Universities unveil City Region Deal plan to tackle digital skills gap

The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University will work together to train 100,000 people in data skills and help 1,000 organisations through data.

The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University have launched a major initiative that includes plans to improve digital skills across south east Scotland. The new venture is set to transform Edinburgh and its surrounding area into the data capital of Europe.

The £661m Data-Driven Innovation initiative is a key part of the recently-announced Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. It aims to train 100,000 people in data skills over the next decade, from computer science specialists to traditional jobs that will increasingly use data.

It is estimated that Scotland needs around 13,000 extra workers each year with data skills as the workplace is transformed. The Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy, published in 2017, included plans to tackle this digital skills gap while growing the Scottish economy.

Together, the two universities will increase the provision of data science teaching for their students, and support schools and colleges across the region to provide digital skills teaching and training. The region’s supercomputing capabilities will also be strengthened with investment in a data analysis facility, which will help 1,000 organisations use data to innovate within their sectors.

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said:

 This exciting project – backed by £270m of UK Government investment – will ensure that the UK leads the world in technologies of the future and benefits from the economic growth opportunities this brings.

“By giving 100,000 people, and 1,000 companies, the skills and capability they need to drive innovation through big data and artificial intelligence, this partnership working will help maximise the potential of these sectors – a key goal of the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.”

The Scottish Government’s Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said:

“The £300m Scottish Government investment in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will help deliver inclusive economic growth across the region. The Data-Driven Innovation programme will be key to this, providing a significant step-change in our productivity.

“We are working to ensure Scotland is an internationally recognised vibrant, inclusive, open and outward-looking digital nation. I welcome the contribution that Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt Universities are making to ensure the new opportunities and benefits created by City Region Deal investment are spread across the region, providing individuals with the digital skills and aptitudes necessary to succeed while helping industry source the talent they need to grow and flourish.”

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Senior Vice Principal, University of Edinburgh, said:

“The University's strengths in data science have been driving innovation in the public and private sectors, for the past decade and more, through our research and the skills our graduates bring into the regional economy. The City Region Deal will now give us the capacity to do much more across a wider range of sectors, including healthcare, robotics and fintech. But perhaps the most important part of the Deal is our commitment to ensure people in the region can build the skills to flourish in the data-driven economy.

“So we are working not just in our universities, but also with schools, colleges and businesses so people have the opportunities to develop data skills across their life-course. This could include young people about to enter the workforce, women returning after career breaks, or people looking to reskill in mid-career. We know that data-driven innovation will bring economic growth - we want that growth to be inclusive and open to all.”

Professor Richard A Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said:

“By working in partnership we can ensure our city community can prosper and achieve its obvious potential as the leading international research hub for digital innovation. Our frontier research and educational skills in digital technology and its application in artificial intelligence and robotics are already shaping and driving the future and taking Scottish innovation to the world.”

Jarmo Eskelinen has been appointed to lead the Data-Driven Innovation initiative. He comes to Edinburgh from his previous role as Chief Innovation and Technology Officer of the London-based Future Cities Catapult initiative. Welcoming his new role, Jarmo Eskelinen said:

“Data is the new soil, and collaboration the seeds. The Data-Driven Innovation initiative is unique in its ambition and scale. It’s been designed to reach out to the whole City Region, so we can develop and test new services to meet the needs of our citizens. 

“I am extremely honoured to join the programme team and have the chance to collaborate with and learn from the world-leading experts of the two Universities. I look forward to helping a diverse range of organisations benefit from the fast-developing field of data-driven innovation.”

The £1.3bn Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal was announced by the Prime Minister and First Minister at the University of Edinburgh on 7 August. It aims to drive growth for everyone across the area and includes investment in transport, housing, culture and skills and employability.

Further Information

Data-Driven Innovation website

Data-Driven Innovation launch short video

City Region Deal on the hunt for leading lights from private and third sectors

Applications are open for individuals in the private and third sectors to join the Regional Enterprise Council (REC) for the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal.

The City Region Deal is a £1.3bn investment over the next 15 years that aims to accelerate economic growth and create opportunities for citizens across the entire South-East of Scotland.

The UK and Scottish Government are partnering with six local authorities (Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian), Edinburgh’s universities and colleges and the private and third sectors to deliver the Deal.

