New digital academy launches to transform digital and data skills
A new, fully funded initiative to accelerate digital and data skill development across local authorities has been launched today.
The ADEPT Digital Academy is a bespoke learning programme that is fully funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, combining hands-on, role-relevant training with expert coaching and community learning.
The programme has been launched by Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT), working in partnership with Colas and delivered by a sector leading partner Multiverse.
It has been specifically designed to meet the needs of place directors’ teams in local authorities and will respond directly to the challenges and opportunities in place leadership, from climate action and infrastructure to inclusive growth and digital delivery. The initiative supports the government's digital transformation agenda, which commits to one in ten civil servants working in digital roles by 2030, as announced in Spending Review 2025.
Fully funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, the programme will initially run as a year-long pilot, starting in the autumn. Expressions of interest are open for local authorities looking to develop their workforce’s digital and data skills. Introductory webinars on 23rd June and 10th July will outline what this unique programme offers.
The launch of the ADEPT Digital Academy follows the new Carbon Leadership Programme announced at the beginning of June. These programmes add to an existing suite of training, development and place leadership opportunities provided by ADEPT and their partners.
Angela Jones, President of ADEPT, said: “ADEPT has developed this new, unique programme that will provide place directors’ teams with the capabilities to lead change, use data more effectively and deliver better outcomes for people and places.
“The programme reflects the government's commitment to building digital capability across the public sector, as outlined in the recent Spending Review.
“The ADEPT Digital Academy will play a crucial role in ensuring local authorities have the skilled workforce needed to deliver on the digital transformation agenda. I would like to encourage local authorities to consider how this fully funded opportunity could strengthen their teams' capabilities and better serve their communities in our increasingly digital world.”
Claire Davenport, Chief Operating Officer at Multiverse said: "There's a huge opportunity in the public sector to embrace digital technologies to improve services and increase efficiency. Our work with more than 50 local authorities has proven that there is substantial ambition and appetite among council workers for digital, data and AI upskilling.
“We're looking forward to working with ADEPT to translate the benefits of new technologies into impact across critical Place services, from local highways to recycling."
David Ogden, Executive Director at Colas said: “Having worked with Multiverse at Colas, we know from experience the huge benefits this programme will bring to develop the data and digital skills of the people and teams who are delivering for their local communities on a daily basis and are delighted to be supporting this new programme from ADEPT.”
The ADEPT Digital Academy has been developed in partnership with Colas and will be delivered by Multiverse, a leading provider of applied AI, digital and data skills.
More information can be found on the ADEPT website here: www.adeptnet.org.uk/digital-academy
