Scotland's students take up the Investment Challenge

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Financial knowledge, quick decision-making and good teamwork are required in a competition challenging Scotland’s students to show their investment skills.

During October and November, S5 and S6 students will be challenged to work in teams to grow a virtual investment fund, making decisions on what to buy and sell based on their own research from incoming news stories.

The Investment Challenge is sponsored by BNP Paribas Securities Services in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and Global Investor Simulations. The event gives students the chance to pit their investment wits against each other whilst also hearing more about careers in the financial services industry.

Over nine hundred students will take part in the competition, in which they will compete using the Finance Lab business simulation. Volunteers from BNP Paribas Securities Services will visit schools to talk about opportunities in the sector and share their career journeys. 

The top schools from the Glasgow and Dundee regional qualifying rounds will compete in the final events on 13 and 14 December.

The Challenge

  • provides an applied learning opportunity for Business Education, Economics and Maths students
  • meets the objectives of the Financial Services Skills Action Plan and DYW strategy
  • is aligned to the SQA’s Skills for Learning, Life and Work framework
  • supports the industry challenge element of the Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services

Laura Wilson, Financial Services Sector Manager at Skills Development Scotland, said: “The competition provides students with an exciting insight into career opportunities in the sector, and promotes the development of key skills, such as communication and problem solving. SDS is here to support industry and schools as they continue to engage in these kinds of initiatives, which help develop young people’s future career pathways.”   

Watch a video of a BNP Paribas visit to Hillpark Secondary during a previous Investment Challenge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXWKMCPLYs

The Investment Challenge is open to schools in the West and North East regions. If your school would like to take part, please complete the registration form

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PWNSWYN