Pupils get virtual support from stock market challenge

A Cornish company behind a stocks and shares competition for schools is using the latest technology to ensure that pupils are able to access support.

Teams taking part in the third annual Virtual Trading Challenge will use internet phone services and video conferencing to get advice from two of Cornwall’s leading independent financial advisers.

Launched in September last year by Truro and Wadebridge based Worldwide Financial Planning and Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership, the competition gives teams a virtual £100,000 to invest in the stock market.

The winner is the team that makes the greatest return by March.

Peter McGahan, Worldwide’s managing director, said: “We’ve got 20 teams from schools from throughout Cornwall taking part.

“We wanted a simple way in which to offer advice to them all in one day.

“The easiest way for myself and fellow independent financial adviser, Chris Rowe, to reach them all in one day is to utilise the power of the internet via Skype and a webcam.

“This way we can ensure that we can give everyone the same amount of time and offer the support they need.”

Kate Whetter, Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership’s coordinator on the competition said: “Its such a great and simple idea to reach all the schools.

“It also means that the students also learn about how technology is helping business.

“We really value Peter, Chris and the Worldwide team’s time in running this competition and by using initiatives like this more, then the students will be able to get so much more out of the competition.”

Since its launch in September last year three teams have been vying for top spot – Falmouth Business, Helston A and Callington B having returned over nine percent.

Posted 20th Jan 2010  by member Worldwide Financial Planning