As part of the agreement, women, individuals from minority backgrounds, and first-generation college students can enroll in paid training programs in Java Development, Test, and DevOps from Sparta Global, a B-Corp-certified recruit, train, and deploy organization.

These 'Spartans' can join NatWest's team and work on the One Bank Mortgages (OBM) platform after completing their training.

Twelve Spartan consultants with backgrounds in software engineering, test automation, and DevOps were chosen to join NatWest's OBM team in January 2022 based only on their potential, attitude, and aptitude—not on their educational background or prior experience with technology. Of them, 11 have become full-time employees since joining the company.

According to Gary Johnson, head of change at OBM, NatWest, "everyone was given the chance to succeed, fail, and grow. Some have simply been able to do what they have always wanted to do, while others have found a passion for aspects of the profession they were unaware existed. Everyone has performed quite well."

"Hiring today's generation of early career talent requires an understanding of their attributes, empathy for their diverse values, and a management style that engages their interests and preferences," says David Rai, CEO of Sparta Global.

Recognizing this ethos, NatWest and the OBM team have collaboratively established an exceptional environment where emerging talent can flourish and make meaningful contributions to future organizational success.