Marvin OnumonuThe Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and Personal Finance Society (PFS) reported that over 6,600 young people took part in their insurance and personal finance virtual work experience programme since it launched in October 2023.
The programme was developed with Springpod to give students across the UK a better idea of what working in insurance and financial advice is like.
More than 2,300 students joined the insurance programme and over 4,200 took part in the personal finance course.
The online format meant students could join wherever they were in the country.
Of those taking the insurance programme, 48% were female, 57% were of non-white ethnicity, and 18% were eligible for free school meals.
For personal finance, the figures were 44% female, 66% non-white ethnicity, and 21% eligible for free school meals.
After completing the insurance programme, there was a 27% increase in students reporting ‘excellent awareness of careers in this sector’.
The financial advice programme saw a 24% increase.
Adam Harper, executive director, strategy, advocacy and professional standards at the CII Group, said: “The CII is committed to advocating for insurance and personal finance careers, and educating the next generation on the broad range of career paths that are available.
“We are delighted that so many young people have engaged with our Springpod virtual work experience programmes, and particularly that many of the participants come from groups who are typically underrepresented within our sector.”
