UrbanTide has been appointed as the single supplier of open data training services for the Irish public sector. Read on and find out more about this unique and exciting project and how Ireland plans to foster an even stronger open data ecosystem.

In 2014, building on the extensive Irish Open Data activity that has been ongoing for a number of years, Ireland launched its national Open Data Ireland Initiative. Now, as part of this Initiative we’ve been appointed as the single supplier of open data training services for the Irish public sector.

“UrbanTide was born in Scotland in 2014 but has increasingly been working with clients across the UK and beyond. It is a significant challenge for an SME to establish a reputation in another country, due to balancing limited and competing resource time,not because of a lack of desire to do so. This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver against our international expansion ambition - and we will grasp it with both hands ”

— Pippa Gardner CEO of UrbanTide

In particular, we are impressed by the vision and strategic intent of the public sector in Ireland towards not just open data but improving the re-use of data to deliver real value.  We are very much looking forward to working in partnership with organisations across Ireland to deliver on this potential.

Our open data training journey so far

At UrbanTide, we’ve already taken several organisations through a transformative data journey. Most recently we’ve worked together in similar capacity with the Scottish Government. In 2016, we had a fantastic year touring Scotland and delivering open data training workshops on behalf of the Scottish Government to a total of 317 public sector delegates from 74 public bodies.

Participants came together from different backgrounds and disciplines: GIS, procurement, governance, ICT and data analysis to discuss the barriers and opportunities that open data can unlock.

“Really enjoyed the informal nature of the course. Made it very easy to share knowledge, exchange ideas, etc, with other participants.”

— Information Governance Manager, North Ayrshire Council

“I think this course needs to be delivered to everyone with a strategic role! I will share it with colleagues, including directorate heads...”

— Cat Young, Assistant Programme Manager: Strategic Planning - NHS Lothian

“My key takeaway message is that data is open by default and that is the message I will feed back to my organisation. I am also aware that to some extent we are already subscribing to the ethos of Open Data but can do much more. Excellent and highly informative course”

— Katherine McBay, The James Hutton Institute, Information Governance Officer

Our work in Ireland

Ireland’s Open Data Strategy 2017-2022 sets out that public bodies are to identify and publish appropriate datasets on the internet as open data. The Initiative aims to create an environment whereby opening up Government data, new opportunities for research, innovation, transparency, engagement and greater efficiency are delivered and realised by all.  

UrbanTide will work together with organisations from the Irish public sector including:

• Ministries/Government Departments and Agencies;
• Central Government;
• all local authorities in Ireland and contracting authorities in the Irish health sector;
• Garda Síochána (Police);
• Third Level Educational Institutions and Education and Training Boards (ETBs)
• The Irish Prison Service; and
• The Defence Forces.

The contract has the potential to run for 3 years allowing the Irish Public Sector’s open data journey to grow with UrbanTide and vice versa.

The open data training, among others, covers the topics of anonymisation, linked data, data analytics and visualisation techniques. We believe that this open data training series is only just the beginning. We are extremely proud to have earned the opportunity to support the public sector in Ireland on their ambitious data journey and hope to collaborate with them on potential future opportunities as well.

Keep checking this space for updates on our training in Ireland, as we will keep blogging about our experiences and the lessons we learn along the way.