Date Created: 23 March 2012
"The competition is a fantastic way to help educate pupils about the financial markets in an enjoyable setting."
Scottish schoolchildren are showing they already have a good head for finance.
Pupils from Coatbridge and Bearsden beat off competition from over 50 schools from the West and South West of Scotland to win the Stock Market Challenge.
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 to develop their applied maths skills and business understanding.
Coatbridge’s St Andrews High stormed the trading floor 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 MSP 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."
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.
Skills Development Scotland’s Sector Manager for Financial Services, Ian Hanson said:
"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."