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Earlier this month we held a successful networking and skills information session at Cardiff University Business School, in partnership with Venture Graduates (Cardiff Capital Region) and supported by Technology Connected


Gemma Hallett, Head of Skills at FinTech Wales commented: 

“Events like this are crucial for raising awareness of the projects and programmes available for our members to utilise and grow the next generation of FinTech talent, and keep talent here in Wales. It’s one element of our holistic skills strategy that generates access to talent for our growing membership.” 

During the session, organisations were provided with a whistle-stop tour of some of the best tech recruitment solutions, training, qualifications, research and business mentoring opportunities available to tech-companies in Wales. 

Our CEO, Sarah Williams-Gardener, and Rowena Morgan, Skills and Talent Lead at Cardiff Capital Region, were delighted to kick off the event by introducing the following organisations who can support your recruitment and retention needs. 

Incase you missed it, here’s all the information you need to know about the programmes and partnerships available to you:

Venture Graduates: 

The Venture Graduate Programme is on a mission to enhance the levels of productivity, innovation, and economic growth in the Cardiff Capital Region. They’re doing this by linking talented graduates with ambitious businesses across South East Wales – through a best in class, end-to-end recruitment, and development service. 

Their aim is to ensure that the Cardiff Capital Region is an attractive destination for graduates to begin their careers, retaining talent within the region as well as enabling business growth – through the critical advantages brought by a skilled, future proofed and ever developing workforce. 

From their direct access to students, fast-hiring process and no-cost service, the Venture Graduates Programme offers many benefits to the businesses it works with.  

Get in touch: 

Rowena O’Sullivan, Skills & Talent Lead – [email protected] 

Cardiff Capital Region Skills Partnership:

The CCR Skills Partnership and City Deal programme aim to bring about significant economic growth in the region through investment, upskilling, and improved physical and digital connectivity. 

Get in touch: 

Richard Tobutt, Regional Skills Partnership Manager, [email protected]

Cardiff Metropolitan University, School of Technologies:

Dr Catherine Tryfona shared information about University’s open-learning lab: a collaborative space where businesses are welcome to come in, talk to the students and staff there, and ultimately be a part of the community.  

Cardiff Metropolitan University also has a range of degree apprenticeship programmes, a growing portfolio of courses including cybersecurity and data science, as well as offering micro-credentials for those who don’t require a whole degree. 

Get in touch:

Dr Catherine Tryfona, Associate Dean Partnerships, Cardiff School of Technologies – [email protected] 

Clare Allen, Careers Consultant at Cardiff Met – [email protected]

Cardiff University:

Cardiff University is renowned for its world-class research and Matthew Turner, Industry & External Engagement Manager at the University, explained that as a leading research University, they are always looking out for industry collaborations. 

A taste of what Cardiff University has to offer: 

  • Year in industry programmes for both under and post-graduates. 
  • National Software Academy – established in 2015 as a partnership between Cardiff University, the Welsh Government and industry leaders. Its aim is to address the shortfall of qualified, industry-ready software engineers, by producing sought after graduates with industrial experience who will be recognised as leaders in their field.
  • Data Science Academy – the Data Science Academy is a hub for data-intensive science set up to educate the next generation of experts in the field, and can give start-ups to large multi-national companies access to a growing cohort of specialised graduates that are ideal candidates for positions in data science, cybersecurity and AI. 

Cardiff Business School: 

  • Help to Grow: Management Course, supporting senior managers of small and medium-sized businesses to boost their business’s performance, resilience, and long-term growth. Help to Grow is recruiting for September and running taster events throughout summer. Join in person or online (via Zoom) on Wednesday 15 June at 08:30 for a free taster session. To secure your place for this opportunity, please register via Eventbrite.
  • Talented students suitable for the FinTech industry, supporting roles in: Marketing, Project Management, HR, Finance, Economics, Logistics & operations. 
  • A Variety of opportunities, such as: Insights, Internships, Integrated Work Placement, Placement Year & research projects. 

