Mind the skills gap: creating a data access and reuse competency framework for government departments and organisations

Having access to the vital data collected by government departments can make a huge difference to the work of researchers in universities and charities. But for these researchers to actually access and be able to reuse this data is an often painstaking process that can take months or even longer. Richard Welpton suggests this process might be made quicker and more efficient with a renewed focus on improving data skills and career opportunities. The newly established Safe Data Access Professionals Competency Framework represents an excellent resource for all government departments and organisations looking to share their data safely, securely, efficiently, and effectively.