Howard Smith’s voice could be heard from Market Street on Wednesday as the financial guru gave important monetary lessons to year seven students at Mudgee High School.
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Mr Smith has over 30 years experience in the finance industry, with companies including AMP, IOOF, and ING. The program is run by the Business Concierge Training and Development Company, that specialises in presenting information on topics such as budgeting, goal setting, work rights and responsibilities.
The year seven group was educated on the difference between goods and services, as well as the benefits of creating a budget.
Mr Smith has been presenting this program at Mudgee High School for nearly 15 years now but trialled a new group activity on Wednesday.
30-odd students split into six groups, with each team wearing a uniquely coloured bandana that would be used to keep a scoring tally of each group. The students played a game for every subject they talked about.
“We cover everything from budgeting, goods and services, how money’s earned, and introduction to banking,” he said.
“You’d be really surprised at what they know, we do a mock up payslip with the budgeting exercise and it’s amazing how many year seven students know what superannuation is.”
Mr Smith said that the presentations are tailored to each school visit.
“There are 60 subjects that schools can choose from the program. The schools choose which will be best for their students and we use the funds to not only run the program but design the workbooks individually for each school,” he said.
MHS careers advisor Bill Kempton thinks the program is particularly vital to year 11 students who are amid their final years at school and need lessons in time management and prioritised tasks.
Mr Smith acknowledged that the program wouldn’t be possible without the support of their sponsors, who have been excellent throughout the last decade plus.
Yancoal is a new sponsor of the Survivor Skills program and spokesperson Graham Chase thinks it’s a great thing to be a part of.
“The program is very important to us because it helps build skills for kids,” he said.
We’re happy to be on board and helping the community.”
Longer term sponsors include the Mid-Western Regional Council and Club Mudgee.