Anyone working in the private or third sectors in the region covered by the Deal can apply for the REC. The role of the Council is to advise the decision-making body, the Joint Committee, on aspects of the Deal. Members will support the implementation of the Deal and provide a consensus from their sector based on their industry knowledge. Appointed individuals will engage with their own networks to help capture a wide range of views and champion the Deal nationally and internationally to encourage investment opportunities. 

City of Edinburgh Councillor Adam McVey, Chair of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Leaders’ Group, said: “The Regional Enterprise Council will be a pivotal part of the governance structure for the City Region Deal.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals from the private and third sector who are passionate about the place they live and work to contribute to a better future for all. They will support the delivery of the Deal’s ambitious plans for sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits everyone across the capital and the Lothians and from Fife down to the Borders. The Council will be a key component in helping to fully capitalise on the opportunities the Deal investment creates.”

The REC will comprise 12 members and will be representative of the region’s diverse economy and demographics. All local authority areas will be represented by at least one member with significant operations in their area and individuals will come from a range of organisation sizes.

Anyone interested can apply at http://www.acceleratinggrowth.org.uk/rec

Historic £1.3bn Edinburgh and South-East City Region Deal agreed

Historic £1.3bn Edinburgh and South-East City Region Deal agreed

A £1.3bn investment to unlock economic prosperity will be agreed today (Tuesday 7 August) for Edinburgh and the South-East of Scotland following the formal signing of a City Region Deal.

The Deal is an agreement between the UK Government, Scottish Government, the local authorities of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, West Lothian and the region’s universities and colleges. There are also regional partners from the private and third sectors.

The UK and Scottish governments will invest £300m each over the next 15 years with other partners committing to an additional £700m. The £1.3bn investment is anticipated to generate over £5bn worth of Gross Value Added (GVA) over the Deal’s lifespan.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Adam McVey, speaking on behalf of all local authority partners, said: ““The agreement of this ambitious Deal heralds the beginning of a transformative and inclusive programme which will help share our success right across the region.”

“This investment will allow us to unlock the region’s potential to become a global powerhouse in data driven innovation through our exceptional research and development activities, whilst the commitment to a skills programme will enhance job prospects for everyone and allow us to capitalise on the opportunities technology and innovation creates. We will also greatly enhance the region’s infrastructure through significant funding for transport projects and housing development to build a vibrant region for people and businesses to thrive in.”

Among the key commitments in the Deal are:

·         £350m for world leading innovation centres

·         £25m capital funding for a first-class music and performance venue and Edinburgh’s first purpose built music venue in a century

·         £140m for a crucially needed A720 city bypass at the Sheriffhall Roundabout and further enhancements across West Edinburgh

·         £25m for a regional skills programme to support improved career opportunities for disadvantaged groups

·         £65m of new funding for housing to unlock strategic development sites.

Download the City Region Deal Document.

City Region Partners Approve Deal Documentation

In June 2018 the six local authorities in the city region, plus the three university courts in of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt and Queen Margaret approved City Region Deal Documentation, subject to signing between partners and Government ministers.

The documentation sets out: out approach to inclusive growth, more detail on the projects, and the Governance Framework for the delivery phase.

The links to the Council reports are below:

• City of Edinburgh
• East Lothian
• Fife 
• Midlothian
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal Secured

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region has secured a £1.1bn deal from the UK and Scottish Governments.

Download the Heads of Terms.

The ambitious city region deal, which will drive investment and address inclusion across the area, is being signed today by First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Damian Green; Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown and Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Adam McVey on behalf of local authority partners (East Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian). Also present will be David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland. 

The heads of terms is an agreement between the Scottish Government, the six local authorities, the UK Government and regional partners. Both governments are committed to jointly investing £600m over the next 15 years and regional partners have committed to adding up to £500m, overall representing a deal worth £1.1bn. In addition, the deal will generate over £5bn worth of Gross Value Added (GVA) over the same period. 

