Data is the lifeblood of any great organisation. But in the public sector, data is essential to help change the lives of the people you serve for the better.
The biggest challenge we need to address is that while your organisation may be data-rich, it doesn’t necessarily mean you know what to do with that data. Without the right data and AI skills, you don’t know how to extract data insights that inform decision-making for your organisation, and you don’t know how to reuse data to get to new, different, or better outcomes for your residents.
Local Authorities Are Buried in a Mountain of Information
From demographic data to housing, finance, social care, service delivery, land and property, business and economy, crime and justice, mapping and more, local authorities produce vast quantities of data every day.
But data alone is meaningless.
To be useful, it first needs to be processed, understood, and the insights extracted. Only then can you use it to make valuable decisions about social care, waste collection, procurement, gritting roads, council tax collection, planning applications…etc.
Data is what enables you to provide targeted and effective services that meet the needs of your residents. It’s what ensures precious resources are spent responsibly and provides a good return. And it’s what keeps people safe, by ensuring essential services are joined up, so vulnerable people don’t fall between the cracks, or social issues are pushed to the wayside.
Despite being an equivalent size to a large private enterprise, the reality is local authorities simply don’t have the same resources, and this puts you at a disadvantage.
For example, public sector organisations are losing the war on talent, and in fact, never really stood a chance in the first place. According to the ‘State of Digital Government Review’, which was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology:
- Just 2% of local government employees are in digital or data roles, compared to 12% in the private sector
- Private sector tech talent earns 35-40% more than those working in the same role for a public sector organisation
- Only 50% of data-related roles advertised in public sector organisations were filled last year, compared to 80% in 2020
As a result, local authorities are desperately lacking the knowledge and expertise they need to deliver on their vision and mission. Alarmingly, just 2% of local authorities consider themselves to have the data skills necessary to innovate, while a third are only now beginning their journey towards working with data.
Do Outside Contractors Solve Your Skills Challenge?
To combat the difficulty of hiring talent in-house, many organisations are choosing to hire external data experts to plug their skills gaps. Short-term, it may seem like a good option, but long-term, it’s going to cripple your finances further.
The State of Digital Government Review calculated that every year, local authorities spend £14.5 billion on contractors, managed services providers, and IT consultants, with the average contractor costing 3x as much when compared to an equivalent employee.
But that’s assuming you can afford to pay an external contractor, which not everyone can.
Fail to secure the skills you need, and you’ll continue to struggle to benefit from data insights because siloed information, fragmented services, and disparate systems lead to duplicated effort and missed opportunities. It’s why digital and data projects are 60% more likely to be reporting ‘red’ status. And as we enter deeper into the era of AI, local authorities without data skills will remain on the back foot.
So what’s the best way to solve your data skills challenge?
Build Your Own Data and Digital Skills Academy
Oxfordshire County Council is working in partnership with Cambridge Spark to redefine local government innovation by creating its own Data and Digital Skills Academy, which is funded via the Apprenticeship Levy.
At Cambridge Spark, we set the gold standard. We’re always first to market with recognised certifications and qualifications that develop new skills, which to date have generated £350m+ in ROI for our clients.
The Academy is designed to equip the Council’s employees with advanced data and digital skills to enable smarter decision-making, process automation, and improved services across key areas, like safeguarding and infrastructure.
“Data and digital skills are essential for transforming services, identifying inefficiencies, and addressing challenges proactively. By investing in skills development, we free up resources to focus on deeper, more complex analyses.”
Mat Pickering, Head of Data, Oxfordshire County Council
In the last year, 62 employees have enrolled on a programme through the Council’s Academy, achieving a 92% distinction and merit rate – a figure far above the national average of 54%. Together, they have learned how to leverage data and digital to achieve a significant impact for the Council:
- £3.5m debt resolution achieved with enhanced data analysis skills
- 260+ hours saved annually in safeguarding
- 50% less time needed for EV infrastructure project refinement
Read the case study in full to discover how Oxfordshire County Council upskilled its staff and turned data into a strategic asset to improve public services and decision-making.
Transform Public Services with Data
Alternatively, to discuss your Data and AI Academy, explore the impact it could have on your organisation, and realise the benefits it could deliver to the way you serve your residents, why not get in touch?
Our expert team is always on hand to provide advice and answer any questions you may have.