Data Lab launches Academy to boost industry skills

Data and tech businesses in Scotland are set to benefit from an expansion of the Data Lab programme, the innovation centre which helps industry capitalise on the growing use of data science and artificial intelligence.

The plans include an overhaul of the content and reach of its MSc programmes to include more specific employability skills training for students.

The launch of The Data Lab Academy follows recent analysis by The UK’s Digital Economy Council, which revealed more than one-tenth (13.2%) of all job vacancies in Scotland are now in the tech sector, with demand for data analysts rising by more than 500% since 2019.

According to the centre, the content being offered “will help create a larger industry-ready national tech workforce” emerging from Scottish universities.

Data Lab head of skills Heather Thomson explained: “The Scottish tech sector desperately needs a stronger, steadier pipeline of talented new data scientists, analysts and engineers, to continue flourishing – and the best way to achieve that is by ensuring a larger industry-ready, national tech workforce is being produced from within our own universities.

“The new Data Lab Academy will help create that pipeline. In addition to having the best technical skills, it will ensure graduates are equipped to meet the demands of industry from day one, as they transition from academia into the workplace.”

Since its launch in 2015, more than 800 students have completed The Data Lab’s MSc programme, equipping them with the skills demanded by business and industry.

During this time, students have been able to secure an 8 to 12 week, paid work placement at the end of their studies aimed at sharpening their commercial skills and offering employers the ability to recruit additional support for projects.

The Data Lab Academy aims to streamline the hiring and introduction process for both sides and provide employers with direct access to a wider pool of data talent.

It will also feature an enhanced programme of employability and skills training in addition to networking opportunities and community building for students.

This, it is hoped, will enable employers to become partners of the programme in a variety of ways, including event sponsorship and funding places for students to participate in the Academy.

Students of the Academy will also benefit from access to Data Talent, Scotland’s largest data and AI recruitment event and other significant milestones during the programme.

Thomson added: “This programme will strengthen their employability by giving them the chance to work on real-world projects, for instance, as well as providing our Academy partners with the opportunity to engage directly with a strong emerging talent pool, to fill gaps in their own organisation – both on a short- and long-term basis.

“The traditional routes to employment have simply not been enough to satisfy industry demand – Scottish academia and industry need to come together to develop new and innovative ideas and pathways to create and develop the best tech talent.”