New Course Helps Students from Many Backgrounds with High Pass Rate

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Chairman of the Securities and Investment Institute (SII) Examination board, Sir David Howard, paid a visit to The Community College Hackney on Friday 23rd September to celebrate the high success rates achieved by its students in the newly established Introduction to Investment course.

The college, which is the first in the UK to introduce the course, gained an overwhelming pass rate of 85% – well above the average 70% score. Sir Howard, formerly the Lord Mayor of London, attended the event to certify the college as an Accredited Training Provider for the SII. The new qualification in investment is aimed at those who are considering entering a profession in the financial services ““ whether new jobseekers or people looking for a change in career.

The eleven candidates who took the course at the college in Hackney, aged between 21-38, come from a wide variety of backgrounds including students from India, Malaysia and Africa. However, none of them had come from a specifically financial background. The Introduction to Investment course is designed to widen access to the financial sector and provides a thorough and comprehensive overview of the financial services industry and its methods of operation.

Analysing JP Morgan

The syllabus covers topics such as Money Laundering, the Financial Services and Marketing Act, Equities, Derivatives and Unit Trusts. As an example of the success of the course, one student, Izana Wan Ahmad, gained a full time position as a graduate analyst with JP Morgan upon completing it.

The Managing Director of the SII, Ruth Martin, announced that the SII was delighted that Sir Howard would be attending the event at The Community College Hackney. She described the college as a “trailblazer” for the Introduction to Investment course which is now being expanded to run throughout the UK to meet the demands for financial and investment education beyond the boundaries of Hackney.

Director of Business Development of The Community College, Chris Yiannakoiu, stressed the perceived lack of inner city residents within the industry, saying they have “for some time been under represented in the financial services sector resulting in a reliance on commuters in the workforce.” The college’s Centre of Vocational Excellence has greatly benefited from the support it has received from the SII and the London East Learning and Skills Council (LSC), and it is strongly hoped that the course will make available more real job opportunities for local people.

Sara Hashash

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