More than 3,800 young people have benefited from insurance and Financial Planning virtual work experience programme during the first year of its operation.

The programme was developed by the CII and PFS in partnership with Springpod and launched in October 2023.

The immersive programme is designed to bring the insurance and personal finance professions to life for young people across the country.

Through virtual modules, quizzes, activities, webinars, discussions, and roundtables, participants gain foundational knowledge of insurance and Financial Planning, and the various pathways available across the two professions. The programme is free and open to anyone aged 13 or above, and available in an on-demand format.

So far, almost 1,400 students have engaged with the insurance programme, while the personal finance programme has attracted more than 2,400.

The organisations said the virtual nature of the programme has removed traditional socio-economic barriers to work experience.

That is reflected in course enrolment, with insurance being 48% female, 63% from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and 22% eligible for free school meals.

The figures are broadly similar for those who have registered with the personal finance content programme, with 44% female, 66% from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and 22% eligible for free school meals.

Claire Bishop, career partner manager at the CII, said: “We curated this interactive, experiential programme with Springpod to help young people learn about the world of insurance and Financial Planning.

“We’re giving an opportunity to young people to experience the professions first-hand, understand the skills and characteristics needed to be successful, and make informed decisions with regards to their career paths.”

She said the bodies want to communicate how diverse the professions are, and dispel a few myths along the way. “It is clear that most people do not comprehend the variety of opportunities available, or how interesting and important the sector is to business and wider society. We have big ambitions to change that.” 

Next year the CII plans to offer in-person experiences for the most engaged participants in the programme, including a careers insights day and in-person work experience opportunities.