Government Digital and Data: Attracting tech talent to Civil Service

Through digital innovation and AI, top tech talent is to drive the creation of essential and accessible public services for everyone in the UK thanks to the new brand: Government Digital and Data

In an effort to improve public services, Government Digital and Data, a new digital brand, has launched. The brand with bring together the growing number of digital and tech specialists working within the UK Government.

‘Transforming lives through technology’

According to UKGov, new figures revealed show that the proportion of digital, data and tech specialists has nearly doubled in the last five years, growing from 2.8% in 2018 to 5% this year.

These digital skills boosts within the Civil Service underline how the UK Government is becoming one of the largest employers of digital and data professionals in the UK, rivalling big tech companies in the competition for talent.

Government Digital and Data

The new Government Digital and Data brand unites the community of staff working in specialist roles, such as data analysts, software developers and infrastructure engineers, and provides a clearer career path for talent looking to come into the Civil Service.

“Embracing technology isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about crafting a government that’s agile and ready to support the needs of tomorrow and the digital talent community is essential to that”, explained Alex Burghart, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office.

28,000 professionals within the digital and data workforce

New figures from the latest cross-government workforce insights show that the digital and data workforce grew by 9% between October 2022 and April 2023 to a total of more than 28,000 professionals.

This growth represents a shift towards a digitally transformed, more efficient government, and reinforces the government’s commitment to attracting the best UK digital talent.

To acknowledge this growing workforce, the Government Digital and Data initiative has been launched as the pioneering community leading digital transformation in government.

Recent insights indicate that 79% of the total digital and data professionals in government, as well as 66% of senior civil servants in digital roles, are located outside of London.

Notably, software developers constitute the most sought-after specialists in the profession, filling 13% of all roles within the Government Digital and Data sector.

Government Digital and Data: A significant and exciting employer in the UK

Mike Potter, the Chief Digital Officer for Government, emphasizes that these figures position Government Digital and Data as a significant and exciting employer in the UK, comparable to tech giants.

Potter highlights the unique selling point for prospective talent, underscoring that the work is fundamentally about transforming lives for the better. At the forefront of digital innovation, the focus on AI roles is shaping the future workforce, with a commitment to cutting-edge technology and data revolutionizing government for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The newly introduced umbrella brand aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing across all government departments and the broader public sector.

Positioned as an employer rivaling major tech companies in the UK, Government Digital and Data seeks to attract talent from diverse sectors.

Transforming lives through technology

The strapline, ‘transforming lives through technology,’ emphasizes the distinctive nature of public sector work, directly impacting people on a national scale.

This announcement coincides with the opening of the government’s Digital Secondments Programme for applications in September.

The program calls upon the UK’s top technical minds from various industries to contribute to addressing the country’s significant challenges, including cybersecurity and emerging technologies.