Why Preston City Council is boosting the AI and data skills of its staff

The authority’s cabinet has agreed to spend government apprenticeship levy cash on ‘upskilling’ those workers whose performance it is believed could be enhanced by boosting their digital capabilities.

A report presented to cabinet members stated that “empowering staff with the skills to use the latest technologies” would “increase service efficiency and improve data-driven decision making”.

It added that data usage was "fundamental" to the town hall’s operations - both now and within whatever enlarged authority the city council is subsumed into as part of the forthcoming shake-up of local government in Lancashire.

Members were told that data and AI training had been identified - following discussions between senior managers and officers - as a way of making improvements in areas such as dealing with homelessness, where relevant data across both housing and benefits services could be better joined up.

“This would aid in helping the council shift from the expensive, reactive cost of B&B accommodation to cost-effective, compassionate prevention,” the report said.

It noted the broader need to better link data across the different departments of the authority and so prevent it from becoming trapped in “silos” and not used to its maximum effect.

The cabinet heard that the so-called “corporate insight” of the council would be improved by enabling the reporting of “key indicators” for the benefit of committees and councillors - as well as benefiting property operations and investments.

The staff to be trained will be identified by a survey to ensure that they are put on the correct course for their needs.

The authority says its workforce will be provided with “competitive, in-demand skills…which are essential when it comes to modern service delivery” - and stresses that they will be selected “based on potential, not background”.