Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) is set to launch the UK’s first Further Education (FE)-led FinTech short course this June, marking a significant milestone in FinTech education.
The pioneering course is designed to support around fifty to sixty new students over the next two years. It offers a comprehensive introduction to FinTech, blending self-study, online learning, and in-college sessions. The sixteen-week program will cover both behavioural and technological aspects of FinTech, incorporating engagement with industry experts to meet the demand for continuous innovation.
Developed in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), SuperTech—the UK’s only tech supercluster—and leading industry experts, this course is rooted in BMet’s FinTech Skills Framework. This framework, published last year, serves as a ‘Blueprint for Further Education in Birmingham and the West Midlands.’
The course will provide students with a solid foundation in FinTech concepts and technologies, offering insights into its historical context and evolution. It will help students explore various sectors, identify opportunities for innovation, understand the regulatory environment, and develop strategies for compliance. Additionally, the program will support career progression and development opportunities, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in the fast-evolving FinTech industry.
David Gaughan, Head of Employer Services at the WMCA, said:
“We are delighted to back this fantastic new FinTech course at BMet which, along with FE partners across the region, plays such a crucial role in our skills system.
“The business, professional and financial services cluster is set to see significant growth over the next decade, and we’re delighted that the WMCA focus in developing new skills pathways in key growth clusters has resulted in the development of this new FinTech offer to support our residents and employers.”
Suzie Branch-Haddow, Vice Principal for External Development at BMet, said:
“We can’t wait to start this FinTech programme at BMet!
“We know this region is already a major centre for FinTech with huge potential for this critical growth sector. There is a big role for FE to play in empowering our diverse talent pool to take advantage of the exciting opportunities in Birmingham and the West Midlands.”
Jo Griffin, Project and Skills Lead at SuperTech, will be one of the specialist lecturers on the course. Last year, SuperTech’s Impact Report found the estimated annual economic output from the sector in the West Midlands was £474M with FinTech productivity almost twice the regional average per worker.
Hilary Smyth-Allen, Executive Lead for SuperTech, said:
“I’m thrilled to see this innovative course open its doors for recruitment.
“The FE Blueprint cemented the status of FinTech in the region as one of the fastest growing tech sectors, but also one that has a significant skills shortage with a specific market gap in our sector. Unsurprisingly, the sector competes for these high value skills among the UK’s major growth sectors, but FE presents an untapped talent pipeline.”
Students who complete the program will be awarded a certificate, which will be highly valued by employers within the SuperTech community and beyond. This certification will provide a significant skills boost to participants and become a vital element of their Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
The development of the program has been supported by the WMCA, ensuring it meets the high standards and needs of the region’s growing FinTech sector.
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