Student Investor Challenge

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan is encouraging schools and colleges in Inverclyde to register for the ifs Student Investor Challenge, sponsored by Deutsche Bank & Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust.

The ifs challenge equips thousands of young people with the knowledge and capability to manage their own finances, both now and in the future, by providing insight into the stock markets, savings and investments.

The challenge is operated by a financial education charity, the ifs School of Finance and is free to enter, open to teams of four students aged between 14 and 19 and usually attracts around 30,000 participants each year. It involves students investing a fantasy £100,000 in the stock market over a three month period, followed by regional finals involving a business quiz and a national final where the top eight teams in the country compete for an all expenses paid trip to New York and £2000 for their school.

Mr McMillan said: “The annual ifs Student Investor Challenge has proved successful in helping young people gain an understanding of the stock market, investments and business. It is backed by the Deutsche Bank, which employs many Scots in Scotland. Scottish companies can be 'invested' in, and it gives the pupils an opportunity to see how Scottish companies can compete with others on an international stage. They also have the opportunity to win a fantastic prize and have fun taking part.”

To register a team, or for more details, go to www.studentinvestor.org on, or before, November 5, 2007.