Data Skills Gateway Pathways & Progression Video

The partnership between Data Education in Colleges and the third sector is embedding clear progression pathways for learners.

In this video, Access to Industry shares how this collaboration has enabled them to offer new SQA accredited data skills courses, creating opportunities that previously didn’t exist for their learners.

We also hear from students themselves, as they reflect on their journeys into further and higher education and employment, demonstrating the transformative impact of these pathways in helping them reach their full potential.

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2024/25

Follow the IRES Programme on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eses-ires

Data Skills Credit Case Study Video

Part of the City Region Deal’s Data Skills Gateway strand, the Data Skills Credit scheme is delivered by The DataLab and has surpassed 1000 participants. It is focused on improving the data and digital skills of people in the region. DataKirk applied to The DataLab for the Data Skills Credits, allowing them to deliver courses for disadvantaged communities.

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2023/24

Retrofit Curriculum Development - Case Study Video

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region's Integrated Employer Engagement project has established a curriculum offering which addresses localised Retrofit skills training needs.

Working with The Verdancy Group, an SCQF Level 5 rated Understanding Domestic Retrofit qualification was created and launched in early 2024. Over 100 delegates across the region have taken part in the award including college lecturers, advanced level college students, local authority employees and employers across the region.

Watch this short video to find out more:

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2023/24

Bus Driver Recruitment Campaign - Case Study Video

The Workforce Mobility Project, Integrated Employer Engagement team, bus operators and regional employability partners delivered a series of bus driver recruitment roadshows across the city region through May and June 2024.

Launched by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, the roadshows were a great example of collaborative working across the region to help operators overcome a shortage of bus drivers, while creating new connections with employability partners. It has also showcased the importance of bus drivers to support our communities and economy, while highlighting the fantastic career opportunities that are available with operators across our region.

Watch the short video featuring the Minister, operators, drivers and SEStran (South East of Scotland Transport Partnership) to find out more:

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2023/24

Gateway to Success

The Data-Driven Innovation Skills Gateway was a finalist at this year’s Digital Leaders 100 awards.

The Skills Gateway made it into the final three for Digital Skills Initiative of the Year, out of hundreds of entries from across the UK. With over 700 nominations, judges recognised the Skills Gateway‘s innovative and cross-sector approach to improving data skills as a key component of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal’s skills and employability programme.

The growth of Scotland’s technology ecosystem and changing world of work has led to a rapid increase in demand for workers with appropriate data skills. The Scottish Futures Institute estimates that 175,000 new digital jobs alone will have been generated in Scotland by 2030, with 37,000 of those based in Edinburgh. Yet, around 60% of digital organisations in Southeast Scotland say limited supply of talent is their biggest challenge.

Alison Muckersie, Programme Lead for the DDI Skills Gateway, commented: “The DDI Skills Gateway set out to be innovative and inclusive, but we have also learnt the importance of being responsive. We are all about ensuring that our citizens are well equipped to recognise and understand the opportunity provided by the data revolution – regardless of their gender, background or location – and that they are given options and support to develop the wide-ranging data literacy skills which we will all need.”

The Skills Gateway is tackling digital skills shortages by growing the data skills of the region’s citizens, and helps to deliver targeted activities in local schools, colleges, universities and across employability and work settings. The team has already developed the first school-based data science qualification in Britain, is offering a wider range of data training at all levels and can provide individuals and organisations with grants to be used for upskilling activities.