Girls from three Lanarkshire schools are battling it out with rivals from across Scotland in a contest to prove they can be the next stars of the investment industry.
Students from Carluke High School, Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld and Calderside Academy in Blantyre are among over 70 teams from 48 schools taking part in the Growing Future Assets Competition.
The contest, which aims to introduce senior girls to the world of investment and its range of careers, sees the teenagers vying to spot the next big investment opportunity.
It is hoped the project can help to nurture a future generation of female investment experts.
Financial educators Future Asset are challenging a total of 320 girls, divided into teams of 13-18-year-olds to research, analyse and pitch a company they think will be a great long-term investment.
The youngsters are paired with a mentor from an investment company to provide advice, inspiration and career insights and have the chance to attend online masterclasses as they develop an understanding that good investing focuses on a company’s long-term prospects, profits and sustainability.
This year more than 80 investment mentors from 28 firms have stepped up to counsel the youngsters.
Layla Saseh, teacher at Calderside Academy told Lanarkshire Live : "Before becoming a teacher, I studied economics and considered a career in finance.
"That, combined with my passion for equality, made the Growing Future Assets Competition a really appealing initiative for our pupils.
"I was blown away by the interest we had from our senior girls at Calderside Academy. The girls’ enthusiasm and drive for self-development is inspiring and makes my job all the more rewarding.
"The Future Asset team have resources fit for purpose and a good supportive team in Helen and Claire. The mentors that we have been assigned are friendly, professional and flexible – helping to put our teams at ease.
“Our pupils benefit in many ways. Teamworking and communication skills are developed through online 'masterclasses'.
"Due to the nature of the competition, they are also learning the importance of resilience and hard work.
"Not only that, as the girls are aware that the competition is to promote gender equality, this will have a lasting impact in their own career management and possibly even the careers of other young women in the future."
Now in its third year, the competition features a senior contest for years S5 and S6 and a junior challenge for S3 and S4.
The teams of three to six girls will present their case in a research report and three-minute elevator pitch by November 30.
The top teams will then deliver an extended pitch to judges at the final in March next year.
At stake is: £1000 for the winning senior school and £200-worth of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member; £800 for the best junior school and £150-worth of vouchers each.
Senior and junior runners-up receive £500 and £100 of vouchers and £400 and £75 of vouchers, respectively.
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