WPR’s Next Gen Programme Shortlisted for National Award

WPR Next Gen has been announced as a finalist at the PR Internships and Apprenticeships Awards 2023, putting it in the running to be named PRCA’s best internship programme of the year.

Launched last year, Next Gen is WPR’s structured learning and insight programme, designed to inspire the next generation of comms professionals and broaden the pool of talent joining both WPR and the wider industry.

Open to agencies and in-house teams, the PRCA’s PR Internships and Apprenticeships Awards recognise those companies that are helping people acquire the skills and experience sought after by employers and needed to succeed in the PR industry.

WPR director of people and planning, Rebecca Williams, said: “We’re passionate about nurturing young talent. In fact, half of our 60-strong team first joined as interns or juniors.  

“From 16-year-olds researching their options, to young adults who have decided this is the industry for them, we want Next Gen to offer high-quality training and meaningful experience that will build their capabilities and provide a taste of agency life.”  

Over the last 12 months, WPR has partnered with the Taylor Bennett Foundation and 10,000 Black Interns as part of a wider DEI initiative to remove barriers to entering the comms industry and increase awareness of the opportunities available.

The Next Gen programme has proved exceptionally popular, with a 50% increase in applications when compared to the previous year and places consistently booked up eight months in advance. 

The news about this latest shortlisting comes hot on the heels of WPR winning an impressive eight PRCA Dare Awards and being named the PRCA’s large agency Workplace Champions 2023.