Across the UK, the demand for public sector tech modernisation is growing faster than ever. Government departments, the NHS, local authorities, and arm’s-length bodies are under pressure to deliver smarter, more efficient digital services.
Cloud-first strategies, stronger cybersecurity, responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and improved public services are no longer optional, they’re expected. At the same time, budgets are tightening, timelines are shortening, and accountability is increasing.
For many organisations, the instinctive response has been to hire externally to plug the gaps. But with a limited pool of skilled professionals and private sector employers offering more competitive salaries, recruitment alone is proving too slow and too expensive. The result is that digital programmes often stall, ambitions outpace delivery, and taxpayer money doesn’t achieve the transformation it should.
There is a better approach: building capability from within. By developing the workforce they already have with reskill and staff skills training, public sector organisations can unlock sustainable growth, retain critical institutional knowledge, and create a culture of resilience. In short, future-ready capability isn’t something to chase: it’s something to build.
> Why Hiring Alone Isn’t Enough
External hiring will always play a role in transformation. Specialist expertise, niche technical skills, and fresh perspectives can all add value. However, making hiring the only strategy introduces hidden risks:
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Delays in delivery – Recruitment processes can take months, slowing down critical digital programmes.
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Escalating costs – Hiring senior-level talent in a competitive market drives up costs, especially when agencies and contractors are involved.
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Knowledge gaps – New hires often lack familiarity with public sector systems, governance, and delivery models, leading to longer onboarding.
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Retention risks – Contractors and consultants may leave mid-project, creating disruption.
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No succession planning – Relying on external hires makes it harder to nurture future leaders from within.
These risks are becoming increasingly difficult to justify under the scrutiny of public accountability and shrinking budgets.
Forward-looking organisations are realising that a balanced approach, combining targeted recruitment with workforce development, is essential to achieve sustainable results.
> The Untapped Advantage Within the Public Sector
The public sector already has a powerful, but often overlooked, resource: its own workforce. Across government departments and agencies are thousands of employees who understand how public service works. They know the systems, the governance structures, the stakeholders, and the service delivery models.
What many of these employees lack is exposure to modern digital skills and practices. That gap is exactly where the opportunity lies. By investing in their growth through reskilling and upskilling, organisations can fill capability gaps faster, retain critical knowledge, and build long-term resilience.
This approach is one of the most effective tech solutions for public sector transformation, especially in high-demand areas such as:
By equipping existing employees with modern skills, departments can:
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Mobilise quickly by using staff already embedded in the organisation
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Reduce dependency on external vendors and contractors
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Improve morale and engagement by investing in their people
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Foster a culture of adaptability and continuous learning
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Develop future leaders who understand both technology and public service
With digital demands only increasing, unlocking this internal potential is not just smart, it’s necessary.
> How mthree Supports Public Sector Tech Capability
At mthree, we help organisations accelerate tech public sector capability by focusing on people. Our approach combines reskilling and upskilling to create long-lasting impact.
Reskilling Programmes for Career Pivots
We partner with departments to identify employees in non-technical roles who have the aptitude and interest to move into digital careers.
Through immersive training, they gain the technical and practical skills needed to take on roles such as:
Training is hands-on, context-specific, and aligned with the realities of public sector environments. By opening career pathways, organisations can both fill immediate gaps and strengthen workforce retention.
Upskilling Existing Tech Teams
For employees already in technical roles, we provide advanced upskilling pathways tailored to organisational goals. These include:
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Cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
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Agile and DevOps methodologies
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Cybersecurity aligned with GovAssure requirements
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AI readiness and ethical data use
We collaborate closely with departments to ensure training outcomes directly support strategic objectives, whether that’s accelerating cloud migration or enhancing digital service security.
> The Future Is Built, Not Bought
The UK government’s Transforming for a Digital Future roadmap sets out ambitious goals: modernising legacy IT, scaling digital services, and creating a world-class workforce. Meeting those objectives requires a mindset shift. Transformation can’t be achieved by endlessly chasing external hires. It must be built from the inside out.
By investing in internal capability, organisations can achieve:
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Faster digital delivery
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More efficient use of taxpayer money
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A motivated, resilient workforce
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Long-term leadership and succession planning
At mthree, we believe that public sector tech modernisation is best achieved through a blended approach, combining external expertise where necessary with strong investment in the people already on the inside.
This is how public sector organisations can move from skills shortages to sustainable capability, ensuring digital ambitions translate into real outcomes.
> Ready to Build Your Future Workforce?
If your department or agency is grappling with tech hiring challenges, it’s time to rethink the approach. With mthree, you don’t just fill roles, you build resilient, future-ready teams equipped for the demands of digital transformation.
Find out more about our reskill and public sector offerings today.
