College students get creative for new phone app 'Understanding your Payslip'

15 January 2014

Press release:

For young people, understanding tax, National Insurance and student loan deductions can seem like an impossible task. This year however, thanks to some creative flair from three Solihull College students, confusion surrounding money matters is set to become a lot less daunting.

The Level 5 HND Graphic Design students have been working with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) on creation of a new phone app ‘Understanding your Payslip’, launching nationally this year.

Following a shortlisting process the Solihull-based payroll and pensions membership organisation invited the learners to pitch their design ideas to the CIPP Board. They made such a good impression that instead of just one design being picked, all three designs were chosen.

27-year-old Matt Walton is one of the students whose design was selected, he said: “I had never looked in depth at payslips before and this project gave me a deeper understanding of the subject. As a graphic designer the ultimate goal of any piece of work is for it to be seen; if in some way our efforts help the CIPP introduce the app to a new audience then I will be happy”.

The phone app will launch at the beginning of the new tax year on 4 April, and will target young people aged 14-22 years of age: the school leaver, college student and university student.

Through the new ‘Understanding your Payslip’ app, the CIPP hope young people will gain an understanding of money matters and will be able to budget their salary more efficiently.

Vickie Moss, Associate Director of Marketing at the CIPP worked with the group, she comments: “Understanding your payslip is essential for young people becoming work ready, along with saving for a pension, knowing what you earn and where your money goes is vital – for everyone. The three designs submitted by the students are really impressive which we believe will encourage young people to take an interest in their payslip, allowing them to successfully budget”.

To keep up to date with the CIPP app designed by the College students please visit www.solihull.ac.uk or call 0121 678 7000.

For more information on the CIPP then please visit the website www.cipp.org.uk