Reaching “world-leading” levels of digital inclusion will be at the core of plans to digitally transform Scotland in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Plans laid out in the updated Digital Strategy, developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA, reveal a shared commitment to deliver accessible digital public services and explore new, tech-driven ways to support Scotland’s post-pandemic recovery.

The strategy identifies key areas in which digital technology will have a transformative impact, such as industry, society and local and national government.

Setting out a clear vision for every business in Scotland to become a digitally native firm, the strategy also highlights the importance of improving digital education for children and the upskilling of Scotland’s workforce.

The Scottish Government says achieving these goals will be crucial if Scotland is to “keep pace internationally”.

Commenting on the Strategy, Innovation Minister Ivan McKee said Holyrood is determined to ensure that “no one is left behind” as the country moves forward post-pandemic.

“Digital technology is a source of incredible opportunity – to open new markets, work in new ways, tackle climate change and make links across the globe,” the Innovation Minister said.

“The response to the pandemic has seen the public and private sectors deliver new services online and at speed. We’ll build on that momentum to support Scotland’s people, and its businesses, to thrive in the digital world,” he added.

McKee hailed progress already made in boosting digital inclusion across Scotland, particularly the Connecting Scotland initiative, which is helping to bring 55,000 people online by the end of the year.

Connecting Scotland is a collaboration between the Scottish Government, local government and the third sector developed in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic. The programme is providing data, training support and services to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and digitally excluded people.

“We want to go further and achieve world-leading levels of inclusion – as part of an ethical digital nation in which everybody has the skills, connectivity and devices required to reap the benefits of technology,” McKee commented.

Recommended

• Technology and the post-pandemic world with Theo Priestley
• Strasbourg data centre fire disrupts online services
• Scot-Secure 2021 Virtual Summit | Just two weeks to go!

Gail MacGregor, COSLA resources spokesperson, echoed McKee’s comments, noting that the pandemic has underlined the significant progress that can be achieved in boosting digital inclusion.

“Digital technologies are changing the way we live our daily lives. The Digital Strategy for Scotland sets out an ambitious vision of a Scotland where everyone has the necessary skills and connectivity to thrive,” she said.

MacGregor insisted that the strategy provides Scotland with an opportunity to transform access to services which are purposefully designed “around the needs of people”.

‘Keeping Pace’

A key factor in remaining globally competitive, the strategy reveals, centres around support for Scotland’s growing technology industry.

The government hopes to establish the sector as an “innovative and global player,” attract increased levels of inward investment and “foster a network of digital and data talent”.

Bolstering inward investment has been a key strategy of the Scottish Government as it clambers to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

In October last year, Holyrood unveiled its inward investment strategy, which aims to attract leading global firms to Scotland and identified key “areas of opportunity” for the country – ranging from financial services to the steadily expanding space sector.

Karen Meechan, Interim Chief Executive at ScotlandIS, said Scotland has the opportunity to build “one of the world’s best technology ecosystems,” but warned that delivering the strategy will require significant investment and focus.

“From tech scalers to embedding digital in our learning, business and social lives, Scotland can create a truly digital nation,” she said.

“The Scottish Government’s strategy recognises the opportunity,  but it can only be delivered with financial backing, strong leadership and a partnership approach with Scotland’s digital sector from the outset,” Meechan added.