Wealth manager St James’s Place is offering virtual work experience to 500 young people with a three-day taster for those interested in a career in financial services. 

After being developed during the pandemic, it will be the fifth time the company has offered the virtual programme.

More than 6,000 young people have already taken part in the programme.

It aims to offer young people an understanding of what working in financial services and the financial advice profession could entail.

It's being held on 8-10 August and is aimed at school students in years 12 and 13 as well as those at university.

Those taking part will hear from financial advisers from a range of backgrounds, as well as speakers from across SJP, including those overseeing the SJP Academy programme.

The aim is to help participants to develop soft skills and provide broader employability training, the company said.

The sessions include work on personal branding, CV writing, interview techniques, harnessing social media and presentation.

The programme also includes the opportunity to work with others on a dedicated project, with the winning team taking home £500. At the end they will be presented with a certificate to mark their attendance and participation. 

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and there is a dedicated registration website with an application form and an overview of what the programme entails. 

Andy Payne, head of the SJP Academy, said: “This virtual, interactive work experience programme has been developed over the last few years as an ideal opportunity for young people from all backgrounds, educational qualifications and geographical areas to take part.

“It provides a comprehensive taster of what working in financial services, and in financial advice in particular, looks like. Virtual work experience that is genuinely accessible and flexible means that we are removing barriers to participation and opening up the opportunity to all.”  

The virtual work experience programme was first developed in 2020 during the pandemic in response to the lack of in-person opportunities and has been run and refined on four previous occasions. More than 6,000 young people have taken part.