Why virtual work experience is a game-changer for young people

AAT launches their virtual work experience platform to break down barriers to access finance career opportunities.

When Julie Spence walked into numerous accounting firms in Glasgow with her CV in hand, she was fighting against statistics that reveal the harsh reality of access to work experience in the UK. New research from AAT shows that over two-thirds (69%) of young people believe it’s unfair that access to work experience often depends on “who you know” – a barrier that Julie, now 29, award-winning and running her own bookkeeping firm, knows well.

“The bigger firms, I didn’t hear any reply from,” Julie says of her early attempts to break into finance. “It was more the family-run firms I got a bit of interest from.” Her persistence paid off, but AAT’s new virtual work experience platform, launched in partnership with Springpod, means future generations won’t need to rely on the same combination of determination and luck.

The cost of opportunity

Julie’s story highlights research findings that reveal work experience remains a pathway heavily influenced by geography, cost, and personal connections. While 88% of young people believe work experience would help with job applications and 74% say it would clarify their future career choices, significant barriers prevent many from accessing these opportunities.

The financial reality is stark: 41% of young people have less than £8 per day to spend on work experience-related costs such as travel, food, and suitable clothing, while 8% say they simply couldn’t attend work experience unless expenses were fully covered. For Julie, who self-funded her AAT qualifications while working, these barriers were particularly challenging given her background.

“I struggled a lot paying for the qualification myself,” she explains. “I was fortunate that my mum and dad supported me a little bit, but not everybody has that. So, I think it’s fantastic that these opportunities are coming up for young people.”

Geographic inequality

The geographic challenge Julie faced in Glasgow reflects a broader national issue. AAT’s research shows that 40% of employers host work experience candidates in Greater London, despite only 31% of survey respondents being based there. This concentration of opportunities in urban centres leaves young people in smaller cities and rural areas at a significant disadvantage.

Julie’s clever idea was to complete online certifications for various cloud accounting software packages, demonstrating her commitment to the field. “I felt like my only way of gaining entry would be to showcase to employers that I might not yet have a qualification behind me, but I’m fully self-funding my own courses, and here’s what I’ve done in the meantime.”

This approach proved successful when Letham Cache, a small family-run firm, gave her that crucial first opportunity. However, as Julie reflects, “I wish virtual work experience was something that was available to me when I started this journey.”

The virtual solution

AAT’s online work experience program is all about tackling the inequalities that Julie beat with her grit. The platform removes cost barriers by offering an introduction to accounting and bookkeeping with opportunities to practice real-world skills and hear from industry professionals – all without the need for travel or accommodation costs.

The potential impact is significant: 67% of young people believe virtual work experience is more accessible, and 72% say it allows them to apply for placements outside their local area. For employers, who have been adapting their approaches with 19% now offering virtual placements over the last three years, this represents a powerful way to access diverse talent pools.

“Virtual work experience makes it possible for young people to gain early exposure to the world of work, wherever they are,” Julie explains. “Not everyone has access to placements on their doorstep, but this levels the playing field.”

Building confidence and skills

Julie’s journey from reluctant school leaver to successful business owner demonstrates the transformative power of work experience. After leaving school at 16 following bullying, she found herself in Business Administration instead of her preferred Drama class – a seeming setback that became the foundation of her career.

Her first work experience placement provided invaluable hands-on learning that complemented her AAT studies. “It’s very different putting certification knowledge into a real-life scenario,” she reflects. Starting with basic data entry and payroll processing, she gained an understanding of why processes matter: “We all know that staff need to get paid when it’s expected and it has to be accurate.”

This practical experience gave Julie confidence that purely academic learning couldn’t provide – something that 62% of young people worry about missing if they can’t access work experience, fearing it will negatively affect future job opportunities.

Addressing employer challenges

The research reveals that employers recognise the value of work experience, with 65% stating that it helps them identify future employees and 49% reporting an improved organisational reputation. However, 29% of employers struggle to find candidates from diverse backgrounds, and rising costs present challenges, with 29% saying increased operational and staffing costs affect their ability to pay students or cover expenses.

Virtual work experience offers employers a solution that provides flexibility while enabling them to access a diverse range of talent. As Sarah Beale, AAT CEO, explains: “Done right, virtual placements give employers flexibility and could provide a desperately needed talent pipeline, helping young people gain vital experience and develop transferable skills without financial or geographic limits.”

A catalyst for change

Julie’s experience of moving through different-sized practices – from small family firms to medium-sized businesses to large corporations – provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, informing her decision to start her own practice. Her firm has scaled rapidly in its first 18 months, earning Julie AAT’s ‘One to Watch’ Impact Award.

Now, Julie’s big-picture goal is about more than just her own success. She plans to establish an Accountancy Academy – creating a talent pipeline that addresses the UK’s shortage of skilled accountants and bookkeepers. “The reason why there’s such a shortage of good accountants and bookkeepers in the UK isn’t anything to do with not having the right type of talent,” she argues. “It’s not giving people the opportunity to uplift them and enable them to showcase what their possibilities and potential are.”

Levelling the playing field

The statistics paint a clear picture of inequality: while 77% of young people take part in work experience, more than a third (34%) rely on family contacts, and only 16% secure placements independently. This system perpetuates advantage for those with existing connections while excluding others based on postcode or family circumstances.

AAT’s virtual work experience programme represents a significant step toward addressing these inequalities. As Beale notes: “Too many young people are locked out of early career experiences simply because they don’t have the opportunities or the right connections. That’s a clear barrier to social mobility, and one we are determined to break down.”

A vision for inclusion and the future of work experience

Julie’s advice to young people facing similar challenges is: “If somebody says no, it doesn’t mean that the rest are going to say no. I tried to make it a bit of a game – I’m going to go out today and get 15 no’s, but for those 15 no’s, I’m one step closer.”

However, as Julie acknowledges, not everyone has the confidence or resources for such an approach. Julie is now committed to creating opportunities for others, and her big vision is to one day open an Accountancy Academy, demonstrating that there’s also a ripple effect of inclusive access to career development.

AAT’s virtual work experience gives young people a clear route forward without having to beat the system through sheer perseverance alone. “This is about investing in potential,” says Beale. “We want a profession that reflects the diversity of our communities and is open to all, not just those with the right postcode or connections.”

AAT’s virtual work experience programme is available at springpod.aat.org.uk. The research was conducted by 3Gem Research and Insights, surveying 1,000 14-18-year-olds and 350 UK companies in May 2025.

Sophie Cross is the Editor of Freelancer Magazine and a freelance writer and marketer at Thoughtfully.