A new partnership formed between Scotland’s local government digital transformation agency and a national data skills academy is aiming to boost data literacy across the public sector.
The Digital Office for Scottish Local Government has developed the partnership with the Data Literacy Academy, through the Scottish Digital Academy.
The programme aims to empower teams with the data skills needed to drive positive societal change across Scotland, equipping public sector teams with the skills and confidence to use data within their organisations.
Participants in the scheme do not need to have come from a technical background, with training designed to be ‘relevant and accessible for everyone’, the Digital Office said in a statement.
‘By breaking down silos and fostering collaboration, we can leverage data to tackle pressing issues like child poverty and improve service delivery. This partnership will help unlock everyone’s potential, building trust in data and ensuring it’s used effectively and ethically to shape better outcomes and policies for Scotland,’ the agency said.
Verity Hislop, senior project manager, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, said: “Data literacy in the public sector is no longer optional, it’s the foundation for a workforce that can proactively shape policy, embrace emerging technologies, and deliver better outcomes for communities.
“From fragmented capabilities to inconsistent access to training, many organisations struggle to embed a culture where data is trusted, understood, and used effectively. Building this capability must be a collaborative effort across departments, councils, and national partners, so that we not only up-skill individuals but also create a shared culture of innovation, stewardship, and continuous improvement.”
Lee Dunn, head of the Scottish Digital Academy, a division of the Scottish Government, said: “As we build a more digitally confident public sector, developing data literacy skills is essential. By working in partnership with local government, we can share knowledge, build capability, and turn data into decisions that truly improve people’s lives.”
Greg Freeman, founder and CEO of Data Literacy Academy, said: “Our partnership with the Scottish Digital Academy & Digital Office for Scottish Local Government reflects a powerful ambition – building a data-driven culture that reaches beyond data teams and empowers people at every level of government to use data with confidence.
“We’re already delivering programmes to support that ambition. The work we’re doing is empowering people across the government to use data in their day-to-day roles, so they can make faster, smarter data-driven decisions. Scottish Digital Academy & Digital Office for Scottish Local Government’s investment will unlock a more joined-up public services, strengthen cross-sector collaboration and support the people and communities in Scotland that the government serves.”
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