Digital Skills Education

What Digital Skills Education does

Digital Skills Education is a privately-held Scottish training company founded in 2017 by Craig Steele and Daniel Devine, headquartered in Edinburgh with delivery across Scotland and the UK. It designs and delivers short, jargon-free digital skills workshops for three principal audiences: workplace employees (cyber security, AI literacy, digital wellbeing, social media safety), adults aged 50+ (scam awareness and online safety), and young people and school pupils (Cyber Skills Live, generative AI shows, creative coding). Delivery channels include face-to-face sessions at client workplaces and community venues, synchronous online sessions via Microsoft Teams and Zoom, free live lessons with global reach (e.g., Defend Stirling Castle, which drew over 2,000 learners), and ticketed science-festival programming (Edinburgh Science Festival, BRAID Community Gathering). Customer-rated outcomes are strong at 4.85–4.91/5 across programmes, with over 150,000 pupils having participated in the award-winning Cyber Skills Live programme.

The company's core technology is a content and facilitation layer rather than a software product. The Cyber Skills Live platform (cyberskillslesson.com) hosts browser-based interactive cyber security games built on standard web technologies, complemented by P5.js-based creative coding workshops, YouTube video resources, and branded educational products including the Unbelievably Creative AI Show, the Exploring the AI Jungle children's book, and a Tech Club resource pack. There is no proprietary AI model, training pipeline, or SaaS product; the intellectual property sits in pedagogical design, scenario authoring, and a recognisable portfolio of branded learning experiences.

The business model is hybrid professional-services and grant-funded delivery. B2B revenue comes from bespoke, quote-based workplace training bookings (mostly short courses under 2 hours) with named enterprise clients including M&G plc, NHS Lothian, CalMac Ferries, ScotRail, the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland, and DXC Technology. A second stream comprises grant-funded public-sector delivery: the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit funds workshops for older adults, Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Union Learning underwrite workplace cyber resilience training, the AHRC BRAID programme funds the AI literacy shows and print resources (within a £15.9 million total award), and UKRI funds the University of Edinburgh's £117 million Responsible AI Centre for Doctoral Training in which the company is a delivery partner. The team operates as a small founder-led organisation — only four roles are publicly named — with no disclosed institutional investment, acquisitions, or material restructuring.

Name

Digital Skills Education

Legal name

Digital Skills Education

Website

https://digitalskillseducation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Digital Skills Education is a privately-held Scottish training firm founded in 2017 that designs and delivers short, jargon-free workshops on cyber security, AI literacy, and digital wellbeing for workplace employees, adults aged 50+, and young people across Scotland and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Skills Training and Education

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Learning Content Development (eLearning, Labs, Simulations) (BPAEANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF), Job Search & Workplace Digital Skills (EDAAAIAF)

Keywords

• Digital skills training
• Cyber security education
• AI literacy training
• Workplace digital training
• Interactive learning workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Workplace Training: The company designs and delivers custom digital skills training packages for employers and organisations. Training is booked directly by organisations and delivered face-to-face at client workplaces or online. Most short courses are under 2 hours. Pricing is quote-based per engagement.
2. Grant-Funded Public Sector Training: Funded by government bodies including the Scottish Government's Cyber Resilience Unit, Skills Development Scotland, and Scottish Union Learning. Digital Skills Education delivers free or subsidised cyber resilience workshops to specific target groups (older adults, workers, young people) as a grant recipient.
3. Science Festival and Event Programming: Revenue from delivering interactive shows and workshops at science festivals, conferences, and educational events (e.g., Edinburgh Science Festival, BRAID events). Some events are ticketed; others are funded through research council grants.
4. Research Council and Charitable Grants: Funded by grants from Arts and Humanities Research Council (BRAID project: £15.9 million total, with DSE receiving a portion), and partnerships with universities (University of Edinburgh's £117 million AI CDT investment) for educational programme delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Digital Skills Education designs and delivers bespoke digital skills training courses covering cyber security, AI literacy, digital wellbeing, data skills and social media safety. Training is delivered face-to-face at client workplaces or synchronously online via Microsoft Teams and Zoom, with short sessions typically under two hours. The company also operates the Cyber Skills Live interactive learning platform and produces science shows, creative coding workshops and educational publications for schools, families and older adults.

