WE WANT THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECH TALENT TO BE ABLE TO LEARN THEIR TRADE HELPING GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SERVICES BETTER FOR THE PUBLIC .
INDUSTRY WATCH
WE WANT THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECH TALENT TO BE ABLE TO LEARN THEIR TRADE HELPING GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SERVICES BETTER FOR THE PUBLIC .
This new initiative announced by the Government is being kickstarted by the new digital apprenticeship programme , which will support the recruitment of 500 early career entrants into digital roles this financial year across government .
This novel programme will provide the opportunity for both civil servants and new entrants to be recruited into the most in-demand data and technology roles , such as Cyber Security Technologists and Software Developers .
The remaining 2,000 opportunities will include 1,300 additional digital apprenticeship programme roles and 700 roles created through an expansion of existing departmental digital programmes , such as the Software Developer Programme .
Meanwhile , some of the UK ’ s best technical minds from industry are being called to work on the country ’ s biggest challenges , such as cybersecurity and new emerging technology , with the launch of a new Digital Secondments Programme scheme which is now open for applications .
Both of these major digital skills announcements build on the vision of Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin to modernise and reform the civil service , set out in a speech to Policy Exchange in July this year .
Alex Burghart , Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office , said : “ We want the next generation of tech talent to be able to learn their trade helping government to make services better for the public . These apprenticeships are going to build great new digital careers and capabilities both in Whitehall and across the country .”
The Civil Service Digital , Data and Technology profession has grown by 19 % between April 2022 and
April 2023 and over 600 senior civil servants have been upskilled on digital and data essentials .
Both the digital secondments programme and new apprenticeship recruitment drive will also support a new target for 6 % of the overall Civil Service workforce to be members of the digital , data and technology profession .
Minister for the Cabinet Office , Jeremy Quin , commented : “[ This ] announcement drives forward our plans for a modern Civil Service equipped with the skills and capabilities needed to harness the power of digital , data and technology .
“ By attracting and retaining the best talent , we will keep pace with technological change and deliver more efficient services for the British public .”
These announcements arrive as the Central Digital and Data Office ( CDDO ) published an update to the 2022 – 25 roadmap for digital and data .
The updated roadmap announces the publication of a new framework for the government ’ s use of Generative AI , to ensure departments can confidently and responsibly use this technology to improve services . This comes as the UK is set to host the first AI Summit in November . It also introduces a requirement for departments using out-of-date IT systems to boost plans for modernising technology , in a bid to save government time and money .
“ The new roadmap commitments published strengthen the government ’ s ability to harness the very best technology and data available to improve people ’ s lives and livelihoods in the UK ,” said Megan Lee Devlin , Chief Executive of the Central Digital and Data Office .
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE 75