The ifs School of Finance is pleased to announce the launch of its bid to find the 2012 Young Business Writer of the Year.  The annual competition is aimed at school and college students aged between 14 and 19 and challenges them to write a 1,000 word article on “Why my generation has to start thinking seriously about longevity.”

The question aims to make teenagers think beyond the present and to the financial consequences for themselves and the UK of an aging population.  Do they need to be thinking about pensions already?  What will the consequences be for the working population as the number of retired people grows?  

The winning entry will receive £500 and will be chosen by The Times’ Deputy Personal Finance Editor, David Budworth.  David will be looking for evidence of detailed research and analytical skills together with a compelling writing style.

David said:

“I’m delighted to have been asked to judge the ifs’s Young Business Writer of the Year competition again this year.  Having seen the standard of entries last year, I’m looking forward to reading the entrants views on an issue which will impact their generation like no other before.”

Previous winners of the competition have gone on to pursue careers in journalism, and this may yet prove to be the case for last year’s winner Adeel Haque from Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet . Adeel is hoping to complete a summer work placement with the Times newspaper next summer.
 
Rod McKee, Vice Principal at the ifs said:

“This year’s competition is especially relevant to today’s teenagers. They are tomorrow’s tax payers and the burden of an aging population will weigh heavily on their shoulders.  I believe that learning Financial Capability is more relevant now than at any point in the past. “

The competition is open to anyone who will be aged between 14 and 19 when the competition closes on 10 February 2012.  Entries answering the question “Why my generation has to start thinking seriously about longevity”, together with an entry form should be emailed to us at ybwy@ifslearning.ac.uk before then.