonstration, patient engagement, AI and data science, publications and more.
We are an award-winning group of agencies driven by the same core values and a common belief that lives can be transformed through better health communication. Resonant Group companies provide strategic and operational support for medical communication, healthcare communications and patient engagement.
Programme Outline
The Healthcare Communications Training Programme is a holistic in-person, full-time, cohort-based traineeship where up to 6 graduates will be accepted onto the UK cohort. To see our frequently asked questions on the programme, please click here. The Healthcare Communications Training Programme will run from Monday, April 20th – Friday, May 15th, 2026.
Employability & Pastoral Support
Employability is embedded throughout the 4-week programme to ensure you have the tools to plan your future in the healthcare communications industry. This includes 1-2-1 mentoring from our programme partners team members, bi-weekly development check-ins, CV & cover letter workshops, mock interviews & job applications support.
Skills Development
Practical training on what working in healthcare communications entails. This includes gaining knowledge, experience and learning on how to bring an ‘outside view’ to clients. The programme will help you develop a number of professional skills such as research, message development, managing your own reputation and using creative tools to convey messages with impact.
Training
Immersive in-person workshops delivered by our six partners that provide an insight into the world of healthcare communications, and how this intersects with politics, media and social issues. Some training will include learning how to patient storytelling, medical affairs, ethics in healthcare, social media and behaviour change.
Masterclasses
Weekly in-person masterclasses delivered by our partners to showcase and help you decide the area of healthcare PR you would love to go into. From medical affairs, issues management and the product lifecycle to campaign creation, media relations, purpose and impact, there is something for everyone!
Networking
Through our weekly masterclasses, partner workshops and facilitated alumni events, trainees will have numerous opportunities to build relationships not only with their peers on the programme but the wider communications industry.
Programme Eligibility
In order to participate in the Healthcare Communications Training Programme, you must be from a Black, Asian and/ or minority ethnic background.
You must be a graduate who has graduated within the last three years (or a final year student that will be finished with their studies by the time of the programme). We accept applications from graduates who have studied any subject.
You must be a British national or have the right to work in the UK by commencement of employment.
You must be interested in the work of our six programme partners and in pursuing a career in Healthcare Communications.
You must be able to commit to the full in-person programme, which will be full-time and based in London (Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.30pm).
A background in science or healthcare communications is not required to be successful! We are seeking potential over experience and those that are willing to learn.
How to make a strong application
We are seeking potential over experience.
We invite applications from those who demonstrate curiosity (a genuine interest in how organizations can make an impact in the world, an awareness of events and current trends and a desire to understand the key issues organizations need to navigate today) and openness (willingness to collaborate, share knowledge and be a part of the team).
We want to understand what it is about healthcare communications that appeals to you and why you want to learn more about Communications as a career path.
We are also seeking strong communication, listening and writing skills. We want to see candidates that can demonstrate discretion, empathy and the ability to relay a point of view concisely.
We are seeking candidates that can demonstrate analytical and creative thinking.
Specifically, we are looking for the ability to think strategically and creatively in order to cut through complex issues and solve problems.
How do I apply?
Applications for our Taylor Bennett Foundation & HCA Healthcare Communications Training Programme are currently open! To apply for the programme, please submit a written application form. Applications for the Healthcare Communications Training programme will close on Friday, March 20th 2025 (11.00am).
Healthcare Communications Training Programme Information Webinar
To learn more about Healthcare Communications Training Programme and what it entails, sign up to our online webinar on March 5th (12.00pm-12.45pm). To sign up, please click here. The webinar will also be recorded and shared with all that RSVP.
Once applications have closed, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an initial virtual interview with the Foundation.
If successful, applicants will be invited to attend a final stage in-person assessment day on April 15th 2026 (a virtual pre-assessment briefing will be provided ahead of the assessment day).
If you have any queries regarding the Healthcare Communications Training Programme or application process, please contact applications@taylorbennettfoundation.org.
