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With more than 60,000 people working in financial services in Northeast Florida with significant growth in financial technology opportunity, there is a necessary drive toward developing a pipeline of skilled fintech talent to feed into local and state businesses in the field. Yesterday, JAXUSA Partnership, Florida State College at Jacksonville and St. Johns River State College officially launched the Northeast Florida Fintech Initiative, a directive of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ made earlier this year.

The $3.6 million grant awarded to the two colleges and local financial services companies will create a training program to develop the highly skilled workers needed for the growing fintech sector. Tuesday’s announcement focused on the next step of the process: the development of curriculum, employment and business recruitment program to be powered a business and industry leadership team (BILT) of fintech companies that will help identify the skills, competencies and credentials that employees need to excel in these jobs.

“As the industry continues to mature, further developing finance and tech talent will be top-of-mind for companies in Jacksonville and our region is primed to be at the forefront of creating future fintech talent,” JAXUSA President Aundra Wallace said.

Some strategies toward developing the talent pipeline through this program include creating two new fintech certificates, developing a fintech support technician boot camp academy fast-track program, paid scholarships and adding fintech instruction to existing courses. Plans also include simulation labs and classroom space for students that can also be used by the industry for training and events.

The initiative is planned to be in operation for the fall 2021 term.