Digital Launchpad – Tackling the digital projects skills gap - Part 2

Al Morris

Transformation Lead

Following on from Tackling the digital projects skills gap - part 1 blog, this 2nd edition looks to show you what This is Milk are doing to resolve this issue. If you haven't read the first blog yet, do so now and we will see you in a minute.

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Doing what we do best ​

So we now know that there is a massive skills gap in Scotland, for professionals that are equipped with the skills needed to understand and research customer needs, taking those right the way through the project, from end to end.

This is Milk have been exploring ways to create a talent pipeline around these digital project skills. 
Our solution is to create a job that does not currently exist.  At the moment we're calling this A Customer Analyst - however the name is still up for grabs. 
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A Customer Analyst has the full understanding and skills needed to cradle a digital project from it's initial conception all the way through to project delivery. It takes the vital skills of business analysis, user research, strategy, service design and project/product management and amalgamates into a role that will change the way digital projects are delivered forever.  ​

How to become a Customer Analyst? ​

​(Stay tuned for blog 3 in the series to find out exactly what this analyst role will look like).

In an active move to solve the problem facing digital projects in Scotland, This is Milk are launching the Digital Launchpad programme. 

This is a new to market 4 week intensive training course run in partnership with industry professionals and corporate partners. In 4 weeks we will teach candidates everything they need to know to become a Customer Analyst, before placing them in residency with one of our corporate partners. This will put their skills to the test in a real life professional environment. 

This is Milk and mentors will provide ongoing mentorship throughout the training and placement for all students, allowing them to flourish in their new roles, giving businesses total piece of mind that they are getting a professional that can handle the challenge. ​

​What are we doing right now? ​

In order to launch this programme we are currently gathering insight from industry, candidates and employers to help us finalise course content and schedules. This includes an invite only round table to be held on the 26th of January 2018.
 
We look forward to publishing the results of this round table and implementing our findings into the Digital Launchpad programme. ​

How can you get involved? ​

This is Milk is currently looking for candidates to take part in Digital Launchpad, as well corporate partners to work alongside us delivering the programme with a pool of industry mentors.
 
Candidates: We are aiming for 5-8 candidates to launch our pilot in mid April 2018.  
If you believe you have what it takes and love the idea of working in digital projects, we would love to talk to you.  So whether you're a graduate, a career returner or looking for a career shift - please get in touch to find out more.
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Corporate Partners: We need businesses that can offer our students 6-12 week placements on real projects. Currently we are aiming for 2 to 4 partners. You must be ready to work with This is Milk to solve a national issue and receive all of the benefits of doing so. 
If this sounds like you, then please get in touch. 

We're still capturing insight as well - please take a few minutes and complete one of our surveys:

• For people who hire for projects
• For people in high growth tech
• For people who work on projects ​​​

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​(Blog first published 01/18/2018)