Junior Trader helps Year 12–13 students and undergraduates develop the commercial awareness, analytical thinking and decision-making skills valued by universities and employers. At the heart of the programme is our team-based, real-time investment challenge, approved as a Duke of Edinburgh Award Skill.

Students can also continue their journey through JT+, our self-paced development programme, and our guided financial heritage walking tours in London and Manchester, bringing the history and culture of the City to life.

Our mission is to make careers in finance more accessible to talented young people, whatever their background. Through bursaries, school partnerships and practical experiences, we aim to broaden access to opportunities that have traditionally been difficult to obtain.

Since 2008, Junior Trader has helped students strengthen university applications, secure internships and develop the confidence and commercial awareness to succeed in finance and beyond.

Session 1: The programme kicks off with a fast-paced introduction to graduate roles in the City, followed by a simulation of equities research and trading. Students form teams and compete in a stock-picking challenge.

Session 2: A deeper dive into “What Moves a Share Price” builds participants’ analytical skills, helping them construct a balanced portfolio of retail investments informed by real-world economic conditions.

Final Task: Each team submits a written report explaining their investment choices. Completion of this task earns students a Certificate of Attendance (and the DofE Skill recognition if applicable).

Ethos: Junior Trader is built on the belief that successful investing is about judgement, curiosity and integrity rather than simply predicting share prices. We encourage students to question assumptions, think independently, communicate their ideas clearly and learn from both success and failure in a supportive, professional environment.

Inclusion: Talent is found everywhere, but opportunity is not. Junior Trader is committed to widening access to careers in finance by working with schools, universities and community organisations to reach students from a broad range of backgrounds. Our programmes are designed to build confidence, commercial awareness and aspiration, regardless of previous experience or personal circumstances.

Bursaries: We never want cost to be the reason a motivated student misses out. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and partners, a number of bursaries are available each year to help students access Junior Trader programmes. If finances are a barrier, we encourage students to get in touch as we will always try to help where we can.