A new bootcamp to increase data science skills across London’s local government has been launched today (Monday 12 July) by the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) and the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Data Science Campus.

Fifteen officers working for London boroughs and the Greater London Authority (GLA) have been selected for the pilot cohort of this new data science bootcamp.

The 12-week programme blends structured training with project-based mentoring and will develop coding and analysis skills for data matching projects. It will improve the officers’ ability to help London boroughs and the GLA to use data to gain a deeper understanding of the city, underpin policy and design more effective services.

The programme is modelled on the unique ‘applied training’ approach delivered by the ONS Data Science Campus, tailored in collaboration with LOTI, London boroughs and the GLA to meet the needs of data scientists and analysts working in London government.

It also equips graduates to teach colleagues what they have learned thanks to a ‘train the trainer’ approach, enabling these skills to be shared at pace.

Eddie Copeland, Director of LOTI, said:

“Using data intelligently and responsibly is absolutely key to enabling local government to be truly responsive to their residents’ needs. This programme will help ensure that London boroughs have access to advanced data skills in-house, aiding them in using the information at their disposal to deliver better, more coordinated services for Londoners.”