Digital Skills Survey Results

Online safety

We asked you questions based on online safety.

Internet skills

We asked you questions based on using the internet. 94% of entries can get online and 94% can also use search engines and purchase items online. There were some key areas for development:

Using Welsh digitally

We asked you questions based on using Welsh and translation tools on your device. One of the free text comments also highlighted the need for more information on translation on platforms like Microsoft Teams and Cysill and how to use them.

For those that communicate in Welsh:

82.6% of entries have helped someone get online or use their device. A total of 559 entries indicated that they have helped colleagues with getting online or with their device. Some of the free text comments mentioned the frequent need to support staff with new digital tools, such as using SharePoint as an example. Another comment highlighted how our services could make better use of technology to replace current paperwork functions, and how we need to share and learn more from each other.

We asked you what you would be interested in learning about. Some of the top votes were Microsoft Excel with 298 entries, Online Safety with 232 entries, Email with 211 entries, and Using Welsh on my device with 205 entries.

Some of the 129 'other' free text themes were wanting more support with using SharePoint for saving, storing and accessing documents, exploring and understanding AI tools, and learning about Microsoft Power BI and Power Automate.

Another free text theme that emerged from the survey was around the digital skills of management. Comments ranged from needing more digital support for new managers, staff supporting managers digitally, and looking at how we could utilise digital skill assessments as part of our recruitment process.

• Promote and encourage staff to complete a new mandatory Cyber Awareness in the Workplace eLearning module to give more knowledge on how to be safe online. And explore how we can package an online safety programme for beginners to promote a digitally safe workforce.
• Create and share resources that support staff accessing services and information online effectively (e.g. managing Health and Wellbeing online).
• Create a resource that shows and promotes the use of translation features and Welsh tools on Staff's devices.
• Promote and encourage staff to develop their skills in available Microsoft programs (Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint), and regularly advertise fully funded opportunities.
• Develop an established Digital Mentor Programme. Offer staff the opportunity to undertake Digital Mentor training across the authority to enhance the support we are providing to each other.
• Explore the use of digital assessments after recruitment, and how we can support new managers develop their skills further.
• Support the implementation of IT's AI Strategy and share resources that will help staff use AI effectively.
• Advertise the Supporting your digital skills Intranet page regularly to all staff and utilise all communication routes to reach as many members of staff as possible.

This survey will act as a baseline for current digital skills across the organisation and will influence a training plan moving forward. To work in line with Carmarthenshire's Digital Transformation Strategy, we will seek to send out this digital survey again in 3 years to compare how our actions have created an impact, and how we can continue to develop a digitally enabled workforce.

If you would like to see the full survey report on your service area then please contact Holly Rowley on hlrowley@carmarthenshire.gov.uk