The Education element of MK:Smart was flagged as a positive case study in a report providing recommendations on how the UK can ensure it is competitive in the domain of data analytics.
The briefing from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) suggested that data analytics could be embedded in other academic subjects.
“For example, the Urban Data School… develops data skills in young people by enabling them to use open and big datasets, such as energy, transport and satellite data, to analyse local issues.”
Nesta is an independent charity that works to increase the innovation capacity of the UK. The organisation acts through a combination of practical programmes, investment, policy and research, and the formation of partnerships to promote innovation across a broad range of sectors. It’s report highlighted a shortage of appropriately skilled workers at data-driven companies.
“The UK, referred to by some as ‘The Connected Kingdom’, is particularly well-placed to benefit. But if data is the new oil, logically, it won’t be useful to business until refined. That requires analytical skills… it appears that barriers to accessing analytical talent are preventing businesses from fully harnessing its potential.”
Schemes such as the Urban Data School work to engage students in analytics early on in order to inspire the data scientists of the future.
To read more here – Analytic Britain: Securing the right skills for the data-driven economy