Skills and talent to support the fintech cluster in Scotland

Your gateway to the best talent on the planet

Businesses already established here understand that people are our greatest asset and that our 2.8 million working population is one of the best trained and most reliable in the world.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the national skills agency, helps businesses around the globe discover what Scotland’s talent can do for them.

Scotland, with its world-class universities and innovative further education colleges, has rightly built a reputation of excellence in digital skills development .

 

 

World-class universities

Scotland’s 19 universities are among some of the best in the world, and the research they produce sets them apart as global leaders.

Five Scottish universities are in the world’s top 200, according to the latest Times Higher Education rankings, putting them in the top one per cent of the world’s universities.

5 Universities have MSc in Fintech

                 

15 universities have Informatics & Computing Science departments

Work-based learning

Scottish Apprenticeships provide industry with a work-based learning approach to developing and building the skills it requires.

With over 100 apprenticeship frameworks available from our oldest high school pupils through to Honours Degree-level, apprenticeships offer employers a reliable and effective way to upskill and retain collaborators.

Foundation Apprenticeships give senior school pupils valuable experience of the world of work. Businesses get early access to emerging talent which they can shape to face tomorrow’s challenges.

Modern Apprenticeships offer cost-effective training for new or existing employees working towards an industry approved qualification, bringing new skills and ideas into your workplace.

Graduate Apprenticeships provide a fully-funded programme for new or existing full-time employees up to Honours or Masters’ degree, representing a saving of up to £36,000 per person.

Businesses benefit from improved productivity, morale, colleague retention and quality of service, with a generous funding environment covering the costs of training, making it the ideal way to grow talented and dedicated talent.

Innovative further education

Scotland has a network of 26 colleges covering every part of the country, with 265,000 students studying across 23,000 courses each year.

Working in partnership with businesses is central to the work of Scotland’s colleges, and they are committed to providing the right education and training required by employers competing in a global economy.

>>> Discover more about Scotland’s colleges

>>>Fast Track case study

>>> Data Lab

Tailored solutions for your business needs

When businesses are in the early stages of recruiting, help is available to identify and develop solutions that brings together co-ordinated support from across the learning and skills system, saving time and money.

Skills support specifically aimed at small and medium sizes enterprises is also available through SDS’s Skills for Growth service.

The talent of tomorrow

Inspire the next generation of fintech talent by engaging with schools through Marketplace and Developing the Young Workforce.

And for those considering a career using digital technology Digital World provides the latest information on the skills needed and opportunities available.

Find out more

To learn more about the skills system in Scotland and how it can support your business, contact Ian Hanson, financial services sector manager at Skills Development Scotland.

Universities – the new industry collaboration spaces

Scotland’s universities are very often avant-garde. They are leading the way in terms of collaboration between academia, the industry and fintech start-ups and SMEs. The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow launched its Technology and Innovation Centre, a 270,000 sq ft space, in 2015 and The University is soon to launch its Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Support organisations

We are working with skill agencies to develop broader talent, increase diversity and ensure re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities are available to all.

  • Pulse MarketPulse Market
  • xDesignxDesign
  • Pinerock FinancePinerock Finance
  • CienDosCienDos
  • SpendbaseSpendbase
  • Inicio AIInicio AI
  • AlluvieAlluvie
  • SmardatenSmardaten
  • AddeparAddepar
  • CairtCairt
  • Etiq AIEtiq AI
  • Quoin SystemsQuoin Systems
  • Beanworks by QuadientBeanworks by Quadient
  • MiradorMirador
  • CodatCodat
  • SabbioSabbio
  • ZavFitZavFit
  • Saltare TechnologiesSaltare Technologies
  • Pulse MarketPulse Market
  • xDesignxDesign
  • Pinerock FinancePinerock Finance
  • CienDosCienDos
  • SpendbaseSpendbase
  • Inicio AIInicio AI
  • AlluvieAlluvie
  • SmardatenSmardaten
  • AddeparAddepar
  • CairtCairt
  • Etiq AIEtiq AI
  • Quoin SystemsQuoin Systems
  • Beanworks by QuadientBeanworks by Quadient
  • MiradorMirador
  • CodatCodat
  • SabbioSabbio
  • ZavFitZavFit
  • Saltare TechnologiesSaltare Technologies

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