This paper explores the place of work experience in widening career options and raising aspirations of school students from low socio-economic backgrounds in urban areas. All school students in UK are required to learn 'about' work, 'for' work and 'through' work (QCA, 2005), the 'through' being often delivered via a work experience placement. While there is clear research evidence to confirm that access to work experience can be gender stereotypical (Hamilton, 2003; Francis et al,2005) and /or limited by class, gender and ethnicity (Hatcher and Le Gallais, 2008) there is also evidence to suggest that examples of effective ways of tackling inequality in work experience are still rare ( Miller et al, 2004). The need to attract more young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) qualifications continues to be a major concern within UK and beyond (CBI, 2009; DfES/DTI, 2006; INSEAD, 2009). Occupational segregation within the STEM subjects remains an issue of concern in many countries but the UK has the lowest percentage of female professional engineers in Europe (UKRC, 2007). There is clearly, considerable potential to do more for those young people who would not traditionally progress to STEM based careers. Expanding the access of young people in urban areas to good quality STEM placements could raise aspirations and widen their access to fulfilling future study and careers in STEM. The authors are part of a team that promote gender equality within STEM subjects including the development of stimulating work experience placements for girls and they are involved in a national project to enhance the careers awareness of all young people to STEM careers (DCSF, 2010). The paper draws on a number of case studies within projects to explore the issues schools face in urban areas in managing work experience and offers recommendations as to how urban schools can achieve good quality STEM work experience placements for all. The paper goes on to pose challenges and solutions to widen the access of girls to STEM subjects and careers.

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