BDO expands summer insight programme amid rising youth unemployment

BDO has expanded its summer insight programme. Amid rising concern within the media concerning the variety of folks under 24 years previous not in schooling, coaching or employment, the agency will increase its consumption to greater than 1,100 locations.

With greater than 1 million folks aged between 16 and 24 now falling into ‘NEET’ standing – not in employment, schooling or coaching – speak of a youth employment disaster is mounting within the UK press. With speak round AI making junior employees ‘out of date’, a worsening financial image main corporations to cut back recruitment, and graduate debt placing cautious would-be college students off of upper schooling, the federal government and personal sector are scrambling to exhibit an answer.

To that finish, BDO has expanded its summer insight programme for younger folks, with greater than 1,100 locations out there throughout the UK as a part of the agency’s continued dedication to enhancing entry to the accountancy occupation. The programme will ship 20 in-person Insight Days this summer, giving faculty, school and college college students aged 16 and over the chance to realize priceless expertise and study what a profession in skilled companies might appear like.  

College students will take part in interactive workshops, employability expertise coaching, networking alternatives and social impression actions at a BDO workplace native to them. As a part of its dedication to creating its folks, the periods will probably be run by BDO’s first yr trainees throughout audit, tax, offers, and consulting, danger and outsourcing groups. The programme is designed not solely to help college students but additionally assist BDO’s early profession colleagues develop management, crew constructing expertise and group engagement expertise by way of the agency’s citizenship initiatives. 

Louise Sayers, head of individuals, tradition and function at BDO, stated, “The transition from schooling into the office can really feel overwhelming for a lot of younger folks, notably those that could not have entry to skilled networks or office expertise by way of household or private connections. These Insight Days are designed to assist younger folks higher perceive the alternatives out there to them, construct confidence and meet individuals who have already began their careers within the occupation. We’re additionally extremely proud that our personal trainees are main these periods. It’s essential that college students can see relatable position fashions and listen to first-hand experiences from folks at their starting of their very own profession journeys.” 

The programme helps the agency’s wider dedication to enhancing range and social mobility inside the occupation. It comes as new findings from BDO’s Younger Minds 2026: The Unequal Benefit report present persevering with gaps in entry to work expertise, careers recommendation {and professional} networks, particularly for younger folks from decrease socio-economic backgrounds.