Twelve students from the Guernsey Grammar School are aiming to give themselves a head-start in financial services by taking advantage of support from HSBC Private Bank to study for a professional qualification.
The students from Years 12 and 13 are studying for the Introduction to Investment Award; a professional qualification endorsed by the Securities and Investment Institute (SII) and recognised by the Financial Services Skills Council of the UK. They will spend 25 weeks studying topics including financial assets and markets, equities, bonds and derivatives as well as regulation and investment products. The Award depends on an examination, delivered by Computer Based testing, taken whenever the students feel ready.
"The Introduction to Investment Award is a highly respected qualification and will equip Guernsey Grammar School students with a knowledge base that they will be able to draw on in the future. We are delighted it is being supported by HSBC Private Bank in Guernsey and collectively we recognise how important it is to build up Guernsey's local talent pool and to ensure that employers get the benefit of recruiting students with both a highly regarded qualification in investments and real work experience," said Ruth Martin, Managing Director of SII.
HSBC Private Bank is supporting the students by covering all course fees and has arranged structured mentoring sessions to help the students. These sessions included presentations from managers on subjects such as Compliance, Treasury, Investment Advisory, Crest Settlements, Trust and Tax. The students also shadowed some members of staff in the Treasury, Operations and Banking departments to see what happens on a day to day basis.
Head of the Sixth Form College, Mrs Watson, and course teacher, Mr McCarley expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative. “We have been delighted by the response and dedication of our students and have appreciated the opportunity for them to further their understanding of the Finance industry in Guernsey. This was further enhanced by work experience at HSBC Private Bank during their half term break in February, which proved to be a valuable experience for all.”
Investment in the students is part of the strategy of HSBC Private Bank to ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary skills when they enter the finance industry as the company has a policy of recruiting the highest calibre staff to maintain the high levels of service it offers clients.
Head of Human Resources, Natalia Bachelet, said: “We recognise the commitment that these students are making to give themselves the best chance of success in the finance industry. Many of our staff undertake the qualification but it can be daunting when you are new to the industry so we want to continue to give them our full support.”
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