As part of its commitment to help the Island's young people gain essential skills for when they leave full-time education Junior Achievement Isle of Man  and Barclays Wealth, the Island's largest private employer, arranged for groups of year 10 students to witness first-hand life in the workplace.

The  bank is an ardent supporter of the charity and presented the opportunity for students from all of the Island's secondary schools an opportunity to gain an insight into real-life work situations at its Eagle Court headquarters.

In the picture is Barclays Wealth's Bal Jandu and Serena Heathcote, extreme and fourth left respectively and Junior Achievement's Joy Spence, extreme right, with students from Ballakermeen and Castle Rushen High School

Junior Achievement Isle of Man chief executive Sue Cook said: 'We're indebted to Barclays Wealth for their support and to its staff for their co-operation and enthusiasm in helping young people understand what the "real" world of work is all about. The in-school programmes delivered by our great team of volunteer business advisers is at the heart of how we work to equip students with life skills, but to have an opportunity to learn about career pathways in a real-time working environment is an added and very valuable resource.' 

Barclays Wealth senior client services manager Serena Heathcote, who designed and led the sessions, said: 'As the Island's leading private employer Barclays Wealth recognises the value of encouraging local talent and showcasing the wide variety of options a career in banking can offer. The sessions provided a unique opportunity for our people to connect with a different audience from that which they encounter in their usual working environment and in this regard, we see the association with Junior Achievement as a mutually beneficial experience.'     

Programme manager Joy Spence, who worked with Barclays Wealth to arrange the sessions in collaboration with the four secondary schools and the bank, added: 'Bringing students into the workplace at Barclays Wealth helps dispel some of the mystique surrounding banking and, importantly,  illustrates the tremendous breadth of career opportunities the industry has to offer.'    

Junior Achievement welcomes approaches from other businesses willing to help young people improve their employment prospects.  Contact Joy Spence, 666266, joy@jaiom.im . 

This academic year Junior Achievement will run 150 classes, in 18 schools, reaching more than 4,000 young people. Each year Junior Achievement needs to raise £300,000.