Charting Scotland’s skills for the future
Ministerial visit to DataFest celebrates launch of skills framework helping businesses and individuals upskill in data and AI.
A Data and AI Skills Framework has been launched to help reduce barriers to data and AI upskilling, offering pathways to individuals, teams, and organisations to build their data and AI capabilities.
Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, welcomed the framework developed by The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for data and AI, at the launch event in May.
Anna Ashton-Scott with Graeme Dey MSP
Over 80 senior staff from the public, private, and higher and further education sectors attended the launch event at the Assembly Rooms as part of DataFest 2025. It was part of the wider pre-conference programme for organisations and professionals focused on future-proofing skills in data and AI.
Based on recent research by The Data Lab and YouGov identifying current data and AI skills gaps across sectors in Scotland, the framework can be applied to create targeted training pathways in an educational and employability context.
With 62% of 413 Scottish business leaders surveyed rating their organisations’ data and AI literacy as moderate or low, the framework emphasises the importance of foundational skills in establishing a strong baseline in data and AI. These skills equip learners to navigate and leverage data effectively, setting the stage for more advanced studies and professional roles.
The taxonomy includes sector-specific pathways to address unique industry needs in Scotland, such as public health, finance, and renewable energy. For instance, professional development programmes in Scotland’s renewable energy sector could integrate AI ethics and data management to address local industry needs.
Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Scottish Government, said:
“This is an exciting time to be involved in the world of data and AI and the impressive programme for this year’s DataFest is testament to the vitality of the sector here in Scotland.
“It is clear that technological advances are transforming how we live and work, driving growth and innovation across a range of sectors.
“The Data Lab’s Data and AI Skills Framework will be a vital asset across sectors and communities, driving the knowledge and learning needed to shape Scotland’s future – setting the course for success and a future built on the talent that surrounds us.”
Anna Ashton-Scott, Head of Skills at The Data Lab, said:
“It can be daunting to know where to get started with data and AI skills, so we created our skills framework to make it easy for people to chart their learning journey and know what skills to build next, for themselves or for their employees.
“Foundational data and AI literacy is becoming essential across job roles in every sector, regardless of seniority, but we know that there are still significant gaps. We hope our updated framework will be a powerful tool to help individuals and organisations progress across foundational, intermediate and advanced literacy levels to ensure no-one is left behind.”
The Data and AI Skills Framework builds on the work of the Data Skills for Work project, part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Data Skills Gateway Programme. The Framework aligns with Scotland’s Digital Economy Skills Action Plan (2023-2028), which emphasises the importance of equipping the workforce with the necessary digital competencies to support Scotland’s economic vision. Despite advancements in digital education, challenges persist, particularly concerning data skills, the adaptation of AI technologies, and regional disparities, which the Skills Framework hopes to address.
For more information about the Data and AI Skills Framework, visit: