LONDON — Socially Mobile, a new organisation which aims to accelerate the career of PR practitioners from lower socio-economic backgrounds from a tactical to a management role and increase their earning potential, has opened for applications for its first executive education course.

The 10-week course will start with its first cohort in January 2022. As well as supporting those from lower socio-economic backgrounds working in the UK PR industry, the Community Interest Company (CIC) will support those from under-represented and under-served groups including Black, Asian and ethnic minority practitioners, women returnees, and those with disabilities.

Practitioners from these communities are invited to apply for a fully-funded place on the course by the 26 November deadline.

The Socially Mobile course consists of seven compulsory modules and three optional modules, covering areas such as creativity, planning, financial management and people management, technology and workflow, risk managament, change management, leadership and culture, and strategy and growth. The course also includes guest lectures on contemporary areas of practice, and each module includes formal learning, a masterclass, reading material and coursework.

Socially Mobile was founded earlier this year by Sarah Waddington and Stephen Waddington, who conceived the idea in 2018 as a means of addressing endemic issues within the PR industry relating to socially mobility. The organisation is funded by their own consultancies Astute.Work and Wadds Inc, along with sponsorship from FleishmanHillard UK, Porter Novelli, CoverageBook, Curzon PR, Don't Cry Wolf and Story Comms.

Co-founder Sarah Waddington said: “Opening up to our very first students is a big moment and we hope to make a significant difference to people’s career prospects through this important industry intervention. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has given their time, expertise and funding to make Socially Mobile a reality. If you know someone who could benefit, please make sure they find out about the course and apply.”