Northumberland County Council is investing in its workforce following the launch of a Data Academy.
The Data Academy will give council employees the opportunity to enhance their data and analytical skills through an apprenticeship.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member with responsibility for ICT and Performance, said: “It is important that as an organisation we invest in our workforce, and as demand for our services increases, it’s essential that they are given the opportunities to upskill.
“Making the best use of data will not only empower our staff to work efficiently and effectively, it will also inform our decision making and ensure that we are using our resources effectively so that we can deliver the best outcomes for our residents.
“The Data Academy will enable the right skills to be put in place at every level of the council, enhancing our ability to give residents a more modern and fit-for-purpose service, in a cost-effective way.”
Launched in November, the first cohort of more than 50 have already enrolled on professional apprenticeships delivered by tech start-up Multiverse.
The 13-month apprenticeship covers the core technical skills required to transform data into insights, as well as softer skills like building narratives and presenting findings.
The investment comes via the government-funded Apprenticeship Levy.
New data skills will enable the local authority to deliver high quality, timely services to residents and reduce resource wastage.
The training will be delivered by Multiverse, a tech company focused on high-quality education and training through a unique professional apprenticeship model. Multiverse delivers apprenticeships in areas such as software engineering and data analytics.
Peppa Wise, VP GTM at Multiverse, said: “Working efficiently with data is absolutely vital for all organisations - and for local authorities it's essential for delivering high quality services to residents while leveraging public resources in the most responsible way. Northumberland County Council is expanding its skills in this space through its Data Academy. Apprentices benefit from Multiverse’s personalised coaching and applied learning, to develop rich skills in the most high-demand areas that will serve them throughout their career."
