The visit forms part of KPMG UK’s Opening Doors to Opportunities initiative, which aims to support young people to build skills and confidence for employment.

The collaboration comes as 3.9% of 16 to 19-year-olds in Scotland are not currently engaged in work or learning, according to data from the Scottish Government’s National Performance indicator.

The initiative brought together 28 students, aged 13 to 15, from Cumbernauld Academy who spent the morning at KPMG’s St Vincent Street office before heading to Nationwide’s Bothwell Street office in the afternoon.

Timed to mark National Numeracy Day (20 May), the event focused on developing practical numeracy skills, with students taking part in interactive sessions exploring money management and real-world problem solving. KPMG and Nationwide volunteers, from school leavers through to senior leaders, supported the sessions and shared their own career journeys.

The programme was delivered in partnership with The Talent Foundry, who administer the programme and facilitate the workshop sessions for the students.

Chris Checkley, finance transformation partner at KPMG UK said: “Supporting social mobility is central to our Opening Doors to Opportunities programme. We know talent is everywhere, but opportunities aren’t.

“Spending time with students in Glasgow and hearing first-hand about their ambitions was a real privilege. Initiatives like this give young people an opportunity to experience different career paths and develop the sorts of skills all employers look for.”

Katy Barker-Cook, director of future of capability and operations for Nationwide, said: “National Numeracy Day is about building confidence with numbers for life.

“Through Nationwide’s Money Lessons, we see first-hand how vital numeracy, and practical financial education is. We’re proud to partner with KPMG to help young people gain the skills and confidence they need to positively shape their futures.”

Part of KPMG UK’s wider Opening Doors to Opportunities programme, the event contributes to the firm’s ambition to reach one million young people with opportunities to develop career readiness by 2030.