WYK Digital marks 50th employability cohort and launches 2026 Impact Report from new Vauxhall base

As youth unemployment tops a million, WYK unveils a Media Planning bootcamp built for an automated industry

WYK Alumni at launch event

LONDON, 9 September 2026 - WYK Digital, the not-for-profit social enterprise supporting young people into digital and tech careers, last night marked a double milestone at its new offices in the Pan Centre, Vauxhall: the graduation of its 50th employability cohort, and the launch of its 2026 Impact Report.

The event brought together WYK trainees, alumni, employer partners and funders to mark six years of the organisation's mission - giving young people facing barriers to work the skills, confidence and connections to build careers in digital marketing, media and advertising.

A labour market moving the wrong way

The milestone lands against a backdrop WYK's founder, Rob Jackson, describes as a “labour market trending in the wrong direction for young people”. UK youth unemployment climbed from 10.5% in 2023 to 11.6% in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics, and there are now 981,000 16- to 24-year-olds not in full-time education or employment - 392,000 of them unemployed, 595,000 economically inactive (Youth Employment UK, April 2025). Overall youth unemployment has risen to more than a million.

University leavers aren't spared either. The Institute of Student Employers found the average employer received 140 applications per graduate vacancy last year - a 59% year-on-year jump, and the highest figure recorded in more than three decades, at the same time as university has become more cost-prohibitive than ever, and competition for entry-level roles has hit its highest point in a generation.

That squeeze is being compounded further up the industry's own value chain. PMW reported this year that PPC salaries have plunged 21% as automation reshapes the industry. Google has spent September migrating search advertisers onto its AI Max product with no opt-out, and Meta continues folding more of its ad buying into Advantage+ - changes commentators say are steadily absorbing the manual, dashboard driven work junior digital marketers have traditionally cut their teeth on. Agencies have already cut more than 18,000 roles across Omnicom, Dentsu and IPG in the past 18 months alone, with WPP reducing headcount by thousands more.

View from WYK’s new offices at Pan Arts, Vauxhall

Where WYK is placing its bets

"WYK is strategically placed to take on these challenges with employer-led provision that supports learners regardless of support needs, education, background or training," said Rob Jackson, Founder of WYK Digital. "With our new GLA Adult Skills Fund provision and other upcoming programmes, we plan to train 750 young people in the next 12 months.

"One of those is our new Media Planning skills bootcamp; a course built directly from industry feedback that more activation roles are being powered by AI. It covers Digital OOH, Client Leadership and Strategy, all of which are far more resilient to AI encroachment than the manual bid and keyword work the platforms are increasingly doing themselves."

The scale of the challenge is matched by momentum in WYK's own numbers. This year's Ofsted inspection called WYK's results "a remarkable achievement from a relatively new provider," and the organisation has now secured its third Direct Award from the Greater London Authority. WYK trainees are twice as likely to be promoted against their peers, with an average starting salary of £28,000. Trainees receive training worth £5,500 and employers have claimed over £3.4 million in training support through WYK partnerships to date.

Since 2020, WYK has supported more than 1,300 learners, achieving a 69% positive outcome rate within six months of course completion and connecting trainees with over 200 hiring businesses.

Last night's event at Pan Centre Vauxhall gave funders and partners a first look at the 2026 Impact Report alongside the graduating 50th cohort — a milestone WYK says reflects both the scale of need among young people, and the growing appetite among employers for a pipeline of work-ready, AI-literate talent.

About WYK Digital

WYK Digital is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has supported young people into digital careers since 2020. Its free-to-access, government-funded courses give trainees the skills, confidence and industry connections they need to build careers in digital marketing, media and advertising, regardless of prior experience, education or background. WYK works with employer partners across the private and public sectors, and its curriculum is shaped directly by industry feedback to keep pace with a fast-changing sector.

About Pan Centre

Pan Centre is a newly refurbished, large, multi-purpose community space in the heart of Vauxhall (with excellent transport links!), which can be used to suit a range of needs including workshops/events/away days, exhibitions, and flexible working. Award-winning London charity Pan Intercultural Arts have created a space which works for communities, organisations and artists who seek space and connection – and are always on the lookout to hear from likeminded people, particularly in the creative and charity sectors to help the space flourish for future generations. For more information or to discuss a bespoke hire package, contact post@pan-arts.net or head to www.pan-arts.net.