Workforce Investment Network (WIN)

Our partners see the WIN program as a bold and audacious pathway to unlock untapped talent in the community. Through this initiative, sponsor companies will receive and onboard qualified talent while also making an impact on the community they serve, a true win-win scenario.

Program Overview

Carolina Fintech Hub is a nonprofit partnership of leading financial services firms, fintech companies, universities and government working to fuel the future growth and success of emerging financial technologies. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, we ensure fintech in all verticals have access to the talent, capital, financial industry expertise and strategic alliances they need to succeed.

What is the Workforce Investment Network (WIN)?

Carolina Fintech Hub is teaming up with community and national leaders to create new pathways for untapped talent to find great work in technology. WIN will offer paid professional development to underserved, motivated adults in the Carolinas. Upon successful completion of the intensive 24-week program, the participant will be offered full time employment at a predetermined sponsor institution.

Mission Outcomes:

  • Provide upward mobility opportunities for underserved communities
  • Combat the perceived lack of technology talent in region
  • Increase the number of minorities and women pursuing careers in technology

 

Who Hires WIN Graduates and Why?

Our partners see the WIN program as a bold and audacious pathway to unlock untapped talent in the community. Through this initiative, sponsor companies will receive and onboard qualified talent while also making an impact on the community they serve, a true win-win scenario.

Some of our hiring partners include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Truist, Ally, EY, Lowe’s, and many, many more.

 

WIN in the news:

Wells Fargo — https://stories.wf.com/getting-paid-learn-code

Channel 3 — https://www.wbtv.com/2019/09/09/new-program-tackling-economic-mobility-presents-first-graduating-class/

Charlotte Inno article — https://www.americaninno.com/charlotte/profiles-charlotte/not-too-good-to-be-true-how-the-win-program-helps-build-and-enrich-clts-tech-talent/

 

More information directly from the CFH Team:

Video recording from the 9/22/2020 WIN Info Session held virtually = https://youtu.be/3NW6h4tdDNU

Video recording from the 9/30/2020 WIN Info Session held virtually = https://youtu.be/bC2pA4MYClw

Recent blog post written by CFH staff = https://www.carolinafintechhub.org/win-how-a-life-changing-program-provides-new-opportunities-for-aspiring-technologists/

 

Upcoming Cohort Timeline

We currently have a cohort in session that is scheduled to graduate in late July. If you would like to stay informed on when the next cohort will begin recruiting, please add your name to the mailing list below and/or follow us on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn).

 

Register below in order to be added to our WIN mailing list so you can stay up-to-date on all upcoming WIN related items.

WIN Apply Cohort #3

 

Two individuals looking at a computer screen together

Pipeline & Screening

If you are a motivated individual looking for a chance to make a huge positive change in your career and want to work in an in-demand technology role, apply for the WIN program today. Here is an outline of our screening process:

  • Virtual Registration
  • Online Aptitude Assessment
  • Online Written-Response Questionaire
  • In-person Interview #1
  • In-person Interview #2

Resources

Our hypothesis is that the limiting factor for most people who are struggling to get their career started isn’t aptitude, its resource constraint. Therefore, applicants accepted into the WIN program will receive all the resources and wrap-around services needed to alleviate and address pressing issues like housing, childcare, transportation, and many more. On top of that, we will pay you a full-time salary starting on day one between $30-35k which will increase as you progress through the program. Community partners provide:

Childcare

Career Coaching

Counseling Services

Food Stability

Financial Literacy

Healthcare

Housing

Salaries

Laptops

Mentoring

Transportation

Graduation and Full-time Placement

Upon successful completion of the intensive 6-month program, the participant will continue their full-time employment at a participating sponsor institution.

Curriculum

Our curriculum concentrates on four focus areas:

Technical proficiency
Don’t know how to code? No problem. We will teach you.

Soft-skills
Learn to communicate and collaborate with others, practice empathy, and increase your emotional intelligence.

On-the-job Training
The best way to learn is to do! During the second half of the training program, you will actually start working the job you will transition to once you graduate. Meet your manager, ask questions, and incorporate the takeaways as specialized curriculum when you return to the classroom.

Industry Expertise
Never worked for a large corporation before? We are here to help. Leaders in business will provide a lecture series to help you understand all of the critical and foundational elements you need to know before starting your first day on the job. Professionals from a variety of different industries will also mentor you one-on-one to make sure you are starting to network and build the relationships you need to foster a meaningful career.

