One hundred year 10 pupils from 13 local schools experienced the excitement of the trading floor ‘virtually’ first hand, thanks to this First Campus-sponsored initiative.  The competition gave participants the chance to experience the excitement of buying and selling shares on a live trading floor. The initiative taught young people how the financial markets work and encouraged them to develop key skills such as application of number, communication, problem-solving, and working with others.

UWIC students took part as traders running the dealing pit and, together with First Campus staff, were on hand to offer information and advice to pupils about higher education opportunities.   The pupils worked in teams of five, trading in shares and foreign currency. Each team started with a £15,000 fund which they had to invest based on their interpretation of market information from newspapers, and from TV and radio bulletins.  The simulated live trading took place over a two-hour period, during which time the pupils built a portfolio of shares and currency by making decisions about when to invest and when to sell. The team with the highest valued fund at the closing bell wins.

Treorchy Comprehensive won the event with a portfolio value of £95,000. In second and third place were the two teams entered from Llanishen High School.  Anne Palmer, Head of Business Studies at Treorchy Comprehensive School, said: “Teams from Treorchy Comprehensive School have been taking part in the Stock Market Challenge since 2005.  I think that the event is excellent because it helps to develop the pupils’ team working and decision making skills.  The pupils also seem to enjoy the risk taking element and the excitement of the trading floor.  We were delighted to have come away with the first prize in this year’s competition.”

The project is not just about teaching young people about the financial markets – it is much wider than that.  It’s about encouraging them to work in a team, develop their communication skills and their decision-making ability – skills which will be vitally important to them when they enter higher education and the world of work, whichever career path they ultimately choose.

Chris Webb, UWIC’s First Campus Officer said: “At First Campus our aim is to raise awareness and aspirations of higher education.  Initiatives such as the Stock Market Challenge provide us with a fun and interactive opportunity to introduce university to young people whilst also developing their skills for the future and encouraging the next generation of business leaders to consider HE qualifications in business, finance, or accounting.”

The schools that took part are; 
Abersychan School
Duffryn High School
Fairwater High School
Lewis School Pengam
Llanishen High School
St. Julian’s Comprehensive
St. Teilo’s High School
Treorchy Comprehensive
Willows High School
Y Pant Comprehensive School
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni
Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw
Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr