Digital Boost on a mission to Kickstart into FinTech

▪ Leading digital upskilling platform launches bespoke Kickstart Scheme

▪ Programme of support includes unlimited 1:1 mentoring, tailored learning, and membership of a community of fellow Kickstarters.

▪ Government’s Kickstart scheme helps young people on Universal Credit get into long-term employment.

Digital Boost, a leading digital upskilling platform and Kickstart Gateway for DWP, today announces the launch of a bespoke FinTech version of its unique personalised learning journey. The programme will create new high-quality work placements in FinTech for young people on Universal Credit, while helping FinTechs build a UK-based talent pipeline.

FinTech is strategically important for UK prosperity, estimated to contribute £13.7bn by 2030, with job creation 70% of this, according to analysis by KPMG. Increased digital adoption, changes in consumer habits to move online, and the need to support small businesses in their banking and financing needs has brought new players and bolstered existing innovative FinTech businesses.

But the biggest barrier to success is the availability of skilled people who can help the sector grow. The recent Kalifa Review of UK Fintech has recommended the building of a pipeline of FinTech talent by supporting FinTechs to offer embedded work placements for Further Education and Higher Education students, and Kickstarters.

The Kickstart scheme, which connects 16-24 year-olds on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, to high-quality, six-month placements at no cost to the employer, is ideally placed to support the burgeoning FinTech sector. Young people have been severely impacted, with the number aged 18-24 claiming unemployment related benefits increasing by 290,500 between February 2020 and February 2021, according to ONS Labour Market Bulletins.

Digital Boost’s Kickstart into FinTech Scheme will address both of these priorities. As an official Kickstart Gateway, Digital Boost helps small businesses and charities offer fully funded roles for young people, supported by robust 1:1 mentoring, training and workshops.

Digital Boost’s support programme specifically for FinTech Kickstarters includes a personalised learning journey including:

– Unlimited 1:1 mentoring from FinTech experts on learning subjects most relevant.
– Workshops tailored to in-demand FinTech skills.
– Free short courses from a range of leading course providers.
– Membership in a community of fellow FinTech Kickstarters.
– Certificate of completion.

This training will give employers confidence that their Kickstarters will quickly acquire the skills and qualities they need to help them thrive in their placements, and help to create a talent pipeline of potential employees they would not have otherwise reached.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Kickstart scheme, helping FinTech employers access talent and young people build the skills they need to succeed ” said Karen Licurse, Managing Director of Digital Boost.

She continued: “The potential for FinTech to lift the UK economy is enormous. The Kalifa Review found 67% of the UK’s fastest growing FinTechs consider talent to be a high priority so, as a Gateway offering a robust support programme to all business, it was clear we should tailor this for the needs of the sector.”

Today’s announcement is just the start of a number of initiatives that will see Digital Boost continuing to support those working in FinTech and those who wish to work in FinTech. We will work with the industry and learning partners such as FutureLearn to create new learning solutions for the growing industry.

Justin Cooke, Chief Content and Partnership Officer at FutureLearn said: “FutureLearn is delighted to grow our partnership with Digital Boost in our joint contribution to the Kalifa Review of UK FinTech and to meet the high demand for skills within the sector.”

“FutureLearn is pleased to announce that a significant level of financial investment will be dedicated to creating a minimum of 10 FinTech short courses, built alongside Digital Boost and the UK’s leading higher education and industry partners, to support in upskilling the national workforce.”

The Digital Boost FinTech Kickstart programme is available from today.