FEP Topics

Our volunteer team of financial services professionals are happy to run workshops on any of the following topics. These can be tailored to individual school needs and adapted to suit different age groups.

1. Managing Your Money
Dealing with money affects every pupil and the ability to deal with money efficiently becomes even more important on leaving school. Grants, allowances and salaries all have to be stretched to cover outgoings. This interactive session looks at the basics of budgeting to show ways in which to plan, monitor and control personal expenditure. A handout is provided for students' future reference.

2. From CV to Salary
In this session pupils are introduced to the concept of how important it is to make the right first impression when making contact with a prospective employer. Topics range from basic tips - such as formatting a CV and covering letter - to more detailed information such as the notion of tailoring your application to a specific job and how to do your homework on the role and company. Pupils are asked to consider what an employer might look for and how they might sell themselves in these areas. A comprehensive handout details all they need to know about CV preparation for the future.

3. First Impressions Last
This session looks at effective interview skills, including what to do and what not to do at interview. It's particularly pertinent to pupils coming up to school leaving age and equally valid for interviews at college, university or the workplace. The session moves from pre-interview preparation to expected interview decorum and type of questions you may look to ask when there. The messages can be reinforced through role play, where pupils are given the opportunity to recreate an interview scenario.

4. Wait a Minute!
Time management is an important skill whether in the work place or studying for exams. This session encourages pupils to think about the importance of effective time management whilst providing practical advice on how this may be best achieved. Pupils consider what tools are available to help them manage their time, the need for prioritisation and flexibility, and the role of negotiation when facing difficult deadlines. An interactive team activity helps pupils identify the difference between the structured environment at school and the more self-driven environment at college, university or work. A handout summarizes the workshop for future reference.

5. Getting the Message
The art of effective communication relies on more than just words alone. Active listening, the importance of eye contact, thinking before you speak and continually checking understanding are all basic principles covered in this session. This is a highly interactive session with group, team and individual activities where pupils demonstrate for themselves how communications can break down and how good their listening skills are. Pupils also consider how to use questions effectively.

6. Sensible Borrowing
Debt is a common burden for young people today but can be managed effectively with the right attitude. This session highlights the difficulties of financial over-commitment, and the steps to take if experiencing difficulties in meeting repayments. It covers such issues as honesty with oneself, communication with creditors and the importance of prioritising and negotiating.

7. Finance for Life
Using a 'cradle to grave' scenario pupils are asked to consider what life events can be supported, or avoided, through various financial products and services. This session focuses on raising pupils' awareness of the different types of financial products available and how they can satisfy their different needs. Further consideration is given to the importance of assessing and comparing different sources of financial advice and information, and being able to make decisions on the basis of long term, medium term and short term needs. No information is given on specific company products.

 8. Finance at Work
This session introduces students to the wide variety of careers available across the financial sector today. With the changing face of financial services, there is a proliferation in the types of career available within this sector. From cashier or call centre operative to legal, marketing and human resources positions, students think about the generic qualities that employers look for. In this session pupils work together to identify examples they could offer to employers to demonstrate evidence of team work, self-motivation and customer service - competencies applicable to almost every role.

9. It's My Business
Working for yourself and setting up your own business is a dream for many. This session looks at why people set up their own business, what is involved, the importance of developing a business plan and the different types of businesses there are. Focus is given to the financial element - why businesses need finance at start up and during operation, and the many sources of finance available. Through a number of exercises, pupils are asked to review potential business ideas and evaluate what issues the business would face.

10. Holiday Money
It is possible that many students will have experienced using a different currency, or may do so in the future. This session focuses on the practical aspects of using a different currency drawing on students' own experiences where possible. Students discuss where they can exchange money and the role of travellers' cheques and other forms of payment, to what is meant by an exchange rate and the implications of it being 'high' or 'low'. Particular attention is paid to the Euro as a currency.