The Department for Education (DfE) has spent more than £170,000 over the past three years to upskill staff in data, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technologies, as part of the UK government’s broader push to build a digitally confident civil service.
The figures, obtained under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and analysed by the Parliament Street think tank, show a sharp rise in DfE’s investment in advanced digital training — from basic data analysis and visualisation courses to specialist AI, cybersecurity, and cloud skills.
The move comes as 70% of government departments are either piloting or planning to implement AI tools, underscoring the growing importance of structured, secure, and high-quality data in public sector operations.
In the 2022/23 financial year, more than 1,450 DfE staff completed training in areas including statistics, business analysis, digital design, and data visualisation, with an investment of £44,500.
By 2024/25, over 350 staff had progressed to more advanced training covering AI, data science, cybersecurity, and the Microsoft Power Platform — signalling a strategic shift towards specialist, future-focused digital capabilities.
This progression, experts say, reflects the DfE’s growing recognition that data and AI skills are no longer optional — they are essential to policy development, service delivery, and governance.
Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, said the government’s investment represents “a critical move” as high-quality, well-governed data becomes the backbone of effective policymaking and citizen services.
“The ability to manage, cleanse and interpret data accurately is no longer a back-office function — it’s central to operational efficiency and public trust,” Harvey said.
“Training in AI and data science enables staff to automate manual processes, detect patterns, and generate actionable insights at speed and scale.”
He added that forward-looking programmes in AI, cloud platforms, and advanced analytics would allow the public sector to deliver “smarter, safer and more responsive services” built on robust data management.
Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer at FDM Group, welcomed the DfE’s investment but said ongoing upskilling must remain a top priority if government services are to remain secure, resilient and trusted.
Sawan Joshi, Group Director of Information Security at FDM Group, Flavell said: “These figures highlight a growing recognition across government of the importance of advanced digital skills. The shift towards specialist training in cybersecurity, AI, and cloud engineering is a positive step, but continual upskilling must remain a priority.”
FDM’s own research shows 54% of organisations now expect AI literacy in all graduate roles, yet only 6% believe their teams are currently equipped to apply AI effectively.
“The future of AI success lies in human oversight,” Joshi added. “AI doesn’t replace people — it amplifies those equipped to use it wisely. Government and industry must work hand in hand to build a truly digitally confident workforce.”
AI adoption accelerating across Whitehall
The DfE’s expanded training push aligns with a wider cross-government effort to embed AI and data analytics in public services. Departments are using machine learning and predictive analytics to improve policy outcomes, reduce fraud, and streamline administration, while investing in ethical frameworks and human oversight to mitigate risk.
The Cabinet Office has also launched new data literacy standards and AI adoption guidance, while the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) continues to lead cross-departmental efforts to modernise digital infrastructure and recruitment.
As AI systems become more pervasive across Whitehall, experts warn that data quality and governance will determine whether the UK’s digital transformation succeeds.
For departments like the DfE, the goal is no longer simply to digitise — but to build institutional intelligence, where data-driven decisions enhance both efficiency and accountability.
“High-quality data is the fuel of government innovation,” Harvey said. “Without the right skills, even the best AI tools can fail. But with the right foundations, the public sector can set the global standard for responsible, human-centred use of technology.”
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Department for Education ramps up AI and data training as part of UK government digital skills drive
