Date Created: 31 January 2012
Two Scottish schools have beaten off stiff competition to win the BNP Paribas Securities Services sponsored Stock Market Challenge.
Organised by Skills Development Scotland the event was designed as a world-of-work initiative that focused on helping pupls understand how financial markets operate and developing their applied maths skills and business understanding.
Coatbridge's St Andrews High were the toast of the trading floor on day one with a record breaking fund of £238,000 while Bearsden Academy's £58,100 was the top fund on day two.
Employees from BNP Paribas, one of the world's leading custodian and securities service provider, participated as "traders" to make the experience even more accessible for the pupils.
Jennifer Parihar, Head of Position Keeping and Control at BNP Paribas Securities Services, 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."
Ian Hanson of Skills Development Scotland added:
"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."
More than 50 schools from the west and south west of Scotland participated across the two days of the Challenge which was held at Glasgow's Mitchell Library.
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