A fintech training centre that has worked with likes of University of California Berkeley, and The Wharton School of Business, has partnered with the Bermuda Government to launch a free online programme for Bermuda residents.

San Francisco-based FinTech School said it any citizen of Bermuda will be able to access financial technology courses developed by the school.

This was confirmed late last night by the Government, which in a statement detailed the free online training opportunities.

It ties in with a technology training and education programme unveiled by the Government in February.

FinTech School has been operating for three years and has worked with partners that include Moody’s Analytics, Agricultural Bank of China, Huatai Securities, and Malaysia’s Fintech Lab. It has trained 40 banks, 12 universities and more than 2,000 students from 75 countries.

The school said its partnership with Bermuda is part of the Government’s fintech education programme, and that it would also enable government employees to learn fintech, and for government entities to work in traditional positions within fintech. In addition, locals will have the opportunity to become trainers through the school’s train-the-trainer programme.

Amilcar Chavarria, chief executive officer of Fintech School, said: “We are very excited to work along Dr Gina Tucker and the Government of Bermuda. This is a major milestone for us to have this opportunity to continue our mission to accelerate economies.

The fintech and blockchain entrepreneur added: “Through this partnership, we can have an impact to foster economic growth via job creation, banking the unbanked, and stimulating new industries to flourish within Bermuda.”

Meanwhile, David Burt said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Bermuda, as the Government continues to sponsor training and education opportunities in this industry.”

Three months ago, the Premier unveiled a technology training and education programme, set up by the Fintech Business Unit, to enable Bermudians to acquire the skills and knowledge they will need to seek employment with technology and fintech companies that are setting up a presence in Bermuda, or those that have expressed an intention to do so.

The Government has set aside $100,000 in its current budget to sponsor phase one of the programme this year. In February, it said it had attracted interest from 25 Bermudians keen to learn about training and career opportunities in the technology and fintech sector.

Boot camps, group classes and online training are part of the programme. Dr Tucker, of the Fintech Business Unit, led a briefing sessions about the training programme.

Last night, Mr Burt said: “Our partnership with the FinTech School is part of the second phase of this education programme. As Bermuda’s FinTech push continues to bear fruit, with more companies setting up on the island, the view and the vision of this Government is to establish a sound regulatory environment and to establish an excellent place where companies can look to do business.”

The education programmes are designed to meet the needs of all sectors of the community, irrespective of an individual’s experience level.

FinTech School has nine online courses, and among the topics are blockchain, robo-advisers, and artificial intelligence in fintech. It is developing courses that include regulation for fintech, payments and transfers, and alternative learning.

Participants enrolled in the FinTech School will have access to a bundle of courses that are self-paced.

Interested persons should go to www.fintech.bm/freetraining to access the online courses, from today until midnight on November 17. The code for those who wish to access the courses online in Bermuda only, is “FTB”.

• This article has been updated to include the Government’s statement.