Fit for the Future: Leading a Modern Statistical Service

Delivered over 6 days (October 2022 to January 2023), the programme will focus on:

Day 1            Leadership and innovation
Day 2            Data collection and acquisition
Day 3            Processing and analysis
Day 4            Putting your users at the centre
Day 5            Innovation and delivering change
Day 6            You have the power - leading at every level

The first scheduled session (Day 1) will take place on 26 October 2022 in Atlantic Quay 5, Glasgow.

Subsequent dates and venue details are below:

• Day 2 (9 November 2022 Atlantic Quay 5)
• Day 3 (23 November 2022 St Andrews House)
• Day 4 (29 November 2022 Victoria Quay)
• Day 5 (17 January 2023 TBC)
• Day 6 (18 January 2023 TBC)

Please note that all sessions are in person only. We'll issue guidance and joining instructions nearer the time.

The programme will embed agile principles as well as approaches to coaching and mentoring.  

The pilot programme will be aimed at C1 grade staff working in core Scottish Government, however we will also accept applications from B3 grades where there is leadership responsibility.  Future cohorts will be open to equivalent grades in other organisations that produce Official Statistics (i.e. band7/8a in NHS and PHS),  There are no other eligibility requirements, but those who wish to join the pilot cohort will be asked to complete an expression of interest by registering an application. We expect each person attending the course to demonstrate a commitment to completing the programme and carrying out the activities between sessions. 

The programme aims to enable statisticians to demonstrate their awareness and understanding of:

- the vision for statistical services in Scottish Government
- why there is a need for change
- the importance of leadership
- the power and potential of innovation
- the benefits of open source
- how reproducibility leads to better analysis
- why users need to be at the centre

To apply, complete the registration form. A member of our team will respond to you as soon as possible. Should all available spaces be taken, we will add your details to a waiting list.

All eligible staff will have an opportunity to do the programme in due course.  Decisions on who is invited to each cohort will be made with the aim to have a spread across different teams. 

If you are selected for the pilot, you are agreeing to provide feedback on the programme with the aim of improving it for future waves.

The programme has been designed and will be delivered in partnership between the Scottish Digital Academy and the Office of the Chief Statistician. For more information or support in registering your interest, email digitalacademy@gov.scot. 

Joining instructions will be issued directly, once the application window closes at the end of September. At this point, we will also issue a programme overview with dates, times and venues.