Get in touch: 

Matthew Turner, Industry & External Engagement Manager – [email protected] 

Cardiff Business School – [email protected] 

FinTech Wales

FinTech Wales’ is here to support and celebrate our members and the FinTech ecosystem here in Wales. To achieve all the great things you’ve set out to do, we understand you need the right skills and people. That’s why we’re working on a number of initiatives to be able to support your recruitment and retention needs to grow your business. Such activity includes:

  • DebateMate Schools Programme launched in partnership with Cardiff Commitment and Invest in Cardiff
  • Coding Academy with Cardiff and Vale College (CVAC)
  • Amplifying skills and Talent provision in the region
  • FinTech for Schools platform currently being piloted in school and college
  • A Wales wide FinTech FE Skills Coding competition being launched in September
  • Partnering with more advanced Coding programmes eg Code First Girls to bring more diverse talent into the sector
  • Exploring a FinTech Wales Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

With lots more initiatives coming soon…

Get in touch:

To discuss our programmes and initiatives to develop various skills within Wales, please contact Gemma Hallett, Head of Skills at FinTech Wales – [email protected] 

Or to promote your job opportunities, please contact Tiffany Evans, Marketing Assistant at FinTech Wales – [email protected] 

Global Welsh

Global Welsh’s mission is to help Wales prosper by bringing about new connections, opportunities and ideas that will enrich the lives of Welsh people all over the world.

Get in touch:

Zara May, Head of Community and Operations – [email protected] 

Inside Out Support Wales:

Inside Out Support Wales is a social enterprise supporting Welsh-domiciled individuals with previous convictions to reduce reoffending, and is funded by revenue generating activities and charitable trusts (non-EU). 

Inside Out supports these people with past convictions into self-employment or higher education, and is currently free to access for partners. 

Get in touch: 

Jamie Grundy, Co-Director & Education Mentor – [email protected] 

Open University:

Rhys Griffiths, Business Relationship Manager Wales at the Open University, currently has Students enrolled in every constituency in Wales thanks to their open-access courses. 

With 2 out 3 of their students working either part or full time since they’re able to juggle work and personal life, the Open University offers courses in areas such as Machine Learning and cyber security. 

If you’re looking for academic support in a concept, the Open University‘s technology has the potential to provide innovative solutions to the challenges your organisation faces.

Get in touch:

To talk to the OU about their suite of accredited short course, digital degree apprenticeships and how the OU can be your local university contact Rhys Griffiths, Business Relationship Manager Wales – [email protected]

Technocamps & Institute of Coding:

 

 

Technocamps is a wide-reaching digital programme with a focus on primary age upwards, with the main goal to support digital upskilling across Wales. 

Technocamps offers completely free programmes: classroom workshops, after school clubs, Wales wide events, teacher training, links with industry, and through their business arm – IoC. 

Higher and Degree Apprenticeship programmes cover courses such as Computer Science, Management and Engineering. The Apprenticeships programmes are partnerships between employers and providers, and aim to give people the opportunity to gain a degree whilst in full time employment.

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a collaborative national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers that are working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap through the delivery of employer-led digital skills education. 

Get in touch: 

Casey Hopkins, Lecturer in Computer Science –  [email protected]

University of South Wales:

Our audience also heard from Jared Davies from the University of South Wales, who shared some of their courses focused around executive and vocational education, work-based learning and industry engagement. 

The University of South Wales offers: 

  • Tuition for professional accountancy qualifications (ACCA, ICAEW) and a related MSc Professional Accounting. 
  • Undergraduate degrees that have a strong work-based focus. 
  • Specialist Masters in Leadership & Management (with ILM), Leadership & Governance, Executive Coaching & Development, Financial Services Management, which can be good options for upskilling middle managers. 
  • USW Exchange – the front door for business engagement at the University of South Wales. USW’s team of Engagement Managers are primed to support a range of business challenges by harnessing the talent, expertise and facilities of the University of South Wales.  

Get in touch: 

Jared Davies, Academic Manager – [email protected] 

Have your Say! 

FinTech will be a priority sector for South-East Wales and we want to make sure our members have a voice when it comes to your skills needs.

You have the ability to contribute to the CCR Employment and Skills Plan for 2022-2025 by completing the survey below. 

CCRSP works to understand the key skills priorities that face industries in our region using information gathered through this survey and their wider engagement with stakeholders in the region to help inform the Employment and Skills Plan.

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding skills & recruitment challenges: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ArolwgSgiliauCyflogwyr_EmployersSkillsSurvey_2022/?lang=658501 

The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes and can be completed anonymously.

Stay Up To Date

Subscribe to the FinTech Wales Newsletter, or follow our socials for updates on all upcoming careers events and workshops!

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gCqZPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintech-wales/ 

Twitter: @WalesFintech