HMRC boosts data scientist numbers | Computer Weekly
Summary
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has significantly increased its spending on data science expertise, according to figures revealed by a Freedom of Information (FoI) request. The FoI findings have been analysed by the Parliament Street think tank, who have been investigating the data capabilities of the department over the past three financial years. “Advancing technology adoption, however, is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires stewardship, investment and oversight, and hiring people with the right skill set puts you merely at the starting line,” he said. “To ensure success, it will be critical to enable these people to do their jobs to their best ability – that means defining their role clearly, helping remove roadblocks, and providing ample opportunity for ongoing learning and upskilling as technology rapidly advances. UK universities have only been able to supply around 10,000 data specialist graduates per year, but figures suggest the actual demand for staff with those skills could be 10 or 20 times higher.