AI is evolving. Digital tools are changing. Data is everywhere. Is your public sector team ready to keep up?

Digital transformation is moving quickly, and public sector organisations are under increasing pressure to make the most of technology while delivering better services with limited resources.

The opportunity is significant. The UK public sector spends more than £26 billion a year on digital technology and has almost 100,000 digital and data professionals working across the sector. Yet the Government's State of Digital Government Review found that only around half of UK public services currently have a digital channel.

Technology is clearly a huge part of the picture.

But technology alone isn't enough.

People need the skills to use it.

That's where digital training comes in.

At ModernGov, we provide digital skills training for public sector teams, helping organisations develop the digital, data and future skills they need to work confidently today and adapt to what's coming next.

Explore ModernGov's Digital, Data & Future Skills training

What is digital skills training?

Digital skills training helps employees develop the knowledge and confidence to use digital technology effectively in their roles.

It can cover everything from digital tools and data literacy to artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, agile working and emerging technologies.

And it's no longer something that sits solely with IT teams.

A policy professional might use AI to support research. A manager might lead their team through a digital transformation programme. A communications professional might turn complex data into a clear story. A project team might use agile approaches to develop a new service.

The numbers behind the need for digital skills

The demand for digital capability isn't going away.

• 95% of UK adults used the internet in the previous three months in 2025/26.
• 56% had improved their digital or online skills in the previous 12 months, demonstrating the continuing demand for digital upskilling.
• 78% of adults had accessed at least one government digital service during the previous 12 months.
• The proportion of civil servants working in digital, data and technology roles reached 5.2% in March 2025, up from 3.6% in March 2021. The Government has set a target of 10% by 2030.

Why is digital training important for the public sector?

Public sector organisations are already using technology to transform services and improve productivity.

A 2025 Government trial involving more than 20,000 civil servants found that generative AI could save the equivalent of nearly two working weeks per person, per year on tasks such as drafting documents and summarising meetings.

That's a significant opportunity.

But getting the benefits from AI, automation or any other technology requires more than simply giving employees access to a tool.

People need to understand:

• What the technology can do
• How it can be applied to their role
• Where it can genuinely add value
• What the risks are
• When human judgement is needed
• How to use technology responsibly.
  

What digital skills does the public sector need?

There isn't one universal list of digital skills that every public sector employee needs.

A finance team, policy team, IT team and senior leadership team will all have different requirements.

However, some of the key areas organisations are increasingly exploring include:

1. Artificial intelligence and AI literacy

AI is perhaps the most obvious example of how quickly the digital landscape is changing.

Government research published in 2026 found that 73% of UK adults had used AI at least once in the previous month, while 35% had used generative AI.

For public sector organisations, this creates huge opportunities but also important questions around responsible use, data, security, ethics and accountability.

AI training can help employees understand where AI can support their work, how to use it effectively and where appropriate safeguards are needed.

2. Data skills and data literacy

Good decisions depend on good information.

Data skills training can help employees understand data, interpret information, identify useful insights and communicate findings effectively.

Not everyone needs to become a data analyst.

But everyone who works with data needs to be able to understand it.

3. Digital transformation

Digital transformation isn't simply about introducing a new piece of technology.

It involves changing processes, services and ways of working, while bringing people with you.

Digital transformation training can help managers, leaders and project teams understand how technology, people and organisational change fit together.

4. Automation and productivity

Many teams are already looking for ways to reduce repetitive work and make better use of their time.

Training can help employees identify where automation and digital tools could improve processes and productivity, while considering where human oversight remains important.

5. Agile working

Agile approaches can support more collaborative, flexible and iterative ways of working.

For public sector teams delivering projects, services or transformation programmes, developing an understanding of agile principles can provide practical tools for managing changing priorities and complex challenges.

6. Emerging and future technologies

The technology landscape doesn't stand still.

Today's emerging technology can quickly become tomorrow's standard tool.

That's why future skills training should not simply focus on predicting the next big thing. It should help people develop the confidence and adaptability to keep learning as technology evolves.

Why public sector context matters

You can find plenty of generic digital training online.

But public sector organisations don't operate in a generic environment.

Teams have to consider governance, accountability, accessibility, data protection, public trust, security, legislation, political considerations and the needs of diverse communities.

The Government's State of Digital Government Review highlighted the scale and complexity of the challenge facing public services, including the fact that technology programmes are significantly more likely to be assessed as being at risk than non-technology programmes.

That's why context matters when you're developing digital capability.

At ModernGov, our trainers are experts in their fields and understand the environment public sector teams operate in.

They don't simply explain what a technology does.

They explore:

Where could it actually help your team?

What could it mean for your organisation?

What should you consider before using it?

How can your team put the learning into practice?

Meet ModernGov's expert trainers

Keeping up with what's next

One of the biggest challenges with digital training is that the goalposts keep moving.

AI is a great example.

