School’s in with NatWest data academy
NatWest will establish a data academy in the UK that aims to train 1,000 staff in its first year in how best to understand and harness data.
A UK banking “first”
In a national “first” for a bank, it will be open to all 70,000 employees. There is no specific launch date or location yet.
NatWest explains: “With data now considered the fuel for innovation, the move is central to both the bank’s digital transformation and realising the full potential of a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.”
The academy will offer a range of training, courses and qualifications that will cover all levels of proficiency.
The bank’s senior executive team, which includes CEO Ross McEwan and CFO Katie Murray, will all enrol in the academy and receive data training.
According to the bank, the academy compliments the data innovation research unit opened in November at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh University.
Across the UK, banks are trying to get ahead in the digital revamp race. This can include working with fintechs, or investing in them – but also the darker side, such as job losses and branch cuts.
NatWest is part of RBS, and the latter’s interest in digital is well documented.
It has recently launched its standalone SME digital entity Mettle; and unveiled the digital-only retail bank Bó.
