Bradford College IT students gained a valuable insight into the future of banking, cyber security and digital payment systems thanks to a special guest speaker session delivered in partnership with the Bank of England.
Nicolas Policarpo, a Policy Analyst from the Bank’s digital and payments team, visited Bradford College to speak with our IT students about the technologies that power the UK’s banking infrastructure, the evolving world of digital payments, and the growing importance of cyber security within financial systems.
During the session, students explored how the Bank of England operates and regulates payment technologies across the UK, while also learning about the wide range of career opportunities becoming available as the Bank continues to expand its presence in Yorkshire through its growing Leeds office and future West Yorkshire operations.
Speaking about the visit, Nicolas said:
“A massive motivation behind the Bank’s expansion outside London is tapping into the rich talent communities across the country, especially here in Yorkshire and at somewhere like Bradford College. We want students to know that opportunities with the Bank of England are available right here in Leeds and West Yorkshire, not just in London.”
Nicolas also encouraged students to remain open-minded about their future careers, explaining that many roles within the Bank of England welcome a wide range of backgrounds and skillsets beyond traditional finance pathways.
“People aren’t square boxes. Your interests and experiences can take you further than you might think. I didn’t come from a traditional finance background myself, but I’ve been able to build a career where I’ve developed new skills and applied existing ones in ways I never expected.”
The visit forms part of Bradford College’s ongoing commitment to building strong employer partnerships that give students direct access to industry expertise and future employment opportunities.
Rashad Ayub, IT Tutor at Bradford College, said:
“It was fantastic for our students to hear directly from the Bank of England about the real-world applications of cyber security, digital infrastructure and payment technologies. Sessions like this help bring classroom learning to life and show our students the exciting opportunities available to them right here in West Yorkshire. Building relationships with organisations like the Bank of England is incredibly valuable in helping our learners understand the wide range of careers they can progress into after college.”
This partnership highlights Bradford College’s focus on connecting students with leading employers and ensuring learners are equipped with the skills, knowledge and industry insight needed for the future digital workforce.
Interested in inspiring the next generation, supporting local talent and building connections with your future employees, find out more about working with Bradford College through our Employer Partnership Scheme.