Pupils from an East Renfrewshire secondary have reached the final of a competition which gives teenagers the chance to hone their financial skills.

Mearns Castle High School achieved the feat in Scotland’s Investment Challenge, which allows fifth and sixth years to work in teams to grow a virtual investment fund.

They do this by making decisions on what to buy and sell based on their own research and incoming news stories.

Laura Wilson, financial services sector manager at Skills Development Scotland (SDS), told the Barrhead News: “The Investment Challenge is an excellent opportunity for young people to see the type of activities they could be involved in with a career in financial services.

“The competition also helps promote the development of meta-skills, especially sense making, curiosity, critical-thinking and communication.

“SDS is here to support industry and schools as they continue to engage in these kinds of initiatives, which help develop young people’s future career pathways.”

The competition is sponsored by the securities services business of major international banking establishment BNP Paribas in partnership with SDS and Global Investor Simulations.

“Linking young people with employers is hugely important as they consider the various career pathways available to them, so the support of BNP Paribas is fundamental to the competition being a success,” added Laura.

More than 1,100 pupils from 26 schools took part in the competition using the online business simulation Finance Lab, with volunteers from BNP Paribas visiting schools to meet teachers and students and talk about opportunities in the sector.

The teams from Newton Mearns will compete with pupils from Bearsden Academy and Inverclyde Academy when they visit the offices of BNP Paribas in Glasgow for the regional final on December 14.

Mark Daisley, head of client delivery (UK, Middle East and Channel Islands), securities services at BNP Paribas, said: “This competition gives us the opportunity to promote the wide variety of careers the financial services sector has to offer.

“The enthusiasm of pupils for the competition across the country has been striking and we are looking forward to welcoming them to BNP Paribas for the final.”