_This article is written by Sebastian Moore, Assistant Private Secretary to the Group Chief Digital & Information Officer at Integrated Corporate Services, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology. _

  • The problem: Many civil servants needed more digital proficiency to navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively.
  • **Why it matters: **Enhancing digital skills is crucial for optimising workflows, improving service offerings and aligning with the future vision of the Civil Service.
  • The solution: Regular, inclusive upskilling sessions provided essential knowledge and tools, ensuring all staff could leverage digital advancements and contribute to a digitally proficient and inclusive Civil Service.

Integrated Corporate Services (ICS) was established in 2023 to provide shared corporate services for Digital, Security and Estates, as well as elements of HR, Commercial and Finance to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and a subset of services to the Department for Business Trade (DBT), plus several partner organisations. This innovative reform in the delivery of corporate services within the UK Government aims to build the foundations for future sharing of corporate functions across multiple departments.

In 2024, our mission in Integrated Corporate Services (ICS Digital) was to enhance the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) proficiency of Civil Service staff across all professions. The goal was to provide regular educational sessions on the current and future use of digital tools. This initiative matters because digital proficiency is crucial for optimising workflows, improving service offerings and preparing our workforce for the digital future of the Civil Service.

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We launched a series of cross-departmental Digital Upskilling sessions, empowering our workforce with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape effectively and efficiently. These sessions catered to all levels of digital literacy, from beginners to experts.

These are the sessions we scheduled:

  • Copilot for Browser — How Generative AI Can Enhance Your Work 🤖
    • February Session: Introduced Microsoft Copilot's capabilities, showing 2000 participants how to leverage AI to optimise tasks and access tools securely. Follow-up resources included over 56 hours of free online self-paced learning and the Generative AI Framework for HM Government.
    • Outcome: Set the stage for digital transformation, providing practical tools and insights.
  • Microsoft Power Automate — Automating Processes 💪
    • April Session: Showcased how to automate tasks, streamline workflows and utilise Power Apps. Attended by 800 participants, the session featured real-life use cases from the xGov Low Code Group and across the Civil Service.
    • Outcome: Demonstrated significant time and cost savings through practical applications of automation.
  • Digital Inclusion — Ensuring Accessibility for All 🌈
    • June Session: Focused on overcoming digital barriers and biases, attended by 550 participants. The session highlighted the importance of accessibility, with tools and strategies to make services more user-friendly.
    • Outcome: Fostered interdepartmental collaboration and emphasised the value of inclusive design and digital etiquette.

Looking ahead, we have several upcoming sessions planned to further enhance our digital journey:

  • PowerBI/Data Analytics — Harnessing Data for Decision-Making 📊
    • September Session: Will introduce participants to PowerBI and advanced data analytics techniques, empowering them to make data-driven decisions and visualise data effectively for better insights.
  • Cyber Security — Ensuring Resilience 🔒
    • Late 2024 Session: Will educate attendees on identifying and mitigating cyber threats, covering best practices for online security and privacy.
  • UK Gov Digital & Data Roadmap — Shaping the Future 🚀
    • Late 2024 Session: Will provide insights into the UK Government's Digital & Data Roadmap, aligning individual work with the broader digital transformation goals of the Civil Service.
  • Digital Sustainability — Minimising Environmental Impact 🌳
    • December Session: Will focus on responsible and sustainable use of digital technologies, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy for digital tools.

Our commitment to embracing modern workplace practices is clearly demonstrated through our hybrid seminars and online self-paced learning initiatives. To ensure inclusivity, we have meticulously designed each session to be accessible to all staff members. This effort, undertaken in collaboration with xGov Working Groups and industry-leading stakeholders like Microsoft, has made the learning process both engaging and highly relevant by leveraging expertise from subject matter experts and workforce champions.

This year's upskilling sessions have had a profound and measurable impact on our core users, significantly enhancing their confidence and competence in using digital tools. Participants have reported notable improvements in daily efficiency, increased cross-departmental collaboration and a stronger sense of inclusivity as they navigate an ever-evolving, modern workplace. Additionally, the availability and release of Learning and Development (L&D) materials focused on Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) have provided staff with critical resources to further their expertise. The interactive sessions, complemented by supplementary online self-paced learning, have fostered a culture of continuous learning and innovation, empowering staff to proactively embrace new technologies and deliver better service to the public. These initiatives have not only enhanced individual skill sets but have also bolstered our collective capability to meet the evolving digital demands of the future.

This preparation is timely, as we anticipate significant changes to our workforce and working practices. These include the forthcoming release of updated guidance from the Cabinet Office (CO), the potential large-scale rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot and the increasing adoption of Large Language Models (LLMs) across various professions. Furthermore, the UK government is advancing several key initiatives, such as the National Cyber Strategy, which aims to strengthen cybersecurity across critical infrastructure and government operations; the Public Sector AI Strategy, designed to integrate AI into public services to enhance efficiency and accessibility; and ongoing efforts in AI regulation and governance, ensuring the ethical and responsible use of AI within the public sector.

A substantial change to our core user base is the expansion of our department following the recently announced Ministry of Government reorganisation. This expansion will see the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) grow in both scope and size, incorporating experts in data, digital and AI from the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and the Incubator for AI (i.AI). This consolidation will unify efforts to drive the digital transformation of public services under one department. Our staff are now better equipped to adapt to these tools, ensuring a seamless transition and maximising the benefits of these forthcoming changes and innovations.

The success of our 2024 Digital Upskilling sessions underscores the critical importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the digital age. We are proud of the progress achieved and look forward to further empowering our growing workforce — nearly 20,000 core users across three central UK Government departments and several partner organisations — as we work together to foster a digitally proficient and inclusive Civil Service.

Stay tuned for more initiatives as we continue to shape our digital future.

If you are a UK Civil Servant and are interested in future sessions, you can sign up here:

https://forms.office.com/e/XxKdSVYS2B

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