2025 Highlight Day 2: Digital Capability Advisory Group

Further to Day 1’s highlight on the refreshed  Digital Strategy for Scotland, a collaboration between Scottish and Local Government, we now focus on the 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 Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, in partnership with the Scottish Digital Academy, 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. 

What’s Happening Now

So, what does this look like in practice? Here are some of the initiatives you can expect to see  through the DCAG collaborations and that you can get involved with:

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.  

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.

• 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. 
• National Training Platform: Exploring a shared Learning Management System for Scottish councils, in collaboration with the Society of Personnel Development Scotland (SPDS), COSLA and National Education Scotland (NES) to reduce duplication and improve workforce development.
• Artificial Intelligence: A unified approach for AI Policy Principles, mandatory training, adoption of a risk-based governance model, commitment to exploring common solutions and shared resources to optimise efficiencies across Scottish local authorities and the wider public sector. 

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, develop capabilities to increase confidence to embrace emerging technologies and through the DCAG, explore common digital solutions and shared resources.

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. 
 
Lee Dunn, Head of the Scottish Digital Academy said, "It’s essential that all parts of the system work together to bring about the changes we want to see. The partnership between Scottish Government and Local Government through our joint commitments, signals our shared ambition to realise the outcomes that are required to build digital skills and capability. The Digital Capability Advisory Group provides a platform for our partners and stakeholders to engage with us and to collaborate, reducing duplication and effort.”

Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government said, "A Digital Capability Advisory Group in the public sector not only drives informed decision-making but also promotes cost savings and operational efficiency. By leveraging shared resources and cross-functional expertise, it reduces duplication of efforts and encourages collaboration. This leads to streamlined processes, optimised use of existing capabilities, and more effective solutions to complex challenges, ensuring that public services are both innovative and cost-effective."