Social Mobility Foundation- paid training programme
wx.accelerate is a paid 9-month training programme for over 21s who have the ability and desire for a career in the PR industry,
The SMF have recently been engaging with W Communications, the multi-award-winning public relations agency, regarding their paid 9-month training programme for graduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds: wx.accelerate.
- The SMF plans to share this opportunity with our undergraduate students but as media and communications is one of the smaller sectors within our cohort of students, we wanted to get in touch in case it were of interest to any of the young people you support, as it looks to be a great opportunity.
The London media and communications industry is notoriously inaccessible to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, so we are keen to ensure that any eligible individuals, whether supported by the SMF directly or otherwise, have the opportunity to apply.
wx.accelerate is a paid 9-month training programme for over 21s who have the ability and desire for a career in the PR industry, but who lack the networks, means or experience to get there. It will consist of a 9-month rotational placement working across W Communication’s core teams, and will offer a comprehensive induction into the PR industry and the ongoing WX training programme.
WX is open to over 21s graduating in 2021 as well as those that have graduated in the last couple of years. Applicants also need to meet the following eligibility criteria: - Attended a UK non-selective state school (e.g. comprehensive school) for the majority of their education between ages 11-16 AND
- Be the first generation in their family in to attend university in the UK OR
- Have been personally eligible for Free School Meals during their time in secondary education (household income of less than £16,190).
In our conversation with W Communications they have also suggested that they will look at all applications from care-experienced individuals even if they don’t meet the other eligibility criteria.
Applications are open now and close on 28 June 2021. You can find more detail on WX Communications here, and the wx.accelerate programme here.