Our Public Service Reform Strategy published in June 2025, shows that Scotland is in the midst of significant transformation focused on creating digital public services that are person-centred, preventative and delivered locally, so that services are designed around the needs of people and communities rather than the organisational structures that deliver them.
The refreshed Digital Strategy for Scotland that we have developed in collaboration with Local Government in Scotland (published on 18 November 2025), goes hand-in-hand with the Public Service Reform Strategy, and sets out commitments to ensure this vision is achieved.
This includes commitments to develop public sector leadership, skills and capability so our workforce is confident in embracing new ways of working, using emerging technology, and applying data-informed insights.
Turning Vision into Action
The Digital Strategy is supported by a delivery plan that sets out commitments and expectations. These focus on:
1. System leadership – driving change from the top.
2. Common approaches – creating shared standards and solutions.
3. Data – unlocking insights while safeguarding privacy.
4. Public sector workforce and capability – building skills for the future.
5. Advanced technology and innovation – embracing AI and emerging tools responsibly.
At the heart of these commitments is a simple principle: secure, ethical digital services that uphold rights and protect privacy.
A Shared Approach to Public Sector Workforce and Capability
Earlier in the year, the Scottish Digital Academy, in partnership with the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, established a new national Digital Capability Advisory Group (DCAG).
This group consists of representatives from public and third sector organisations, and provides an opportunity to work together to develop capability. One of the more significant steps we are taking is further development of common approaches to digital skills across the public sector. This is a joint commitment and is already changing how we learn and work.
By 2028, the public sector will be working towards adoption of a shared approach to using Open Educational Resources (OER) to support professional learning. But this isn’t just a future goal, we are laying the foundations now. OER are freely available learning materials that help organisations avoid duplicating effort and reduce training costs. They make knowledge accessible to everyone, promoting fairness and transparency.
We are creating high-quality resources that use clear, neutral language, ensuring they work across different organisations. This means that whether you work in health, education, local government, or central government, you can access the same trusted materials. It’s about consistency, collaboration, and cost-effectiveness.
What’s Happening Now
So, what does this look like in practice? Here are some of the changes you can expect to see:
Easier access to training: We are making high-quality learning available to everyone, regardless of role or organisation. Shared materials are setting common standards and reducing duplication, making learning more efficient and cost-effective. We’re already seeing this through Think Data and AI, a collaborative month (November 2025) of professional learning delivered by public sector organisations, Academia and industry partners.
Targeted support for data skills: We are working closely with Scottish Government Data Division, helping teams understand how to use and manage data responsibly. This includes practical guidance on responding to new technologies like artificial intelligence, ensuring that innovation goes hand-in-hand with ethics.
Prospectus: Through the Scottish Digital Academy, we are hosting a new leadership prospectus and a transformation prospectus. These will provide a range of courses and programmes to support the development of capability and capacity within the system.
Why This Matters
Digital skills continue to play an essential part in every job role. Every public service, from healthcare to housing, relies on technology and data. By adopting a shared approach, we are creating a workforce that is skilled, flexible, and ready to respond to change.
This approach also delivers value for money. By co-developing and sharing resources, we avoid duplication and reduce costs. We make learning more efficient, so teams can spend less time searching for training and more time applying their skills to deliver better services.
And it’s not just about efficiency, it’s about fairness. OER for example, ensures that everyone has access to the same high-quality learning, regardless of their organisation or location. This promotes equality and transparency, helping us build a public sector that works for everyone.
Looking Ahead
While we are making progress now, the journey continues. Over the next three years, we will expand the use of OER, introduce a new national model of professional learning, strengthen digital leadership, and, through the Scottish Government Digital Directorate, embed common digital solutions such as identity, payments and licensing across the public sector.
We will continue to focus on ethical use of technology, protecting privacy, and reducing cyber risk. In deploying and scaling these solutions, a programme of education and training support needs to underpin the capability required for adoption.
We are also preparing for the future. Advanced technologies like AI offer huge potential, but they also bring challenges. By building skills and understanding now, and by creating new job roles, we ensure that Scotland can harness these technologies responsibly and effectively.
Digital transformation and public service reform is not something that happens in isolation, it’s a collective effort. Every organisation, every team, and every individual has a role to play. Whether you are a leader shaping strategy, a practitioner delivering services, or a learner building new skills, you are part of Scotland’s digital future.
Together, we are creating a public sector that is connected, innovative, and ready for the challenges ahead. We are building a nation where digital delivers for everyone, and we are doing it now.
You can find out more about the Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Profession, courses and resources via the Scottish Digital Academy.
