New partnership to scale up on digital talent in Welsh public sector

The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) has announced a new partnership with Cardiff-based Yolk Recruitment. The collaboration aims to enable public sector organisations in Wales to fill critical digital, data and technology (DDaT) roles and provide them with specialist advice and support.

With a potential value of £15 millionover 3 years, the agreement is expected to play a key role in facilitating the transition to modern public services that meet the needs and expectations of the users across a variety of sectors, including local government, education and health.

Welcoming the new partnership, Joint CEO of CDPS, Myra Hunt, said:

“We're excited to welcome Yolk on board as our strategic partner. By working together we hope to increase the pool of talent and increase the number of appropriately digital skilled people delivering public services in Wales.

“We're confident that by working together, we'll be able to develop a modern public sector in Wales that delivers services people can access in a way which suits their needs.”

Established in 2009, Yolk works with clients across the UK in many sectors and has a dedicated public sector team. CDPS were looking for a company committed to meeting Net Zero goals by 2030, but also a good fit in terms of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Nici Jones is Director of Public Sector and Not-for-Profit at Yolk, she said:

“We’re proud to be supporting CDPS in their mission to deliver better public services. As a Wales-based company, we have particular insight into the challenges and skills shortages faced by recruiters here, especially in the digital sector.

The pandemic has disrupted traditional ways of doing business, and organisations are prioritising technology, digital, and data solutions to survive. More public sector organisations have recognised that data and digital tools, and the professionals that wield them, are a priority for improving customer access to services. As a result, people with the digital and technology expertise are highly sought-after, and a large challenge within the public sector is enticing talent from the private sector.

With our understanding of the local market and our extensive network of industry contacts, we are well-positioned to help CDPS and colleagues in the sector find the right talent to fill critical roles to overcome these hiring challenges.”

As CDPS and Yolk work together to facilitate the growth of digital talent, both organisations are keen for as many Welsh public sector organisations as possible to engage with them.

About CDPS

The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) is an arm’s length body of the Welsh Government. Set up 2020, its remit is to support the Welsh public sector to design and deliver better public services - services which meet the needs of those who use them.

Their strategic priorities:

• Influence the digital agenda for Wales
• Work with organisations to do things differently (so that digital modernisation approaches are adopted to make services better meet user need)
• Grow modern (DDaT) capability and skills in the public sector
• Embed standards and guidance
• Develop shared products and services

Please visit the CDPS website for more information.