Product overview

Digital Skills Education offers a portfolio of digital skills training products and educational resources across Scotland. Their core offerings include Cyber Skills Live (interactive cyber security activities for schools), workplace digital skills courses (cyber security, AI literacy, digital wellbeing), courses for older people, and The Unbelievably Creative AI Show. They provide specialized courses including AI tools for youth workers, creative professional AI training, scam awareness, and digital detox programs. Supporting products include the Code Your Own Data Selfie workshop, Learning By Doing toolkit, Tech Club resources, and the Exploring the AI Jungle children's book. All courses are designed to be jargon-free, interactive, and accessible to non-technical learners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cyber Skills Live Interactive cyber security learning platform featuring browser-based games and lessons that bring cyber security, data, AI and coding to life for school pupils, including activities such as 'How to Rob a Bank' and 'Defend Stirling Castle'.
• Digital Skills Courses for Workplaces Short workplace training courses typically under 2 hours covering cyber security, AI literacy, digital wellbeing, data skills and professional social media use, delivered face-to-face at client sites or online via Microsoft Teams or Zoom and tailored per organisation.
• Digital Skills Courses for Older People Fun, jargon-free courses for adults aged 50+ covering online safety, social media use, AI apps such as ChatGPT and Copilot, and scam awareness, delivered in community venues across Scotland and rated 4.91/5 by over 450 learners.
• The Unbelievably Creative AI Show Interactive family science show exploring generative AI and creativity, challenging audiences to distinguish AI-generated art from human creativity; suitable for ages 10+ and delivered at science festivals and schools across the UK.
• AI Courses for Youth Workers and Educators Practical courses for youth workers and educators exploring ChatGPT, DALL-E and other AI tools, including ethical considerations and hands-on activities designed for use with young people.
• Boost Your Digital Wellbeing Course A 2-hour practical course helping learners establish healthier tech habits, manage notifications, data detox their phones and improve their relationship with technology, including phone relationship management and data privacy controls.
• AI Science Show for Schools Interactive school science show about Generative AI funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, demystifying AI technology and encouraging critical thinking about its benefits and risks, delivered with University of Edinburgh and Dynamic Earth.
• Exploring the AI Jungle Book Children's picture book introducing upper primary students to generative AI concepts through jungle metaphors, accompanied by a teacher's guide and read-along video.
• Spot and Avoid Online Scams Course Course covering social engineering, phishing attacks, scam website identification and VPN usage for secure connections, designed for organisations and community audiences.
• What Creative Professionals Need to Know About AI Course Full-day practical course for creative professionals covering generative AI tools including DALL-E, Gemini, Copilot and ChatGPT, intellectual property protection, bias in AI and ethical AI use in creative practice.
• Code Your Own Data Selfie Creative Coding Workshop Hands-on creative coding workshop where participants create self-portraits visualising their personal data using the P5.js JavaScript library, delivered at Edinburgh Science Festival and other venues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150,000 pupils have participated in Cyber Skills Live / Discover Cyber Programme
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Skills Development ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partner for digital skills programmes across Scotland. Co-developed the Cyber Skills Live / Discover Cyber Programme which has reached over 150,000 pupils. Also partnered on the Experiential Learning Toolkit and supported the Tech Club resources programme.
• Scottish Union LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven-year partnership to deliver cyber security and resilience training to workplaces across Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government's Cyber Resilience Unit in partnership with the UK government.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Responsible and Trustworthy AI (part of £117 million UKRI investment). Also a partner in BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides), Data Education in Schools, and the AI science show project with University of East Anglia and Dynamic Earth. The University provides academic credibility and research collaboration.
• YouthLink ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver AI training courses for youth workers across Scotland. YouthLink Scotland hosted the first courses in their Edinburgh headquarters and helped fund free places for youth workers and educators.
• University of Edinburgh (Data Education in Schools)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop and deliver data education resources for schools, including the 'Exploring the AI Jungle' children's picture book and teacher resources.