Placement and Program Outcomes

Our WIN first cohort graduated to become developers at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, EY, Truist, and Ally with a starting salary of $55k. The sponsors for the second cohort include all of those companies and many more! Our expectation is that the WIN graduates will be on a pathway to catapult their socio-economic status and be able to traverse their career just as successfully and efficiently as a candidate from a four-year university.

Who are the Community Partners?

The Workforce Investment Network (WIN) will offer paid professional development and a job on day one in the Carolinas. Upon successful completion of the intensive 6 month
program, the participant will continue their full time employment at a participating
institution (listed below).

  • Bank of America
  • Wells Fargo
  • BB&T
  • Ally
  • EY
  • And many more!
What makes a good candidate for WIN?
  • Motivated person who may not have a traditional route to explore technology opportunities today
  • Strong interest in jobs within the technology industry
  • High aptitude for learning and soft skill developmentReady, willing, and able to do what it takes to be successful in a game-changing career
What is the application process?

Applicants who believe they have what it takes to be successful in WIN start by filling out the basic application below. In the coming weeks, Applicants who show a strong aptitude for doing well in the WIN program will receive an assessment to take.

If they pass the initial assessment, selected applicants will be screened for minimum requirements and have an in-person interview.

At this point, if an applicant is accepted into the WIN program they will begin their new career and start getting paid.

What will I learn?

Gain experience both in and out of the classroom. Over 700 hours of classroom instruction plus part-time office exposure, all while getting paid!

  • 24-week Java training program (curriculum by Tech Talent South)
  • Soft-skills training through Charlotte Works
  • On-the-job training
Who are the participating institutions?
  • Bank of America
  • Wells Fargo
  • BB&T
  • Ally
  • EY
  • More to come!
What does a job look like?

Jobs will vary depending on the institution; however, you can expect to be part of the technology side of the house. Jobs will range from junior developers, QA testers, prototypers, and technical operations staff.

How much does this program cost?

Nothing! Matter of fact, we are paying you! (~$30-35k pro-rated annualized salary)

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the program?

Yes! Graduation is contingent upon passing all ongoing assessment, however if you make it to the end of the program, you will transition into a full-time role at one of our partner institutions.

What resources are available to students?

For students accepted into the program, Carolina Fintech Hub will work with our community partners to provide laptops and technology tools, along with additional wrap-around services. For example, if a student is having a hard time commuting to the Uptown location, we will work with them to provide public transportation. Similar resources are available and we encourage all students to communicate possible resource limitations during the time of their interview (this will NOT impact the applicants’ admission decision).

Where is the program located?

The upcoming cohort will be made available virtually through Zoom.

How long is the program?

The program is 24 weeks long

When is training?

Training will take place Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.

Who is the Carolina Fintech Hub and why are they doing this?

Carolina Fintech Hub is a nonprofit partnership of leading financial services firms, fintech companies, universities and government working to fuel the future growth and success of emerging financial technologies. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, we ensure fintech in all verticals have access to the talent, capital, financial industry expertise and strategic alliances they need to succeed.

Our partners see the WIN program as a bold and audacious pathway to unlock untapped talent in the community. Through this initiative, sponsor companies will receive and onboard qualified talent while also making an impact on the community they serve, a true win-win scenario.

What are the WIN Participants Saying?

“Despite earning my degree from the Wharton School of Business, the last decade has been mired with various jobs and experiences far from any semblance of a meaningful career. Now, thanks to Carolina Fintech, once shattered dreams are in reach and I will be able to more positively influence my family, community, and generations to come.”

Prentice Bess, Wells Fargo

“While I've always possessed the ambition and the fundamental talent to reach extraordinary heights, I struggled to maintain faith in myself as circumstances threw me far from my imagined path. I'm now fighting to rebuild the hope that once drove me, and I'm determined to seize this opportunity to learn from brilliant people in an ever-evolving field, to master a new skill, and, ultimately, to provide lasting security to my family.”

Torie Dominguez, BAC

“Despite obtaining a master’s degree, no amount of education, experience gained, or time worked has helped me secure a full-time opportunity that provides a suitable quality of life for my children. Becoming a developer will not only help me with my career and professional development but it will allow me to grow by learning something new everyday.”

Tiquila McNeill, EY

Become a Sponsor

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for WIN, please email pasha.maher@carolinafintechhub.org for more information!

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