Nationwide partners with CAPSLOCK to boost cyber skills

Nationwide has announced a collaboration with CAPSLOCK to provide a specialised cybersecurity training programme as part of its Technology Development Programme.

The initiative is designed to fast-track IT careers at Nationwide, a prominent UK building society, by focusing specifically on enhancing cyber skills. This partnership marks the first instance of Nationwide working with a dedicated cyber skills training partner, emphasising a hands-on approach to cyber education.

For nearly a decade, Nationwide has been active in nurturing talent within its programme, training over 300 graduates and individuals transitioning their careers into IT. The latest partnership aims to introduce more diversity into Nationwide's cybersecurity function while also contributing to the UK's overall cybersecurity expertise.

Working closely with Nationwide's careers team, CAPSLOCK is tasked with supporting the onboarding, training, and role allocation of new recruits into Nationwide's cyber division. CAPSLOCK's tailored programme has upskilled the first cohort of Nationwide learners to meet the demands of both the hiring and threat landscapes in cybersecurity.

CAPSLOCK trained the Nationwide participants over a 16-week period, resulting in them earning Ce-CSP certifications as Certified Cyber Security Practitioners. The curriculum of CAPSLOCK simulated real workplace environments, facilitating a team-oriented and problem-solving approach, equipping graduates with practical skills applicable in the cybersecurity industry.

The programme not only covered risk and technology disciplines but also focused on impact skills and culture building, touching on ethics, resilience, and business continuity. Building on the success of this bespoke training, plans are in development to offer further upskilling opportunities during 2025.

David Boda, Chief Security and Resilience Officer at Nationwide, remarked, "There's always something new to learn when you work in cyber, but this makes staying ahead of the threat landscape challenging. You need different perspectives if you want to succeed. We feel that companies like Nationwide have a responsibility to help develop the UK's cybersecurity skillset. That's why we've partnered with CAPSLOCK – to bring more diversity not just into the company but into the UK cyber industry as a whole."

Dr Andrea Cullen, CEO and Co-founder of CAPSLOCK, commented, "To combat threat actors, you must be able to think like one. That's why the UK's cyber resilience relies heavily on diversity of experience, background and thinking. The values of Nationwide's development programme align strongly with our own. Learners don't need to have a technical background. They can be graduates and career changers with a passion for cyber and valuable transferable skills from other life experiences. This is a vital part of the CAPSLOCK ethos and why we're proud to support Nationwide in strengthening its cyber workforce."

Nationwide, recognised as the world's largest building society, is committed to enhancing the UK's digital, technology, and cyber skills. It maintains a workforce of over 18,000 employees distributed across its headquarters in Swindon and its network of more than 600 branches, providing a wide range of financial services.