• Historic Environment ScotlandsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Defend Stirling Castle live lesson, providing expert commentary from Stirling Castle representatives and contributing to the blend of cyber security and Scottish heritage.
• RMT UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to deliver cyber security training to maritime (CalMac) and rail (ScotRail) apprentices. RMT Union facilitates access to their members and helps design relevant training content.
• Dynamic EarthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue and partner for the Unbelievably Creative AI Show at Edinburgh Science Festival. Provided the physical space and promotional support.
• The Data LabsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a trusted partner alongside other Scottish digital skills organisations. May provide data skills expertise and collaboration opportunities.
• Digital Xtra FundsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable initiative enabling extracurricular computing and digital activities for young people across Scotland. Listed as a partner with mutual collaboration on digital skills initiatives.
• University of East AngliasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on the BRAID-funded AI science show project, investigating how Generative AI might be used in school settings.
• Edinburgh Science FestivalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual platform for delivering public-facing digital skills and AI workshops and shows. DSE has delivered Code Your Own Data Selfie workshops and the Unbelievably Creative AI Show at Europe's largest science festival.
• Digital WorldminorOthersInvited DSE to participate in Scottish Careers Week activities, connecting them with over 1,000 pupils across Scotland for the 'How To Rob A Bank' ethical hacking activity.
• Data Skills for WorkminorOthersListed as a trusted partner on the DSE website, representing collaboration within the Scottish digital skills ecosystem.
• BRAID UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridging Responsible AI Divides - a £15.9 million AHRC-funded research collaboration. DSE's Unbelievably Creative AI Show is a flagship funded project. DSE presented findings at the BRAID Community Gathering at the Lowry.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Skillsoft: Large enterprise digital learning platform covering technology, leadership, and compliance including cyber awareness. Comparable as a competitor for enterprise digital skills contracts with multinational and public-sector buyers.
• SANS Institute: Global incumbent in cyber security training, certification, and research, with deep penetration of enterprise and government buyers. Comparable for the cyber education and awareness segment but at much larger scale and price point.
• Pluralsight: Technology skills platform serving enterprises and individuals across cloud, cyber, and software development. Comparable as an alternative for technical digital skills procurement by enterprise customers such as M&G and ScotRail.
• Codecademy: Online interactive platform teaching coding and digital skills to individuals and teams. Comparable in interactive learning methodology with DSE's Cyber Skills Live games and creative coding workshops.
• QA (QA Ltd): UK's largest provider of technical and digital training with deep public-sector and enterprise relationships. Directly comparable as a competitor for Scottish Government and corporate digital skills training budgets.

Direct peers

• Cybrary: Online cyber security and IT skills training platform serving professionals and teams globally. Comparable product overlap with DSE's cyber skills content and audience of working professionals seeking cyber upskilling.
• Generation: Global nonprofit delivering employer-driven digital and technology training for job seekers, including cyber security and digital literacy programmes. Comparable mission, funding model, and target audience of adult learners entering the workforce.
• KnowBe4: The leading security awareness training platform for enterprises, offering phishing simulations and cyber hygiene courses. Highly comparable as a direct competitor for DSE's workplace cyber resilience training contracts with M&G, ScotRail and NHS Lothian.

Regional players

• The Prince's Trust: UK youth charity running employability and digital skills programmes including a week-long cyber course delivered jointly with Ada College. DSE has directly partnered with this organisation, evidencing direct comparability in mission and target audience.

Emerging players

• CAPSLOCK: UK-based cyber security reskilling provider focused on career changers and adult learners, with similar mission-driven funding mix. Comparable audience overlap with DSE's adult learner segments and apprenticeship-focused cyber training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DigiSkillsEd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@digitalskillseducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digital-skills-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Digital Skills Education