ALMOST 8,000 young people across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a programme aimed at providing them with skills and confidence to manage their finances.
The initiative will target both primary and post-primary pupils who will be given a "real-world insight into financial capability".
Bank of Ireland UK and Young Enterprise NI have joined forces for the scheme, which will see young people and their teachers work directly with experienced business mentors who volunteer their time to provide real-world insight into financial issues.
In Primary one and two, pupils receive the 'Ourselves' programme, where they learn about the 'world of work', the importance of saving, earning, decision-making and teamwork.
For Primary two and three, children receive the 'Our Families' programme where they learn about basic living needs and wants that families have.
Post-primary students receive the 'Personal Economics' programme, which helps them in developing money management skills for life, with introductions to credit and debt, savings, budgeting and more.
The programmes not only provide mathematics and money management skills, but also prepare students for entering the working world.
Jan Donaldson from Young Enterprise NI said the initiative "gives us the opportunity to change the lives of the almost 8,000 young people involved".
"Financial capability is an essential skill, but one that many struggle with, even as adults," she said.
"By introducing financial capability at a young age, we are helping these young people to grasp the issue and gain the experience they’ll need to make good financial decisions in the coming years and long into adulthood."
George Higginson from Bank of Ireland UK added: "We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with Young Enterprise NI to support them in providing financial education to thousands of young people across Northern Ireland.
"We’ve all learned the importance of self-care, particularly over the last two years and financial well-being is a crucial part of this.
"Learning and adopting good habits from a young age are skills for life and we’re proud to be working with Young Enterprise to prepare young people for the financial decisions they’ll face in the future.
"By connecting directly with local schools, we can ensure every young person has the tools they need to make the right choices."
