Fig Student Convention
An imaginative and innovative student convention launched by Fig to attract more young people into financial sector careers proved such a resounding success that Fig is now fixing the date for next year’s event.
Students spent valuable time learning more about the financial industry from some of the leading names in the business.
A fast and furious ‘speed dating' style session, when they met face-to-face with industry experts, proved one of the highlights.
And it looks as if the getting-to-know-you approach could lead to some much closer relationships - 87% of students said afterwards that the convention had made them more likely to consider a career in finance.
The event was popular with everyone, with all employers and all schools saying they would be back to next year.
The success means that, with a good reputation now firmly established, the Fig Student Convention is almost certain to be repeated annually with the target of becoming even bigger and better.
“It was a successful, enjoyable event which was boosted by the tremendous enthusiasm of all parties involved and hailed as a real triumph by everyone afterwards,” said Fig Director Marjorie Eade. She added: “I held briefing sessions with employers and teachers and it became obvious that our convention could begin to meet some pressing needs and aspirations of both groups. I was able to incorporate into the programme a lot of ideas generated by the discussions.”
Ten companies were represented at the convention at the National Skills Academy for Financial Services on November 10. It was organised by Fig working with the Academy and supported by Norfolk County Council.
Teams of students from across Norfolk took part in the Money Circus, competitive team activities and quizzes to test their knowledge of the money business and to whet their appetites with the promise of team prizes, eventual won by Flegg School.
The Circus was devised by John Bean, from Pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group), who was ‘ringmaster' for the day, blowing his playground whistle to move students around the tables.
Then came the ‘speed-dating' with ten teams of 15 to 18 year olds, mixed from different schools. They moved around all the employers' tables, talking for 10 minutes at each until they had visited all 10 companies involved - Alan Boswell Group, Aviva, B3 Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, HSBC Bank plc, Marsh Ltd, Norwich & Peterborough, Swiss Re, Validus-ivc Ltd and Virgin Money.
Representatives from City College were also available to tell employers, teachers and students about programmes available, including apprenticeships and work experience.
Teachers with each group were also urged to ensure that everything learned on the day was taken back to the classroom and the word spread to as many other students as possible.
The main objective was to raise the profile of a career in the financial industry and to let all young people know of the breadth and variety of careers in finance available in Norfolk. At the same time it raised career aspirations and helped enable students to manage their money better.
To support these aims, Fig produced an informative careers booklet that was used at the event but designed also to be used over the whole year. These have been distributed to every High School in the county.
Entitled ‘Financial Careers in Norfolk', the booklet stresses the fantastic opportunities for a really exciting financial career in the industry with a wide choice of companies working in a huge range of different aspects of the sector.
All the companies involved in the convention are featured in the booklet which also lists lectures taking place throughout the academic year that the professional institutes have kindly specially opened up to students and their teachers.
There is also useful reference material about careers in finance, explaining that the city offers the very best options for training with the National Skills Academy for Financial Services based in the city centre and run by City College, a long-standing partner of Fig.
The feedback from employers was excellent. Comments included: A great opportunity for students to gain exposure to industry; an excellent format; a very positive experience; really enjoyed the day. I think students learnt more than they thought.
“Companies were able to hear how young people view the industry, assess their own reputations in the outside world, find out about aspirations and concerns of the students and assess how much talent was out there and the level of interest and knowledge in careers in the sector.
“Many companies were represented by people from HR but there were also those involved in the financial capability aspects.
“Everyone agreed it was a rewarding event and every employer and every school said they wanted to take part in next year's Fig Convention and others have said they want to join the queue.” 
There was positive feedback too from the teachers attending the convention. “It was relaxed but professional – with students engaged immediately,” said one.
“Very useful for student outlook - good experience and an opportunity to meet adults in the financial industry,” commented another.
Thoughts from the students afterwards proved even more revealing. Among them were:
- Will definitely recommend it to others
- It has encouraged and inspired me to work in the financial sector
- Made me realise that there are many career opportunities and pathways to have an important position in a firm
- I enjoyed the speed dating in which the companies portrayed themselves well and made me want a job with them
- Made me realise that not all jobs in finance are always about handling money
- It showed me in a much clearer way that finance isn't just a desk job but every day something can be different.
- It made me more likely to go into finance as a career.
Teams involved in the convention included: City of Norwich School; Flegg High; Framingham Earl High; City College Sixth Form and the National Academy Foundation Degree students.
Sponsors for the event were: Norfolk County Council, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, Alan Boswell group, Swiss Re, Validus-ivc and Virgin Money. Janette Brown from the Academy, who supported the event, ensured that the boisterous day ran smoothly.
So smoothly, in fact, that it will almost certainly be returning as an annual event - possibly with a stronger commercial basis to sustain it for the future.
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