Now in its second year, the Stock Market Challenge is a work-related learning activity which uses the experience of a live trading floor to introduce young people to finance and investments.

This exciting financial learning event is organised and co-sponsored by Black Horse, part of the Lloyds TSB Group based in Cardiff, and the Cardiff "hub" of the First Campus project, based in the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC).

Staff from both organisations will take part in the event as traders, running the dealing pit. A team of teachers from the participating schools will also join pupils on the trading floor.

Following the success of 2004's event, which was won by a team from Cantonian High School in Cardiff, this year's Stock Market Challenge has been expanded to two events: one for Year 10 pupils on June 29 and one for Year 12 students on June 30. 250 pupils from 28 high schools and colleges will take part in all.

Competing teams will learn how to trade in company stocks and foreign exchange, just like real-life brokers do every day on trading floors and on-line all over the world.

Each team of five pupils will have £35,000 to invest during five virtual days of trading, condensed into two hours. The team with the highest portfolio at the closing bell wins £1,000 for their school, a trophy and individual prizes.

As well as giving young people an insight into the world of finance, the activity forms part of pupils' wider business and careers education.

In addition to developing key skills in areas such as teamwork and communication, the activity is designed to introduce pupils both to the world of work and to the opportunities available them in higher education.

Ian O'Hare, Head of Corporate Communication at Black Horse, said: "We believe it is important for companies like Black Horse to put something back into the communities in which we are based, and Stock Market Challenge is a great demonstration of this.

"We see education and working in partnership with schools as one of the most effective ways to invest in the future, and Stock Market Challenge is an ideal project to enable us to build our links with local schools. Our sponsorship with Capital Rugby has also given us the opportunity to invite star rugby players from Cardiff Blues to help promote the scheme and meet all the pupils taking part."

Laura James, First Campus officer for the Cardiff "hub", said: "Through Stock Market Challenge we are promoting the importance of financial literacy, team-working, risk management and raising awareness of how financial decisions are made.

"Stock Market Challenge will give 250 pupils a valuable insight into how one of our most important business sectors works and its significance to the economy as a whole. For pupils looking to enter the job market or going into further and higher education in the next few years, this event will be an invaluable experience."