First State Fintech Lab partners with TechGirlz to bring middle school workshops

TechGirlz, the Philly-based national nonprofit that offers free tech workshops to middle school girls, will soon have an expanded presence in Delaware, thanks to a partnership with the First State Fintech Lab.

The program, designed to get girls interested in careers in tech and, in this case, in Delaware’s growing fintech industry, will feature a fintech-focused curriculum and series of workshops.

“As Delaware’s financial technology industry continues to grow, this partnership will help inspire a future workforce of diversified talent that will make our state and its innovative companies even more competitive,” said Meghan Wallace, cofounder of First State Fintech Lab, in a statement. “By engaging early with young women and providing them with a path to rewarding careers in the fintech industry, we can build a more diverse financial services ecosystem while providing our girls with greater access and opportunities.”

TechGirlz workshops across the country focus on various STEM topics, including robotics, gaming, digital design and podcasting. The new Delaware program, slated to launch in the first half of 2020, will add fintech to the list, with workshops that teach both technology training and financial literacy education.

In March, TechGirlz partnered with Brandywine Technology for a coding event in Wilmington for Women’s History Month, where the world record for the most girls coding at the same time in multiple locations was set.

The program aligns with recent talent pipeline trends in Delaware that focus on creating homegrown talent for tech jobs in the state.

Three full-time positions will be created for the Delaware program in its initial stage.