Mark McCluskey

The firm will host two in-person Insight Days in July across BDO’s Glasgow and Edinburgh offices, giving 50 school, college and university students aged 16 and over the opportunity to gain valuable experience and learn about what a career in professional services could look like. 

UK-wide, the expanded programme has more than 1,100 student places available and comes at a time of increased focus on youth unemployment and access to work experience. Students will participate in interactive workshops, employability skills training, networking opportunities and social impact activities at a BDO office local to them. 

The programme supports the firm’s wider commitment to improving diversity and social mobility within the profession. It comes as new findings from BDO’s Young Minds 2026: The Unequal Advantage report show continuing gaps in access to work experience, careers advice and professional networks, specifically for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The research shows that over three quarters (78%) of young people in Scotland now use digital sources to inform their career decisions.

As part of its commitment to developing its people, the sessions will be run by BDO’s first year trainees across audit, tax, deals, and consulting, risk and outsourcing teams. The programme is designed not only to support students but also help BDO’s early career colleagues develop leadership, team building skills and community engagement skills through the firm’s citizenship initiatives.

Louise Sayers, head of people, culture and purpose at BDO, said:  “The transition from education into the workplace can feel overwhelming for many young people, particularly those who may not have access to professional networks or workplace experience through family or personal connections. 

“These Insight Days are designed to help young people better understand the opportunities available to them, build confidence and meet people who have already started their careers in the profession.”

Mark McCluskey, regional managing partner at BDO in Scotland, added: “We’re incredibly proud that our own trainees are leading these sessions. It’s important that students can see relatable role models and hear first-hand experiences from people at the beginning of their own career journeys.”