Show me, help me, skill me: How Competency Centres are supporting upskilling in digital transformation
Oxford’s four Competency Centres empower people to harness the power of emerging technologies.
A part of Oxford’s Digital Transformation, each of the centres offers skills, resources and support in a specific area; AI and ML, Cloud Computing for Research, Cyber Security, and Workflow and Automation.
Staff across the University can access support from the centres without cost. Using a show me, help me, skill me framework, the centres help people discover, learn and embed new tools in their working life. Over 1000 people have received training from the centres. Competency Centre teams have given popular talks and met with thousands of colleagues at events across the Institution over the last 12 months.
AI and ML Competency Centre
Launched in May 2024, the newest Competency Centre helps people to embrace and effectively use AI and ML tools in higher education. The team have been working to bring together AI enthusiasts across the University, building a community of over 1200 AI users via Teams channels. The centre’s large-scale Generative AI Enterprise Pilot explores how premium versions of GenAI tools could assist colleagues in administrative, academic and research roles. In collaboration with Microsoft and OpenAI, over 700 colleagues from across all divisions and 94 departments including 12 colleges have been given licences for Microsoft 365 Copilot or ChatGPT Enterprise, becoming the largest trial of Copilot in the UK Higher Education sector. Following the successful adoption of these tools, you can now purchase licences for Microsoft 365 Copilot and ChatGPT Edu through the competency centre at a discounted price, and use them to process University data with confidence.
On top of this, the Competency Centre team has been working with groups across the University looking to explore the benefits of AI technology, including improving digitisation processes in the Ashmolean and Bodleian, and launching the AI Teaching and Learning Exploratory Fund. You can contact the centre if you have a project that may benefit from AI involvement.
Cloud Computing for Research Competency Centre
The Cloud Computing for Research Competency Centre helps researchers harness the power of cloud computing for their projects. Alongside supporting colleagues with one-to-one consultancy sessions, the centre has trained staff in cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and AWS. The team have built an inhouse cloud provider comparison tool to help researchers quickly identify the most cost-effective cloud provider, assisting with the scoping of their research projects. The centre offers end-to-end support working with researchers to create the cloud-based infrastructure they need for their projects. Associated processes which took hours to set up, manage and monitor, now take seconds. Contact the centre if you have a research project and would like to discuss how the team can help.
Cyber Security Competency Centre
The Cyber Security Competency Centre offers training and supports a community of cyber-aware staff to boost the University's cyber security network. 108 colleagues from all divisions, 62 departments and 11 colleges have now completed externally accredited training. The centre supports a growing community of practice with over 180 members and hosts termly events for colleagues to share best practice and network. Find out more and sign up for future trainings.
Workflow and Automation Competency Centre
The Workflow and Automation Competency Centre helps people save time and increase their productivity by reducing the burden of repetitive or manual tasks through automation tools. Consultancy sessions have been helping colleagues implement automation tools for specific tasks such as room management and leave booking. More in-depth issues can be improved with projects, where the centre team often work with colleagues from Focus to implement process improvements.
Automation can reduce errors, improve staff satisfaction, and we have seen it speed up work by six times. The team have been sharing practical advice on automation at popular talks, events and trainings, helping hundreds of colleagues learn more about the benefits of automation. Of those trained, 80% people who go on to build their own automations report saving between one to five days per week. Colleagues have used time saved for continuous improvement projects, and automation has been seen to bring work previously outsourced to external contractors, in-house. Discover more about how workflow and automation might be able to help you.
Find out what the Competency Centres can do for you.
