The Scotsman

Initiative highlighti­ng financial services as career set for take-off

- By EMMA NEWLANDS emma.newlands@jpimedia.co.uk

Plans are under way to launch what is billed as Scotland’ s first nationwide schools programme for financial services, which aims to support thousands of young people a year from a range of background­s.

The move follows two years of planning and the comple - tion of a successful pilot in Edinburgh involving companies including Baillie Gifford, Nucleus Financial and Standard Life Aberdeen.

The SFE Financial Services Unified Schools Programme, run by Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) in partnershi­p with Developing the Young Workforce and Skills Developmen­t Scotland, was establishe­d to encourage and inspire school pupils to consider and explore the career opportunit­ies offered by financial services.

The pilot took place in November and saw six highschool pupils partnered with financial services firms based in the Scottish capital, also including Blackrock, HSBC, and Lloyds Banking Group.

The first two days were spent in the firms’ offices, and on the third and final day, participan­ts worked with a film crew from Edinburgh College and informatio­n technology consultanc­y S opra Steria to cre - ate a video of their experience.

It is hoped that the programme will more than doub let he number of participan­ts next year and expand into Glasgow, with the longterm aim to support up to 5,000 young people through the programme across Scotland annually.

SF E chief executive Graeme Jones said great effort has gone into ensuring that the programme can provide firsthand experience and show the variety of “world-class career opportunit­ies available on the pupils’ doorsteps”.

He added :“As the landscape of financial services evolves rapidly, we need a step-change in the diversity of our workforce to ensure we connect with the needs of customers. Our ambition is to inspire school pupils from all corners of Scotland, and all background­s, to help us innovate and improve the financial well-being of society.”

Skills Minister Jamie Hep - burn said :“Scotland’ s financial services sector is vitally important to the future of the Scottish economy. That is why the Scottish Government, through Developing the Young Workforce and Skills Developmen­t Scotland, are delighted to support the Scottish Financial Enterprise United Schools Programme, which is providing young people with firsthand experience of the sector and helping better prepare them for the world of work.”

He also stated that such opportunit­ies help young people “to make an informed choice that will lead them to a rewarding career”.

Colin Hal pin, SF E board director, Unified Schools project lead and HSBC director, said: “This programme has not only created a unique experience for the six young people who took par t but it has showcased the power of collaborat­ion.

“With half of the pilot group now considerin­g a career in financial services, compared with none at the beginning, this offers a strong test case to explore what can be achieved on a larger scale.

“If we can inspire more of Scotland’ s school pupils to consider a job in financial services our industry, economy and wider society stands to benefit.”

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