SKILLS Development Scotland is pleased to announce that pupils from St. Andrew’s High School and Bearsden Academy have beaten off competition from over 50 schools from the West and South West of Scotland.
The competition, designed as a world-of-work initiative, was sponsored by leading global custodian and securities service provider, BNP Paribas Securities Services, and delivered in collaboration with Skills Development Scotland.
Hosted in Glasgow’s famous Mitchell Library, the challenge focused on teaching pupils how financial markets operate and helping them develop their applied maths skills and business understanding.
Coatbridge’s St. Andrews High stormed the trading floor at on Wednesday; emerging victorious with a record breaking fund of £223,800.
Bearsden Academy topped Thursday’s challenge with £58,100.
Scottish Government Minister for Skills and Learning, Dr. Alasdair Allan, said: “Having met some successful young players of the stock market, I have seen for myself the value of training our young people in the skills needed to succeed in the financial sector.
“Congratulations to this year’s pupils. I hope to see them take up careers and successfully play the stock market for real in the coming years!”
Employees from the sponsor BNP Paribas participated as ‘traders’ at the event, making the whole experience even more accessible. Participating schools also got a free year-long licence for the Stock Market Challenge online resource.
Jennifer Parihar, head of Position Keeping and Control at BNP Paribas Securities Services, also commends the educational aspect of the game.
She said: “The Stock Market Challenge is an event that many of our people look forward to participating in each year. It’s a great way to open up our business to a wider audience, and perhaps encourage new talent into the financial services industry.”
Skills Development Scotland’s sector manager for Financial Services, Ian Hanson, said: “This year’s Stock Market Challenge has been a great success for the pupils, who worked hard and showed terrific enthusiasm on the trading floor.”
“The competition is a fantastic way to help educate pupils about the financial markets in an enjoyable setting. This year’s challenge comes at a time when the diverse range of careers within the sector are being promoted, via the Financial Services Skills Gateway and on online websites such as re:think.”
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