Key commitments 

• £300m for world leading data innovation centres
• £140m for crucially needed A720 city bypass at the Sheriffhall Roundabout and transport improvements across west Edinburgh
• £20m capital funding for new world class concert hall
• £25m regional skills programme to support improved career opportunities for disadvantaged groups
• £65m of new funding for housing to unlock strategic development sites 

Council Leader Adam McVey, speaking on behalf of all of the local authority partners, said: “I am delighted that this ambitious deal for the region has now been agreed, creating up to 21,000 new jobs. This will allow us to transform the area delivering high quality jobs, housing, critical infrastructure, a new skills programme, and a world class concert hall. 

“The significant investment in innovation and culture is also to be welcomed as they are both hugely important to the region’s economy. This will put us at the forefront of data driven innovation ensuring we are ahead of the game in a technology driven world. 

“We are home to world class research and development activity, much of which acts as an anchor for the development of new products and services through innovation in the private sector. As a world class festival city, Edinburgh attracts over 4m visitors every year adding over £1.3bn to the economy annually. 

“Today’s signing is an important first step as we begin to work with both governments to deliver on the commitments in the deal to ensure the region is vibrant and inclusive going forward.”

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, said: “The Scottish Government has been fully committed to this deal and I am very pleased that we have been able to get to the stage of achieving such an ambitious deal for the region.  Edinburgh and its city region is an area of huge importance to the Scottish economy, containing over a quarter of Scotland’s population and contributing £33 billion to the Scottish and UK economies.

“The projects agreed today will help the region continue to thrive and grow, fulfilling our ambitions for the region to be one of the fairest and most inclusive areas in the country.”

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “The UK Government is investing £300 million in the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland City Region Deal, which will boost the economy of Edinburgh and the whole of South-East Scotland for decades to come. The Edinburgh deal will focus on the capital’s strengths of new technology, innovation and culture. It will make a real difference to the lives of people in the region, creating jobs and prosperity and driving investment.

“The Edinburgh deal brings UK Government investment in UK City Deals in Scotland so far to more than £1 billion, and demonstrates clearly the value to Scotland’s economy of being part of a strong United Kingdom.”

East Lothian Council Leader Cllr Willie Innes, said: “This is an exciting and significant opportunity to boost East Lothian’s economy while investing in skills and housing programmes for local people. 

“I am delighted that East Lothian Council, working with other local authorities in the region and national Government, has secured support for this major package to help accelerate growth. 

“The Regional Housing Programme will help accelerate investment in affordable housing, including at Blindwells – a site which is significant for East Lothian’s future. 

“Another important element is helping to develop our people, and I warmly welcome the allocation of resources towards skills programmes which have the potential to strengthen the workforce, ensuring that East Lothian is well positioned to build strong, sustainable economic growth.” 

Councillor Shona Haslam, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “This is excellent news for the Scottish Borders. We will not only benefit from specific funding but also from a stronger and more vibrant city region. this will be achieved through a range of projects to be taken forward by the individual partners and collectively.

“For the Borders specifically, this deal will enable us to maximise the delivery of affordable housing, stimulate private sector investment and support local jobs, and will be a further step towards ensuring that our young people can see a future for themselves within the Scottish Borders.  Key to this is the promotion of inclusive growth.

“A focus for us will be driving forward the development of the Central Borders Business Park in Tweedbank. This builds on the success of the Borders Railway and is yet another example of the Council seeking to maximise the economic benefits that the railway provides.

“Edinburgh and the wider city region drives significant economic growth for Scotland and the UK. Through working with our local authority partners, the UK and Scottish governments, this deal will unlock the potential of that for the Scottish Borders and accelerate growth in this area.” 

Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal of the University of Edinburgh and Professor of Informatics and Education, added:“The City Deal is a major vote of confidence in the economic strengths of Edinburgh and South East Scotland. We are delighted that the University of Edinburgh will be playing a key role with our partners in government, industry and other universities in growing the region’s digital economy. 

"Our research in new data technologies and the skills of our graduates have helped establish Edinburgh over the last decade as one of the main centres of the digital economy in the UK. The City Deal provides the impetus to move to the next level: a transformational programme of data-driven innovation which will harness the power of data technologies across the economy, from healthcare to agriculture, robotics, public services, finance and the creative industries, and equip many more of our young people from all backgrounds to succeed in the digital economy. 

"Our aim is to help establish the region as the Data Capital of Europe, drawing in inward investment, fuelling entrepreneurship, and delivering inclusive economic growth.”