Inverness College UHI students balance the books at Barclays Money Skills ‘week’

Inverness College UHI deposited a week of financial fun to over 600 students recently to help them balance the books for Barclays Money Skills ‘week’ – part of a £15m UK-wide initiative designed to raise awareness of money management issues and budget control.

The week-long initiative at Inverness College UHI was part of a series of weekly events running at further education organisations across Britain throughout 2011, including 150 UK colleges - 20 in Scotland - and 90,000 students, who will participate in Barclays Money Skills ‘weeks’.

Supported by Barclays, the National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS) and Scotland’s Colleges, students and staff from the College took part in entertaining and informative money management activities on relevant issues such as food, family and fashion.

In today’s challenging economic climate, every penny counts and the Student Services Team at the College, together with Barclay’s employees, came up with practical, interactive activities and competitions designed to teach students about money and how to manage it. From tutorial sessions and online quizzes to food tasting, money saving tips and independent living, students and staff were challenged on their financial knowledge across three college campuses.

At the Longman and Midmills Campuses a Top Tips Competition was organised for students with judges looking for the best  money saving ideas for the students themselves, the College and the country as whole, with prizes including a Sony Digital Camera, an Apple iPod Touch and an iTunes voucher. Winners from the competition will gain entry into the National Scottish finals in July.

To get the online community involved, the NSAFS also set up an online student quiz with prizes for the winners as well as a photographic competition for students to upload images to the Barclays Money Skills Facebook page for ‘What Money Means to Me’.

Fiona Mackinnon, Student Services Manger at Inverness College UHI commented: “Our students and staff took an active role throughout the week in the various events and competitions set-up by the Student Services team. We are delighted with the response having recorded over 600 learners through participation in events, competitions and quizzes.”

“During Barclays Money Skills ‘week’ at Inverness College UHI we covered topics including budgeting, saving and spending: and have offered practical guidance on what to do when something goes wrong. Making good financial decisions is an essential life skill, and by building students’ financial skills we are empowering them to reach their goals.”

Michelle Smith, Head of Consumer and Community Affairs at Barclays said: “We know from our research that young people face a particularly challenging set of circumstances, and need all the help they can get to manage their money effectively. We’re investing £15m over three years in projects such as Barclays Money Skills ‘weeks’ and are working to support one million people to build their financial skills, knowledge and confidence.”

For further information on any courses available at Inverness College UHI please call 01463 27300 or visit www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk.