The Council has partnered with tech company, Multiverse, to accelerate its data capabilities through the UK Apprenticeship Levy.
Essex County Council (ECC) has launched training for 40 of its staff through a new Data Academy, as part of its ambitious plans to become a data-led organisation.
The goal is to strengthen the organisation’s data capabilities, while boosting productivity and data literacy across teams.
Teaching is being delivered by Multiverse, a tech company delivering high-quality training through applied learning. Multiverse has trained more than 16,000 apprentices in data and digital skills since 2016. According to Multiverse’s Skills Intelligence Report, local government and councils are notably impacted by a lack of data skills, with 26% of employees’ time working with data spent unproductively.
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Programmes include ‘Data Insights for Business Decisions’, which equips commissioners working within ECC with the technical skills and knowledge to navigate the data landscape confidently.
The 13-month ‘Data Fellowship’, a Level 4 apprenticeship, will upskill data professionals, while the degree-level ‘Advanced Data Fellowship’ will give graduates the tools to build data analytics capabilities within the organisation and use data to support decision-making.
Staff enrolled in the Academy also have the opportunity to complete a 13-month ‘Business Transformation Fellowship’, which covers key competencies that are most relevant to doing business in the digital age, including defining business objectives, exploring opportunities for digital innovation and adopting agile ways of working.
The Data Academy is funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, a UK tax on employers that is used to fund apprenticeship training.
Nicola Mallett, Head of Profession Analytics and Data Science at Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council provides a diverse learning programme designed to help our colleagues confidently engage with data, fostering evidence-based decision-making at every level. By participating in the Data Academy through the Apprenticeship Levy, we are further investing in our workforce, ensuring they understand the purpose and potential of data. This initiative encourages responsible data use, strengthens robust data processes, and promotes collaboration with our partners. Ultimately, it enables us to leverage data insights to enhance social good and improve outcomes for communities across Essex.”
Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse said: “Essex County Council will be on the front foot in data-led decision making and process modernisation thanks to the skills they will gain on these apprenticeships. All the while, by developing the skills of its people the Council will enhance their careers and access to the best opportunities.”
Multiverse works with more than 1,500 organisations to close critical skill gaps in the workforce in AI, data and tech, combining work and learning to unlock economic opportunity for everyone.
