Public sector IT association Socitm and Microsoft have launched a change agents training programme.
It is focused on areas for public sector organisations to consider when undertaking transformational activity, such as change management, leadership responsibilities, a growth mindset and learning styles.
Socitm said it will be delivered over five days to provide learnings on a range of skills and technology opportunities and share best practice and experiences.
Attendees are introduced to a range of Microsoft technology, such as the Power Platform, and helped to develop their skills on familiar solutions such as Teams and SharePoint.
They also spend time with delivery partners to learn how technology is being used to transform public services.
A trial with Coventry, Norfolk and Walsall councils helped shape course content before official roll out.
Combining considerations
Nadira Hussain, chief executive officer at Socitm, said: “The change agent programme brings together two often separate considerations (people and technology) and challenges attendees to consider how these capabilities can be used in a complementary way to improve working practices and re-imagine services.
“The blend of lessons worked well and it was fantastic to see attendees learn how they might tackle change programmes in their specific teams, for their services and foster a more transformative approach organisationally.”
The next cohort of the programme is planned for the end of June, with the aim of providing five cohorts each year.
The model aims to support 20-25 councils in each cohort, with 20-30 end-users from each council able to attend the five-day programme.
A complementary two-day course has been developed to enable 15-20 managers to participate in order to support the take-up and benefits of the initiative.
