This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Banks' image to inspire success
14/03/2005
The high profile success of Scotland's banks
should inspire more school children to go after a career in
the financial services, a special conference was told
today.
Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace said that the current
image of a financial sector as a global power where people
prosper must be much more attractive to young people than
the "men in pin-stripe suits" image of years gone by.
He told 700 teachers at the Enterprising Careers
Conference in Glasgow that "aspiration is nothing to be
ashamed of" and he wanted to see school children look at
strong Scottish sectors like the financial services, life
sciences and oil and gas and aim to be part of that
success.
The Deputy First Minister will be launching A Strategy
for the Financial Services in Scotland later this week.
Mr Wallace said:
"The expertise of our teachers is absolutely central to
shaping and driving our ambition for a Scotland that is up
for enterprise, and up for life. Where every young Scot can
confidently confront the challenges they face by being
determined to succeed.
"Aspiration is nothing to be ashamed of. Scotland will
be the winner if we produce more talented young people full
of ambition. We are great ones for not being seen to set
our sights too high in case we set ourselves up for a
fall.
"I think our schools and our Enterprise in Education
strategy are helping to change that attitude.
"I want more young Scots to look at sectors where we are
strong like oil and gas, the life sciences and financial
services and think to themselves, "I want to be part of
that success. I want to share in the rewards of that
success."
"Some of our banks are enjoying great success at the
moment. This hasn't gone unnoticed by the world's media. I
hope these high profile success stories inspire young
people to think about a career in the financial services
sector in Scotland.
"It is a sector where we are a world leader. I would
hope that young people would be attracted by that success
and reputation. These things must make the financial
services more appealing to the next generation than the
"men in pin-stripe suits" image of years gone by.
"People like to be part of something that is successful.
That is natural. Scotland punches way above our weight in
the financial services and we are keen to ensure it stays
that way. Later this week I will be launching A Strategy
for the Financial Services in Scotland following a review
by a government-industry task force.
"Our financial institutions make no secret of the fact
that their people are their greatest asset. Determined to
Succeed will help us to produce more enterprising and
innovative individuals. This will be good for the
individuals but it should also help the firms that generate
the growth in our economy."