The purpose of this study was to describe the recent extent and distribution of work experience of young people in Scotland, using data from the Scottish Young People's Survey (SYPS). SYPS, based on a 10 percent sample of all schools in Scotland, is conducted biennially in spring by mail and achieves a response rate of around 80 percent. In the 1987 survey, 20 percent of the respondents reported that they had had a work experience placement. Analysis of earlier surveys indicated that this was the highest percentage over the past decade. The range across local education authorities for work experience was from 12 percent to 32 percent. More girls, 22 percent, went on work experience than boys, 18 percent. The 5 Technical and Vocational Education Initiative (TVEI) pilot projects had 70 percent of their students in work experience placement. The extent of part-time work during the school term was 45 percent, compared to the 20 percent of work experience placement. A greater proportion of girls than boys had a part-time job. It is suggested that the use of students' own part-time jobs could help to achieve work experience for all students. Integrating the part-time work of some pupils into work experience provision would enable schools to concentrate on finding additional placements for the 44 percent of students who have neither part-time jobs in term-time nor go out on work experience. (23 references, 10 tables) (CML)