CIOBS AND SCHOOLS

In a bid to both deepen understanding of the financial services sector among school children, and to provide 6th year school leavers with a fast track entry to the sector, the Institute's Certificate in Financial Services is now being taught as a course in schools giving pupils a professional qualification upon completion.

A key ingredient to this initiative is the fact that we are the first professional body in Scotland to have our qualifications benchmarked and placed in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The Certificate in Financial Services has been benchmarked at Level 7 on the SCQF, which is the equivalent of an Advanced Higher course, meaning that it has been officially certified as being suitable for some S5 but mainly S6 pupils. An important factor with the Certificate is that it is available to all secondary schools across the UK.

As well as this course, the CIoBS is also involved with the FEP, the Financial Education Patnership, full details of which can be found by clicking here.

What is Involved in doing this Course?

The Certificate in Financial Services comprises of 3 subjects. There is one core subject - Introduction to Financial Services and each school can chose the other 2 subjects they will do from the menu of 9 subjects. As a result, each school determines their own version of the Certificate by choosing their own selection of subjects, making the course unique to them.

Each subject requires around 60 hours of study, and since the course is designed to be self taught, it will provide senior pupils with an excellent introduction to the disciplines they will need to bring to their studies if they opt to go to university. Also, the course syllabuses are ideal to give pupils a basic understanding about various areas of financial organisations. Ultimately, this gives participants the advantage of having an industry recognised professional qualification before they have even started their careers. An added benefit is that the course is very portable and relevant to various specialisms in the sector.

The course brochure can be downloaded by clicking here.

Teachers (and pupils and parents) who wish to take a quick tour of some of the key points of this unique qualification, can click here

How is the Course Taught?

Although the course is primarily delivered by distance learning a certain amount of guidance should be provided by teachers. The Institute provides workbooks to the pupils and workbooks and tutor support to the teacher as all other Institute students would receive. Pupils study one subject at a time eventually completing all 3 during their 6th year and final online exams can be taken at the school instead of attending an external exam centre.

Who is the Course for?

The course is expected to make pupils who want to work in the financial services sector direct from school more attractive to potential employers. It will have a similar effect for those who want to work in the sector after completing their course of studies at college or university.

The Certificate was initially taken up by Gryffe High School in Houston, Renfrewshire in June 2005. Gordon McKinley, education adviser for Renfrewshire Council says of the pilot: "The course will be attractive to pupils interested in careers in financial services, who already have Highers but are looking for more depth or experience as a basis for going straight into employment in banks or in accountancy or on to university. The fact that CIOBS is the first professional body to have its qualifications recognised on the SCQF is a feather in our cap in that we have been able to capitalise on that process."

Professor Charles Munn, Chief Executive of CIOBS says "the Institute is delighted to be involved with this project and we believe that it will really give school children a chance to deepen their experience of self study, gain a professional qualification as well as to get to grips with one of Scotland's most important sectors".

What Next after the Certificate?

If you are a school leaver with the Certificate in Financial Services, you could begin studying for the Chartered Banker Qualification straight away. Or if you choose to continue at the same level as the certificate, you would only need to complete a further 3 subjects to achieve the Diploma in Financial Services.

For further information about this initiative, or to find out how you can get further involved, please contact Derek Langley on derek@ciobs.org.uk or call 0131 473 7792.

Full details of the course are available by clicking here.