Leadership Prospectus
The Scottish Digital Academy is the public sector centre of excellence for digital capability in Scotland. Our prospectus provides an overview of our leadership development courses and programmes.
These courses are funded by the Scottish Government Digital Directorate.
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Transforming public services
The Leadership Prospectus helps leaders shape strategic transformation and manage operations by refining their leadership approach. Our offer enables them to inspire teams, design user-centred services and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset. Our offer also provides an opportunity to hear more about the work of the Digital Directorate in Scottish Government and the technologies that are available for use, such as the Scottish Government Cloud Platform, App, identity services, payments and licencing platforms and the Digital Scotland Service Manual.
Agile mindsets are vital for public service reform. We provide Senior Civil Servants with high-quality learning opportunities to build knowledge and confidence in developing digital products and services.
Open Courses for Public and Third Sector Leaders
These courses are available to anyone working in the public or third sector in Scotland. You do not need to be a Civil Servant nor do you need to work in a digital or data role. There are four open courses which are designed to provide progression in learning, but you may attend any of them in an order to suit you.
- Digital Leadership Essentials (2 hour course at an awareness skill level)
- Agile Mindsets for Leaders (1 day course at a working skill level)
- Agile Leadership in Practice (1 day course at a practitioner skill level)
- Leading in a Digital World (4 day programme at an expert skill level)
Full details and eligibility criteria can be found on each course page. These courses are in high demand, if you cannot see any scheduled dates complete the waiting list or contact us and we will contact you when a space become available.
Available courses
Digital Leadership Essentials
Open to leaders and professionals across the Scottish public and third sectors, this course offers a unique opportunity to explore how government is driving digital transformation. It provides insight into the digital products and services shaping public service delivery and helps participants develop the knowledge and confidence to lead change.
Agile Mindsets for Leaders
Agile Mindsets for Leaders is designed for senior leaders across the Scottish public and third sectors who want to deepen their understanding of agile ways of working. The course explores how agile principles can be applied to the development of digital products and services, helping leaders to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver better outcomes.
Agile Leadership in Practice
Agile Leadership in Practice is designed for senior leaders across the Scottish public and third sectors who lead or manage agile teams in complex operating environments. The course explores practical strategies to help leaders foster collaboration, build resilience, navigate uncertainty, and deliver meaningful impact through agile ways of working.
Leading in a Digital World
Designed for senior leaders and practitioners across the Scottish public and third sectors, this programme helps deepen understanding of the principles and concepts shaping digital transformation. It equips leaders with the insight and confidence to navigate change, drive innovation, and lead successfully in an increasingly digital landscape.
Digital Leadership and Skills for Senior Civil Servants
To lead effectively in the digital world, Senior Civil Servants (SCS) must be confident in delivering digital programmes and projects. Whether it’s shaping policy, improving services, or making informed decisions, embracing digital skills will empower us to lead with impact.
Participants will learn from real-world experiences of SCS digital specialists, build a stronger network with peers across government, and stay ahead of technological advances that impact public service delivery. The programme consists of five themed days, which can be taken in any order, though I recommend completing all five for maximum benefit.
Lesley Fraser
Director General Corporate, Scottish Government
Developing digital leaders (SCS only)
From building effective teams and managing performance through to resolving team tensions and coping with periods of change and ambiguity, leading and managing people can be a constant challenge. Additional leadership and development opportunities are available for Civil Servants through Pathways. This offer is supported by the Scottish Government People Directorate.
The Scottish Digital Academy provides five courses for Senior Civil Servants (SCS). These are available to Scottish Government employees, only (including Executive Agency employees). Similar content is delivered through the Leading in a Digital World programme which is open to the public and third sector.
This offer is designed and delivered by the Senior Leadership Team in the Digital Directorate. We recommend completing the whole offer in order, however delegates may attend any courses which they find most suited to their development requirements and courses can be attended in any order, either in entirety or individually.
Themes include:
- Leading Digital in the Scottish Government
- Innovation in the Public Sector
- Designing quality services around people and AI
- Solutions For You
- Building Strong Foundations for Success
Course One: Leading Digital in the Scottish Government
Leading Digital in the Scottish Government gives SCS a strategic view of how digital transformation is approached within government. The course explores how agile leadership enables the transformation of public services and introduces the portfolio approach, designed to break down silos, support more centralised decision-making and provide a holistic perspective on delivery.
Course Two: Innovation in the Public Sector
Innovation in the Public Sector: How to Harness the Potential of Technology Without Getting Caught in the Hype helps senior leaders develop innovative and entrepreneurial thinking while staying grounded in public service values. The course explores how mission, vision and values drive performance and introduces challenge-based innovation as a practical approach to harnessing new technology for public benefit.
Course Three: Designing quality services around people and AI
Designing Quality Services Around People and AI helps senior leaders build the knowledge and confidence to harness data and emerging technologies responsibly. The course explores cyber resilience, data analysis, the AI register and its governance and how data science and the right data solutions can be used to address real-world challenges and design services that truly meet people’s needs.
Course Four: Solutions For You
Solutions for You helps senior leaders understand the importance of designing accessible, user-centred public services. The course explores accessibility regulations and best practice, introduces user-centred design principles and supports leaders to apply innovative approaches to service, operational and policy delivery.
Course Five: Building Strong Foundations for Success
Building Strong Foundations for Success helps senior leaders understand how architecture acts as a strategic enabler of public service transformation. The course explores the challenges, outcomes and benefits of good architectural practice while offering fresh perspectives on leadership in a digital world.
Register interest for upcoming leadership webinars
Is the Scottish Digital Academy part of the Scottish Government?
Yes. The Scottish Digital Academy sits within the Digital Directorate – People, Strategy and Corporate Services Division.
Who can register to attend a course?
Anyone working within the public and third sector in Scotland can register to attend one of our courses or programmes.
Are courses accredited?
Our courses are not accredited or certificated unless otherwise stated.
Is training delivered online?
As a result of Covid restrictions, all our training is delivered online unless otherwise stated. We use a variety of online platforms and you’re advised to check the course details for further information.
Can I suggest a course that isn’t listed?
Yes. Email us digitalacademy@gov.scot and tell us your ideas. We can’t guarantee to provide the course for you but we will listen and include it in our demand planning.