The opportunities and challenges of building digital skills

To build skills and capability, we need to consider many things, such as

• curriculum reform and education
• current and future workforces
• building confident and capable digital citizens

At the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS), we test and develop ways to build digital skills and capabilities that meet the needs of the Welsh public sector.

We work with leadership teams in local authorities in Wales to provide training and advice about digital. This can kickstart a shift in culture and thinking that supports new ways of working.

• Not all senior leaders understand how to implement digital transformation, and some actively block it.
• Many public sector staff are keen to help, but need training, help and guidance.
• It’s hard for teams to keep track of good practice and share what they’ve learned 
• There’s no single, concrete understanding of what 'digital' means 

This guide is based on a webinar held in March 2021. We were joined by: 

• Tom Crick, Professor of Digital Education and Policy at Swansea University and CDPS advisory panel member 
• Simon Renault, Business Director at Centre for Digital Public Services 
• Jo Carter, Founder at Service Works 

The discussion covered:

• the role of the third sector in Wales
• assumptions around digital capability in young people
• how to engage with the wider public sector in Wales
• the use of frameworks and standards to support professional competencies