Improving Access to Data Careers for Young People

by Rob Jackson in London, Greater London, United Kingdom

We did it
On 20th December 2023 we successfully raised £26,377 with 156 supporters in 28 days

We want to expand our youth digital skills training programmes to include Data Analytics

by Rob Jackson in London, Greater London, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

Our stretch goal will help to pay for two more syllabus developments in the area of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) & Content Marketing and CRM. These careers sit firmly in our wheelhouse and will allow us to offer a greater variety of course options to the young people who apply to us.

The more types of careers we can support young people into the more outcomes we can achieve with our mission.


Who are WYK Digital

They say to get ahead in life it's all about who you know. We're working to change that, which is why we're called WYK (It's What You Know.)

WYK is a non-profit social enterprise set up with a goal to improve access to digital careers for young people from under-served and under-represented backgrounds. 

Over the last 3 years we have supported over 500 young people with our free to access, 11 week skills programmes that we are commissioned to deliver by the Prince's Trust and UK Government.

In 2024 we'd like to expand our offer to enable young people to land jobs in other areas of the digital economy.

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How we'll use the funding

In 2024 we want to create a brand new course to support even more young people in new areas of the digital economy. So far our work has focussed on digital marketing. We want to take our proven delivery model and apply it to a new programme focussing on Data Analytics. This process requires us to hire experts in these fields to develop these new syllabuses.

There is a shortage of qualified entry level talent across many areas of the digital economy. We want to help motivated young people realise their potential while supporting businesses at the same time.

This crowdfunding campaign will allow us to fully develop this new syllabus. Our commissioners, The Prince's Trust, Department for Education and the Greater London Authority will then pay us to deliver these courses to more young people who need our support in launching successful careers.

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Why this is important

Times have never been tougher for young people looking to get ahead. Research has shown that people from ethnically diverse backgrounds are facing a greater risk from the cost of living crisis. UK Parliamentary Research shows that you are 2.5 X more likely to be unemployed as an ethnic minority in the UK in 2023 versus those from white British backgrounds.

WYK enables our trainees to gain access to permanent work which pays at least the London Living Wage and has huge career growth potential. 

Our courses

Our innovative delivery method and course structure has proven that anyone with the right attitude, coaching and support can launch a successful digital career - regardless of background, education or experience.

We've helped to place young people into over 100 different employers by giving our trainees the skills, confidence and hands on experience needed to hit the ground running. Employers such as Google, WPP and Omnicom (some of the worlds largest media advertising agencies) hire our graduates because our training is completed to the highest standards.

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Our learner demographics

  • 78% of trainees are from minority communities
  • 48% do not have a university degree
  • Over 65% of trainees are female or non-binary
  • Over 70% are on Universal Credit
  • Around 20% have disclosed further support needs such as Dyslexia

We anticipate that if you were to buy a similar course to WYK on the open market it would cost over £5,000 (our course has over 110 hours of live tuition).

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Our impact

On average 70% of our trainees land permanent full time work in the digital sector. This is a career space that offers fantastic career prospects. The UK government estimates the digital sector to be worth £151 billion to the economy. Enabling access to this sector means our trainees can take part in the digital economy, help close the skills gap and provide employers with up-skilled motivated candidates.

Thank you

From the WYK team, from our trainees (WYKers) and from our wider community.

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Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£5 or more

Listed On Our Site as Benefactor

We want to make sure we say thank you to all our supporters. We'll host a new age on the site that lists all our donors on the campaign

£20 or more

A WYK Digital T-Shirt

Our partners at Nirvana CPH have crafted these organic cotton t-shirts with our logos on so that all your friends and family know you've supported us.

£40 or more

A WYK Digital Cap & Tote Bag

Go one step further and add a matching tote bag to your reward. The bags are made from organic cotton and recycled materials to a quality standard.

£60 or more

The Full WYK Merch Set - Cap, Tee & Bag

Grab yourself a complete set of WYK merchandise with the tee shirt, bag and stylish baseball cap.

£200 or more

Guest Invite to a Celebration Event

Ideal for company donations. We'll invite you or a member of your team to one of the end of programme celebrations for the new syllabuses. You'll take a seat as a guest of honour and get to see first hand, how your contribution has supported our young people.

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