SMEs reap the benefits of our workforce upskilling fund

Data Skills for Work received a funding boost of £100k from the Scottish Government in March 2021 to expand its Data Skills Credits Scheme to SMEs across Scotland and support upskilling in data. One year on, 19 employers and 6 training providers have participated in the scheme, allowing an impressive 234 learners to access data training.

Data Skills for Work

Delivered under the Data Skills Credits programme (by Data Skills for Work as part of the Data Skills Gateway) and support from The Data Lab, the funding saw over 25 different data courses being delivered across different companies such as AOP Associates Ltd, Altruderm Ltd, Data Pepper Limited, Pour, West Highland Holidays Ltd and CorporateHealth International UK. The courses were delivered by trusted providers with a successful record of partnership with Data Skills for Work: CodeClan, Sixth Sense, Institute of Data Marketing, Code Division, Digital Skills Education and Andy Kirk.

Among the courses delivered were: R for data analysis, Fundamentals of Coding, Data Visualisations with R, Data Analysis and Applied Statistics. One of the employers said that their “course was an important step on us developing our staff's awareness of data issues. We are now rolling out the utilization of these skills in earnest. I have earmarked staff who did particularly well on the course for further internal/external staff data skills development.” Other learner said that their course “provided great insight into data analysis and avoiding bias.”

For those at the beginning of their data journey, “the course tutors were clear, concise, friendly and took the time to answer questions and ensure that everyone understood before moving on to the next subject. This made it easy to learn and understand regardless of your experience/ability to use technology. I now have a better understanding of data breaches, choosing better passwords, file encryption, how to share messages securely and how to stay safe when using public Wifi.”

Our commitment to equality and diversity

Data Skills for Work programme is driven by a mission to help Scotland maximise value from data and make sure everyone has the same access to opportunities and funding. It was important for us to know that this project reached learners from BAME backgrounds, women and those who can be considered underprivileged.

A year later, as reports are coming through, we are delighted to see the results and outreach this funding has achieved. Learners who benefitted the courses, come from different corners of Scotland such as Edinburgh, Dundee, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Fife, Stirling, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen, Highlands, Scottish Borders, Orkney Islands, Dumfries and Galloway, and Midlothian.

Other tracked demographics so far:

“I think my staff have more awareness now of how important the data side of our business is, especially for sales knowledge and stock management. They can put it together now, whereas beforehand it seemed more abstract to them.”

·         Half of the learners are women

·         10 at risk of redundancy

·         33 learners are from BAME backgrounds

·         55 learners are either underemployed or earning less than £24,000 pa

·         4 living with disability

·         40 women advancing at work

Impact and outcomes

But next to numbers and demographics, there is also impact and results - all vital ingredients in ensuring every funding opportunity bears fruit. When asked about immediate impacts of the courses on their companies, employers said that these were, “immediate cost savings from reduced duplication and improved processes,” they can “analyse (their) transactions data much more efficiently,” and are “already changing ways in which the business can help clients with data visualisation.”

The long term impact on progression of staff, and therefore, companies has also been highlighted with one of the employers saying: “I think my staff have more awareness now of how important the data side of our business is, especially for sales knowledge and stock management. They can put it together now, whereas beforehand it seemed more abstract to them.”

Another added: “This has allowed us the opportunity to upskill our remaining team members so that we have a small but knowledgeable team who are able to work safely online and protect the business effectively.”

We’re very proud of the results this funding has achieved and are looking forward to more projects like this one. If you’d like to know more about Data Skills for Work, whether you are an employer, individual or provider, please go to: https://dataskillsforwork.com/programme