The Digital Office and Scottish Government Partners with Data Literacy Academy to drive societal change across Scotland

The Digital Office for Scottish Local Government and the Scottish Government, through the Scottish Digital Academy have developed a new partnership with the Data Literacy Academy. This programme aims to empower teams with the data skills needed to drive positive societal change across Scotland.

Data is at the heart of effective public services. This programme will equip colleagues, regardless of their role, to understand and use data confidently, moving beyond intuition alone to make informed decisions that benefit our communities. Participants don’t need a technical background; the training is designed to be relevant and accessible for everyone.

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.

We aim to cultivate a culture where data informs action at every level. This programme is a crucial step in leveraging data as a strategic asset, helping us work smarter and more effectively for the people of Scotland. Look out for more information coming soon!

What does data mean to you?

When you hear the word ‘data’, what comes to mind? Complex charts? Something just for analysts? While some areas of data can be technical, data is fundamentally linked with the day to day work we all do across the Scottish Government and public services.

Every time you record information, update a case file, analyse service feedback, or plan resource allocation, you are using and generating data. It's present in the details of public needs, patterns in service delivery, and the information guiding policy decisions. Recognising this information and the benefits it can bring us is the first step towards using it to make smarter, faster decisions for our communities.

Think about your recent work. Were you reviewing figures to inform policy? Analysing feedback to improve a public service? Scheduling tasks based on observed needs? That's all data. Used effectively, it helps us understand societal challenges in a much better way, allocate resources efficiently, and drive better outcomes for the general public. It enables decisions grounded in evidence, enhancing the vital services we provide.

You don't need to be a data expert, but instead we need everyone to be curious about data regardless of which team or area you work within. The Data Literacy Academy programme is about fostering curiosity – the confidence to ask 'why?', spot patterns, and connect information to outcomes. Building this data mindset helps us all contribute more effectively.

Let's not view data as a separate task, but as an integral tool already in our hands that helps us better understand the people we serve and the communities we support. It holds immense potential to improve our work, strengthen our services, and deliver positive change across Scotland.

Shaping our future with data

Across government, at local and national level, every one of us has a role to play in shaping what comes next for our communities and public services. We are building a future where data isn't just information we hold, but a powerful tool. When it’s used confidently and thoughtfully, we can drive positive change across the country.

This requires a cultural shift, moving away from siloed approaches towards collaboration and shared understanding. We want everyone to be open to embracing new ways of thinking about the information we collect and store, and how we act on it.

Why data matters to us all

This transformation isn't about needing everyone to become a data expert. It’s about fostering a culture of curiosity, being open to new ways of working, and recognising that data is at the heart of everything we do.

We know that pockets of data enthusiasm exist, so it’s time to bridge the gap for teams that are less familiar with data. This will make sure that data is understood and valued across all roles and levels. Embracing data will help us move beyond assumptions towards accurate insights, tackle complex challenges like child poverty, and remain focused on meeting the needs of the people we serve.

The skills for our future, today

Delivering excellent, efficient public services requires deeply understanding needs, using resources effectively, and collaborating across teams and organisations. The ability to find, understand, question, and act on insights from data is becoming fundamental. We need to break down silos and develop data capabilities consistently, unlocking everyone’s potential. This isn't just for analysts; it’s a capability benefiting everyone working for us, empowering us to innovate and make informed decisions.

Using data to work smarter, not harder

Ready to use data to work smarter, not harder, across Scotland's public sector? Whether you're involved in policy, delivery, or support functions, you interact with data constantly! Could harnessing data help us achieve better outcomes? We think so.

It’s time to evolve

Improving services and tackling societal issues must be central to everything we do. In today's complex environment, relying solely on established ways of working isn't always the best way to continue – especially when we know we can make the most of information and tools at our fingertips to work more effectively. Better use of data offers a significant opportunity to enhance collaboration, save valuable time, and ultimately deliver greater positive impact for people and communities.

Working smarter with data

Consider tasks that feel repetitive or inefficient – perhaps chasing information across different teams or organisations, manually creating reports, or dealing with recurring issues without clear insight into the root causes. These processes can divert time from more strategic or proactive tasks. Building confidence with data helps us identify patterns, access information more readily, potentially automate routine tasks, and improve the trustworthiness of our insights. Of course, this hinges on ensuring our data is accurate, well-managed, and readily shareable – which is a collective effort.

The next step

Harnessing data more intentionally means unlocking potential at every level. It's about breaking down silos, using shared standards, and letting data insights handle some of the heavy lifting that many of us need to do currently. This frees up our capacity for the vital, human-centric aspects of public service across Scotland.