HSBC has presented the second Lm4,000 instalment of its three-year Lm12,000 commitment to Scoops. The sponsorship was presented to Michelle Vigar from Outlook Coop by the bank’s head of commercial banking, James Dunbar Cousin.

The Scoops programme, now in its 11th year, introduces secondary school students to the world of work by encouraging them to set up their own school-based co-operative organisation. HSBC’s annual sponsorship not only helps the Cooperatives Board to run the programme but also to set up the Scoops Fair, which this year took place at the Savoy Shopping Arcade in Valletta.

“HSBC Malta provides some Lm40,000 a year in financial support to student organisations many of which help young people gain a better understanding of the world of work which they will encounter once they finish studying. Scoops is an excellent school-based programme which allows students aged 13 to 15 the opportunity to be creative, learn how to work as a team, and also test their ideas for products and services on the public. It therefore fits in perfectly with our approach to helping youngsters prepare for their future,” said Mr Dunbar Cousin.

“Scoops has, over the years, grown in terms of the quality and variety of products and services offered by the participants. This improvement has been possible thanks also to the support we have received from HSBC. Importantly, students are also becoming more aware of cooperative principles and of business organisation models. This means that Scoops is succeeding in bridging the gap between school and the world of work,” said Ms Vigar.

Further information on Scoops can be found on the website www.scoops.org.mt