Civil servants gain access to free digital learning

Civil servants are now able to get easy access to more free digital learning, as part of a drive to boost productivity and agility.

The curriculum of recommended learning from Government Skills now has an expanded range of digital, data and innovation learning that has been specifically curated for civil servants, with more tools and learning to be added over time.

The prime minister pledged last month to give all civil servants better opportunities to develop skills in priority areas such as digital.

The expanded curriculum includes a Microsoft 365 Public Sector Training and Resources Hub which provides resources to help civil servants upskill quickly, in a way that meets the needs of their job role or job tasks.

There are also 12 ‘Pocket Watch’ videos shared by the Department of Work and Pensions outlining how to perform some computing tasks for civil servants using PCs with Windows 10 or 11.

The curriculum already included a wide range of free AI courses, including AI Fundamentals; a masterclasses on data and innovation, developed as part of One Big Thing; and the Digital Excellence Programme for senior leaders.

Martin Petto, deputy director at Government Skills said: "It’s the first time we’ve been able to give civil servants such easy access to digital skills learning.

“If staff need help with anything, from understanding AI to simple tips to boost their productivity, such as how to set up an Excel document, this is where they’ll be able to go for help.

“It also signposts civil servants to more specialist digital and data learning, such as the pathways - some of which may be chargeable.”