The College Merthyr Tydfil is celebrating the continued success of its Business Fintech Academy, which has now been up and running successfully for several months, providing learners with high‑impact industry experience and future‑focused digital skills in one of the UK’s fastest‑growing sectors.
Developed in partnership with FinTech Wales, and supported by leading organisations including Barclays, NILC (National Institute of Learning & Certification), Monmouthshire Building Society, Mazuma, Final Rentals, Hodge Bank, Credas and EY, the academy has already delivered a programme of live industry engagement, employer‑led learning and real‑world fintech insight for Business, Digital and IT learners.
Since its launch, learners have taken part in industry projects, guest speaker sessions, employability workshops and site visits, gaining direct exposure to the fintech ecosystem in Wales and beyond. The academy continues to strengthen links between education and industry, ensuring learners develop the skills, confidence and professional networks needed to progress into employment, apprenticeships or higher education.
Exclusive Medr funding success
Building on this strong foundation, The College Merthyr Tydfil has also become the only college in Wales to be successful in securing Medr Wales Employability Community of Practice funding to further support the development of AI and digital employability skills for Fintech Academy learners.
This funding will enhance the academy’s provision through the delivery of industry‑recognised AI, data and cloud micro‑credentials, developed in partnership with NILC and FinTech Wales. Learners will gain accredited digital badges in areas such as AI Essentials, AI Prompting, Data Analysis and Cloud Computing, equipping them with skills increasingly demanded by fintech employers both in Wales and internationally.
International fintech experience in the USA
As part of the academy’s commitment to providing exceptional enrichment opportunities, learners will also take part in a Fintech and Entrepreneurship study visit to North America in June, visiting New York, Boston and Washington DC.
The trip will give learners first‑hand experience of the global fintech and enterprise landscape, including visits to NASDAQ, Bloomberg HQ, Google’s New York Tech Campus, the Harvard Innovation Lab, the MIT Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship, US Chamber of Commerce and university‑based tech incubators. Learners will also pitch business ideas to international mentors and engage with student founders, innovators and fintech professionals.
Industry‑focused impact
Hannah Salter, Head of Business, Management and Tourism at The College Merthyr Tydfil, said:
“At The College Merthyr Tydfil, we are committed to preparing our learners for the future, and the success of our Business Fintech Academy over the past few months is a powerful example of that commitment in action. Working in partnership with FinTech Wales and leading organisations including Barclays, NILC, Monmouthshire Building Society, Mazuma, Final Rentals, Hodge Bank, Credas and EY has enabled us to create meaningful industry experiences that are already making a real difference to our learners’ confidence, skills and aspirations.
Securing Medr funding as the only college in Wales to do so is a significant achievement and allows us to further enhance our learners’ AI and digital capabilities, ensuring they are well equipped for the future of work. Opportunities such as the upcoming visit to the United States demonstrate the ambition of the academy and the exceptional experiences available to our learners.”
Rhys Griffiths, Head of Skills and Talent at FinTech Wales, added:
“FinTech Wales is incredibly proud to be working with The College Merthyr Tydfil as the Business Fintech Academy continues to go from strength to strength. Over the past few months, we have already seen the positive impact this academy is having on learners by connecting them directly with employers, real‑world projects and live industry insight.
The college’s success in securing Medr funding to develop AI and digital skills further strengthens the talent pipeline for the Welsh fintech sector. Combined with initiatives such as the international study visit to the USA, this academy is providing learners with an exceptional platform to thrive in a fast‑growing, globally connected industry.”
Shaping future talent for Wales
The Business Fintech Academy represents a significant step forward in aligning education with employer needs, enhancing employability and supporting the growth of Wales’s fintech sector. Through continued collaboration, innovative funding and ambitious enrichment opportunities, the academy is ensuring learners are industry‑ready, digitally skilled and globally aware.