The conversation has moved rapidly from:

“What is AI?”

to:

“How can we use AI effectively?”

And now increasingly towards:

“How do we use AI responsibly, securely and strategically?”

ModernGov keeps a close eye on emerging technologies, changes in the public sector and the skills organisations are likely to need.

That means our training can evolve alongside the landscape.

We're not interested in training people on yesterday's technology simply because it's what has always been on the course.

We want your teams to be ready for what's happening now and what's coming next.

Digital training that works around your team

One organisation might need to introduce AI to a workforce that has very little experience with it.

Another might already have employees using AI but need to develop their understanding of responsible use and governance.

Another might be trying to improve data literacy across a particular department.

They all need digital training.

But they don't need the same digital training.

That's why ModernGov specialises in tailored and bespoke training for public sector teams.

We start by understanding your organisation, your people and what you're trying to achieve.

From there, training can be adapted around:

• Your team's existing knowledge
• Your organisational priorities
• Specific skills gaps
• Your sector and working environment
• Relevant technologies
• Current projects and challenges
• Different levels of experience.

And if a ready-made programme isn't quite right?

We can build something from scratch.

Find out more about ModernGov's bespoke training

What makes effective digital training?

The best digital training doesn't try to turn everyone into a technology expert.

Instead, it gives people the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to use technology effectively in their own roles.

That might mean:

• Working with real-world data
• Exploring practical AI applications
• Looking at a digital transformation challenge
• Identifying opportunities for automation
• Understanding how to communicate data
• Practising new digital tools
• Exploring the risks and opportunities of emerging technology.

The aim is simple:

Don't just understand the technology. Know what to do with it.

Preparing your public sector workforce for future skills

Some of the skills we call “future skills” are already here.

AI, automation, data-driven decision-making and digital transformation are already influencing the way public sector organisations operate.

So preparing for the future doesn't mean trying to predict exactly what technology will look like in five or ten years.

It means building a workforce that is:

• Curious about new technology
• Confident using digital tools
• Comfortable working with data
• Able to adapt to change
• Willing to learn new skills
• Thoughtful about the opportunities and risks of emerging technology.

The most future-ready workforce isn't necessarily the one that knows every new technology.

It's the one that is confident enough to learn the next one.

How can ModernGov help with digital training?

ModernGov provides Digital, Data & Future Skills training specifically for public sector teams.

Our expert trainers bring specialist knowledge in areas including AI, data, digital transformation, agile working, data visualisation and emerging technologies, alongside an understanding of the public sector environment.

Training can be tailored around your organisation's priorities, whether you're looking to:

• Build digital confidence
• Improve data literacy
• Introduce AI
• Develop AI skills
• Support digital transformation
• Improve productivity
• Develop agile capabilities
• Understand emerging technologies
• Build longer-term future skills.

Explore ModernGov's Digital, Data & Future Skills training

Or, if you know your organisation needs something more specific:

Talk to ModernGov about bespoke public sector training

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Training

What is digital training?

Digital training helps employees develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use digital technology effectively. It can include digital tools, data, artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, agile working and emerging technologies.

What is digital skills training?

Digital skills training develops employees' ability to use technology confidently and effectively in their roles. For public sector teams, this can include digital confidence, data literacy, AI, automation, digital transformation and future skills.

Why is digital skills training important for the public sector?

Digital skills training can help public sector organisations make better use of technology, improve productivity, support digital transformation and prepare employees for changing ways of working.

What digital skills does the public sector need?

Key digital skills for public sector teams can include artificial intelligence, data literacy, data analytics, digital transformation, agile working, automation, digital service design, cyber awareness and emerging technologies. The right skills will depend on the organisation and individual roles.

What is digital transformation training?

Digital transformation training helps employees understand how technology, people and processes can work together to improve services and ways of working. It can cover digital strategy, agile delivery, AI, data, automation, service design and leading digital change.

Is digital training only for IT teams?

No. Digital skills are increasingly relevant across the public sector workforce. Policy, communications, HR, finance, project management and leadership teams can all benefit from digital training tailored to their roles.

Can digital training be tailored to our organisation?

Yes. ModernGov provides tailored and bespoke public sector training. Programmes can be adapted around your organisation's objectives, existing skills, technology, challenges and workforce.

Who provides digital training for public sector organisations?

ModernGov provides expert-led Digital, Data & Future Skills training specifically for public sector organisations. Training can cover AI, data, digital transformation, agile working, automation and emerging technologies.

How can public sector organisations prepare for future digital skills?

Organisations can prepare employees by identifying current skills gaps, monitoring emerging technologies, investing in relevant training and developing a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

What does ModernGov's digital training cover?

ModernGov's Digital, Data & Future Skills training can cover artificial intelligence, data analytics, data visualisation, digital transformation, agile working, automation, emerging technologies and other future-focused digital skills.

View ModernGov's Digital, Data & Future Skills training