Young Consumers of the Year Competition
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The Young Consumers of the Year Competition is an annual competition involving thousands of schools from across the country. The competition celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2026.
The competition is a 'University Challenge' style competition involving teams of 4 students (plus reserve), aged between14 - 17. The competition gives young people the opportunity to learn about their rights and responsibilities and gives them essential life skills as they prepare for the world of work. The students are required to answer questions on the following topics:
- In the News
- Food & Drink
- Europe & Travel
- Money & Finance
- Keeping Safe, Keeping Healthy
- Consumer & Legal Issues
- Social Responsibility & the Environment
In West Yorkshire, the competition commences with 5 district heats, which are usually held at the end of January/beginning of February to try and avoid any clashes with examinations. The 5 district competitions are:
- Bradford
- Calderdale
- Kirklees
- Leeds
- Wakefield
Schools from the same district compete against one another to represent their district in the West Yorkshire Regional Final.
The West Yorkshire Regional Final usually comprises of 6 teams. The winners of each of the district heats plus the highest scoring runners up from across the 5 heats. The location of the Regional Final is alternated every year across the 5 districts. This part of the competition is usually held at the end of March.
The winning team from the Regional Final is crowned West Yorkshire Young Consumers of the Year and wins the great honour of representing West Yorkshire at the National Final at the end of June. The team wins an all expenses paid trip to the Trading Standards Annual Conference where the Young Consumers of the Year National Final is held.
The answers to many of the questions that may arise in the competition should be covered in PHSE lessons under the Citizenship part of the curriculum. Education & Promotions Officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards are available to visit schools and conduct a talk/lesson on consumer law & consumers' rights, food labelling, toy safety & design and financial literacy & credit.
The Trading Standards Institute organise the whole competition therefore teachers are able to concentrate on their everyday activities without worrying about what still needs to be done for the competition.
The competition provides a fun learning environment for the participants, recognition for the schools and prizes for all involved. We ensure that the events are professionally organised and, above all, are fun for those who attend.
Last year competitors won a variety of prizes including tickets for sports events, Ipod Shuffles, DVD players and many, many more!
For more information or to register for the 2008 Young Consumers of the Year competition, please contact Kirsty Lightowler, Education & Promotions Officer & West Yorkshire Young Consumers of the Year Regional Coordinator on 0113 3846 452 or by email, klightowler@wyjs.org.uk
Full details of the competition can be found on the National website: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/yconsumers