Scottish Government and Digital Office Partner with Data Literacy Academy to Embed a Culture of Data-Driven Decision Making

A new partnership between the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, the Scottish Government’s Digital Academy, and the Data Literacy Academy has been launched to embed data skills across Scotland’s public services, aiming to drive societal change through smarter, more collaborative working.

The initiative responds to growing recognition that data literacy is no longer optional but foundational for a modern, effective public sector. The programme is designed to support everyone in government, regardless of technical background, to use data confidently in their day-to-day roles, from front-line service delivery to policy planning and resource management.

A cultural shift, not just a skills programme

The training will promote a shift in how public servants view and use data - not as a specialist function, but as a core capability across roles. The goal is to equip public sector teams to move from intuition-led to evidence-based decision-making, breaking down silos and enabling collaboration to tackle complex challenges like child poverty and service inequality.

“This partnership is about building a shared culture of innovation, stewardship and continuous improvement,” said Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager at the Digital Office. “We need to go beyond pockets of enthusiasm and ensure every team is confident and capable in using data to improve lives.”

Lee Dunn, Head of the Scottish Digital Academy, added: “As we build a more digitally confident public sector, developing data literacy skills is essential. By working in partnership with local government, we can share knowledge, build capability, and turn data into decisions that truly improve people’s lives.”

Greg Freeman, CEO of the Data Literacy Academy, emphasised that the collaboration will empower individuals at every level: “It’s not about everyone becoming data experts, but about building confidence to ask questions, spot patterns and act on insights. When we work together, we can unlock faster, smarter decisions and strengthen public services for the people of Scotland.”

With training already being delivered and more activity to follow, the partnership signals a step-change in the ambition to treat data as a strategic asset across Scotland’s public sector.