A Future in Finance is our education engagement programme, which aims to encourage young people to consider and explore financial services as an employment option. The programme has three core missions:
Inspire young people about the world of opportunities available for them in financial and related professional services
Break stereotypes about who works in the financial services and what kinds of opportunities are available in the industry
Enable young people from every background to identify the opportunities and pathways into the industry best suited to their skills and ambitions
We aim to support these missions by reaching young people with the following messages about the industry:
A future in finance is…
Digital: the world of finance is constantly adapting to new technology. Areas like data analytics, cyber security, software development, and artificial intelligence are helping to shape the industry and offer potential entrants the opportunity to develop complex and highly sought-after skills for their future.
Global: From Edinburgh to Tokyo, New York to Sydney, financial services is an industry that spans continents and time zones, making it an ideal opportunity for anyone who wants to see the world, or even those who are just curious about how the world works.
Green: Finance has a central role to play in solving the major challenges that exist today, from climate change to social and economic inequality. The industry needs the next generation of individuals who care passionately about these issues to help make positive change to our planet and society.
For everyone: Today’s financial services industry thrives through its diversity. It’s an industry that welcomes and encourages people from different backgrounds experiences and talents to enable its continued development. Whatever your race, sexuality, gender, or disability: there is a place for you in finance.
Career insights in education
Information for employers
Through FIF, SFE member firms get the chance to engage with young people from across Scotland and the opportunity to inspire them to consider their future in financial services.
Many member firms have their own programmes with schools, and the purpose of Future in Finance is not to replace or enforce change to existing programmes, but to complement these programmes with a unified message about financial services.
We rely on SFE member firms with an interest in supporting the next generation of talent to play an active role in FIF, by supporting the Young Professionals within their firm to deliver the programme via events, workshops and videos.
If you are an SFE member looking to get involved in FIF, register an interest below.
Information for educators
We work with educators in secondary and further education on a programme of activity aimed at giving students a broad range of learning experiences about the different careers available in financial services and the pathways available to young people from every background. We have delivered sessions for schools across Scotland with the help of partners like Future Asset, Investment2020 and DYW.
If you are an educator looking to get involved in FIF, register an interest below.
What is Future in Finance?
Future in Finance is our flagship education programme, encouraging young people to consider consider financial and related professional services as an employment path.
What does the programme entail?
Future in Finance focuses on engaging students and graduates who may be interested in joining our sector. It aims to help raise awareness of the scope of opportunities in the sector, while showcasing the potential for growth for aspiring professionals.
Delivering the programme:
45-60 min presentation and Q&A in a school, college or university classroom
Opportunity to present your organisation’s initiatives such as financial education programmes
Programme content:
A brief presentation about the sector in Scotland, the pathways into the sector and the types of roles young people could consider in financial services (content provided by SFE)
A brief presentation about the presenter’s own career journey and the work they do within financial services (guidance provided by SFE)
Who can get involved?
Anyone working in an SFE member firm can get involved in the Future in Finance programme. We encourage colleagues across all levels to engage with education and help us encourage more talented people to join our sector.
Benefits for volunteers
The programme provides an opportunity for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as volunteers develop their mentoring and communication skills through the delivery of the Future in Finance content in education.
A CPD certificate will provided by the Scottish Financial Enterprise.
Learning outcomes:
Develop presentation, communication & mentoring skills
Stay up-to-date with the developments in the sector in the region
Get actively involved in a professional body and support the sector’s strategic objectives
Career Pathways
There are a huge variety of roles within the financial services industry which require different skills and a diversity of people from across society to fill them.
Access to diverse and inclusive talent is a critical success factor for financial services in Scotland, and there are various pathways available into the sector, from apprenticeships to direct entry through, to graduate schemes. The sector also gives people opportunities to upskill, reskill and adapt to technological change.
Interested in a career in financial services? Here are some of the opportunities available to you:
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships represent an important pathway option into financial services. There are three types of apprenticeship in Scotland; Foundation, Modern and Graduate with programmes on areas from accountancy to digital marketing, and everything in between.
If you are interested in finding out more about Scottish apprenticeships, visit apprenticeship.scot for more information.
Colleges
There are 26 colleges across Scotland, with a range of courses from SVQs to Higher National Diplomas in a range of subject areas from Business & HR to Marketing and Computing, which are relevant to, and highly regarded by financial services employers.
Colleges also play a key role in helping to deliver Foundation Apprenticeships, for those looking to combine on-the-job experience with academic learning.
Visit Colleges Scotland to find out more about the variety of colleges in Scotland and the courses they offer.
Universities
Scotland has 19 universities, including three of the worlds top 200 according to The Times 2023 Higher Education World University Guide. There are courses available in a broad range of subjects, from Cyber Security and Software Development to Accountancy and Finance and alongside traditional undergraduate and postgraduate courses, a number of universities offer bespoke programmes to meet specific skills needs for employers.
Graduate programmes are a popular pathway into the sector and a number of SFE members offer opportunities for students seeking to launch their careers after graduation.
Find out more about Scotland’s universities here.