Some 130 students and teachers recentlydescended on University of Galway to participate in an extended learning workshop, Bank Your Future. This national financial education initiative by University of Galway and Junior Achievement, supported by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, is designed to educate second-level students to establish good financial habits to carry them through their adult lives

During the event Dr Pat Morgan, Vice-President for the Student Experience at University of Galway presented students from Mercy College, Coláiste Iognáid, Presentation College Athenry, and Archbishop McHale College in Tuam, with certificates for completing the Bank Your Future programme.

Lorraine Tansey, Student Volunteer Coordinator at University of Galway, said: “University of Galway is proud to partner Junior Achievement and recognise the secondary school students for their successful completion of such a vital skills development programme. At University of Galway we are deeply committed through our strategic plan to engaging regionally with NGOs and schools. Hundreds of university students are volunteering with over thirty homework and youth clubs across the city and county to raise educational aspirations.”

University of Galway’s Access Programme and its ALIVE Programme, working with Junior Achievement, helps create a relationship between secondary schools and University of Galway throughout their second-level education. The University of Galway Access Programme targets people whose access to education generally, and higher education in particular, is or has been restricted. Through developing alternative entry routes, and providing educational aspirations in both primary and secondary schools, the Access Programme aims to increase participation amongst those target groups, who for a variety of social and economic reasons are under-represented at third-level.

The ALIVE programme at University of Galway aims to enhance partnerships between the University and the wider community through provision of a supportive environment in which students and community can liaise through volunteering.

Bank Your Future is a six-week programme taught in the classroom by independent business volunteers from a variety of business backgrounds. This academic year will see approximately 1,750 students across Galway, Dublin, Leitrim, Sligo, Limerick, Cork and Waterford participating in this initiative. The programme includes:

• the importance of education and its role in improving potential earning power
• balancing salary and expenditure
• using credit and cash wisely
• the importance of saving
• the benefits of insurance

Findings from the evaluation of the Bank Your Future project last year indicated an increase in students’ confidence in knowing how to manage their money having completed the programme. “Empowering young people with the skills surrounding the complex area of personal finance will allow these students not only a firm understanding of their future financial choices and responsibilities, but also of the importance of their career choices and potential to create fulfilling and independent lives”, said Teri Kelly, Communications Manager, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

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