Government Partners with Google Cloud to Upskill Civil Servants
The UK government has launched a partnership with Google Cloud to train 100,000 civil servants in digital and AI skills by 2030. This initiative is part of the Plan for Change, aiming to modernise public sector technology and reduce reliance on outdated legacy systems. The new training programme supports the goal of having one in ten civil servants working in technology roles within the next decade.
This collaboration will help government departments—from the NHS to HMRC—improve service delivery and security. By moving away from decades-old contracts and legacy infrastructure, the government expects to achieve around £45 billion in efficiency savings through technology adoption.
Training Civil Servants for the Future
Civil servants will undergo a Google Cloud training programme focused on digital and AI capabilities. This approach aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of embedding technology skills across the civil service workforce, making it more agile and responsive.
Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group, highlighted that AI works best when combined with human expertise. She emphasised that practical AI training empowers individuals to manage intelligent systems effectively, removing barriers to tech careers. At FDM’s Leeds hub alone, over 2,000 new careers have been launched, showing the potential of targeted upskilling initiatives.
Improving Public Services with Technology
Google DeepMind will collaborate with government technical teams to deploy emerging technologies, aiming to boost efficiency in public services. Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, welcomed the focus on tech and AI skills, noting their importance in digital transformation and resource optimisation.
He added that success depends on strong data quality and governance. Building clear data structures, ensuring data accessibility across departments, and keeping humans involved in decisions will improve accountability and transparency in government services.
Replacing Legacy Systems with Secure Cloud Technology
More than 25% of public sector systems currently operate on outdated technology, vulnerable to outages and cyber threats. Google Cloud will assist in migrating these systems to secure-by-design cloud platforms, providing flexibility and encouraging innovation.
This shift is part of a broader effort to change how the government works with technology providers, aiming for better service delivery and increased technology adoption across departments.
Government Calls for Innovation
At Google’s Cloud Summit in London, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasised the government's commitment to using more technology in more areas. He invited technology companies to bring forward their best solutions and competitive pricing to support public sector transformation.
- Focus on practical digital and AI skill development for civil servants
- Target of 100,000 trained staff by 2030, with 10% in tech roles
- £45 billion in efficiency savings expected through technology upgrades
- Migration from legacy systems to secure cloud infrastructure
- Partnership with Google Cloud and DeepMind to deploy emerging technologies
This initiative represents a significant step for civil servants to gain relevant digital skills and help modernise government services. For those interested in expanding their expertise in AI and cloud technologies, Complete AI Training offers a variety of courses tailored to different skill levels and job roles.
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