A Birmingham initiative is going international and bringing out the best in young people, says Brian Boswell
Whilst the national press like to report bad news about the young people we can shout about the good news.
In the BWMSCA district over 60 teams of six from sixth forms took part in heats of the ICAEW inter-schools business game competition (also known as BASE). This is a game about teamwork, analysis and presentation.
The students also visit a careers exhibition where many firms have the opportunity to showcase our profession. The commitment and quality of work of all the students was truly impressive and certainly shows that there are many able and talented young people coming forward to lead businesses in future years.
The ICAEW LPD team chose Birmingham for the residential, international final at the end of June. They appreciated the facilities that we have to offer with especial regard to the road, rail and air links and quality hotels.
Thirtyone teams came together from far and wide to compete. Once more the standards of work were impressive. It is of course great to report that the winning team, Bromsgrove School , came from the BWMSCA district.
The feedback from students and teaching staff show that the ICAEW has dramatically improved its brand awareness and is now more widely perceived as a quality profession of choice. We know that as a result of participation a number of students have decided that chartered accountancy will be their future career.
The success of the game owes much to members of our profession who give their time to act as judges and mentors as well as providing the careers exhibition.
Planning has already started for the 2012 competition. It is possible that teams from South East Asia and India will be taking part.
Much has happened since the concept of this competition was launched in Birmingham in 2008. From that small beginning we now see that many thousands of young people have participated in the four years.
If any members have contacts with schools that have not participated an introduction would be very much appreciated. In the first instance please contact John Leech: john.leech@kpmg.co.uk