The Digital Office for Scottish Local Government has announced a new strategic partnership with Microsoft.

As part of the agreement, Microsoft will now grant members of the Local Government Digital Partnership access to its Enterprise Skilling Initiative (ESI).

It is hoped that this will support the Digital Office in its work to build digital capability, skills and talent across Scottish local government.

Following the partnership, local government staff will now be able to access professional learning and obtain Microsoft Certifications in the following areas:

• Microsoft Learn: self-paced, in-depth guided learning paths and interactive, hands-on modules.
• Microsoft Virtual Training Days: events with live moderators supporting attendee questions.
• Microsoft Delivered Courses and instructor-led training support.
• Learning Partner Training and virtual classroom-based learning.
• Microsoft Certifications: career, recognition, and validation of technical knowledge through accredited Microsoft Certifications.
• Productivity Workshops: upskilling on Office Applications, Power BI and more.

All participating councils, COSLA, Scotland Excel, SEEMiS and Improvement Service staff will be able to access the ESI Learning platform from 1st November 2022.

Steven Grier, Director of Devolved Government at Microsoft said, “Given the current challenges Scottish Local Government are currently facing with financial, service and digital skills pressures, Microsoft are delighted to be working in partnership with the Digital Office and able to offer this initiative to the members of the Scottish Local Government Digital Partnership.”

The Digital Office said the partnership will enable it to “significantly increase” the digital productivity of Local Government organisations while greatly reducing the financial burden on training budgets.

Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer for the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government said: “This amazing offer from Microsoft, to access the ESI platform, is very much welcomed.

“It will help us save sector wide on digital training costs and support colleagues with increasing confidence and skills in Microsoft products.

“This initiative will also enhance wider digital transformation skills due to the variety of courses available to all employees within an organisation.”

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