Charity pivots to community-based learning model, backed by Scottish Government and industry, to ensure equitable access to crucial digital skills for young people.
A significant strategic shift is underway at Digital Xtra, a Scottish charity dedicated to boosting digital literacy among young people. Moving beyond its decade-long grants programme, the organisation is now focused on establishing a nationwide network of community coding and artificial intelligence (AI) hubs across Scotland. This new initiative, known as the ‘Code Xtra’ strategy, aims to address the persistent digital skills gap and ensure more equitable access to vital digital education for the nation’s youth.
For ten years, Digital Xtra, with support from the Scottish Government and various industry partners, has invested over £1.1 million through its annual grants. This funding has fostered 210 grassroots initiatives, engaging more than 60,000 young people in extracurricular computing activities. However, the charity identified that despite these efforts, access to crucial learning opportunities remained inconsistent across the country, often resembling a “postcode lottery.”
The urgency for such interventions is underscored by a critical and widening digital skills gap in Scotland. Approximately 15% of Scotland’s adult population lacks foundational digital skills, which include basic tasks like turning on a device or connecting to the internet. This figure is consistent with broader UK trends, where over half of working-age adults lack essential digital skills for work. Furthermore, a striking 70% of Scottish employers report shortages in critical digital proficiencies, particularly in rapidly evolving areas like AI and cloud technologies. This deficit is already impacting productivity for three-quarters (74%) of businesses and is anticipated to hinder organisational agility in the future. The economic consequences are substantial, with skills shortages estimated to cost the Scottish economy over £527 million annually. Scotland’s technology sector, a vital contributor, generates an estimated £6.87 billion in gross value added (GVA) and supports around 100,000 jobs. This sector faces an annual demand for roughly 15,600 new digital technology roles. Projections also suggest that almost a fifth (18%) of Scottish job roles, impacting nearly 476,000 employees, could significantly alter or become redundant due to new technology within the next five years. In fact, over half of Scottish businesses (54%) plan to increase investment in AI skills in the coming year, recognising its increasing importance for competitiveness.
The new community hubs are designed to directly address these disparities by fostering the growth of local computing clubs. The initial phase of the project, backed by the Scottish Government, will see hubs established in North Edinburgh (Muirhouse Library), Midlothian (Dalkeith Library), Inverclyde (Creative Regeneration), and Moray (Elgin Library), with further locations anticipated later in the year.
Each hub will operate on three core principles:
- Delivery: Hosting high-quality, extracurricular coding and AI sessions for children and young people.
- Training: Providing instruction and guidance for local educators and community leaders.
- Resources: Functioning as a lending library, offering equipment and learning materials to local schools and community groups.
A notable feature of these hubs will be the integration of LEGO Education’s new curriculum-aligned Computing Science & AI kits, which began shipping in April 2026. These kits are specifically designed for K-8 classrooms (ages 5-11+) to teach age-appropriate lessons in foundational coding, computational thinking, and machine learning through hands-on, collaborative activities, moving away from individual screen-led learning. Digital Xtra is among the first organisations in Scotland to make this cutting-edge equipment publicly available, marking the charity’s formal expansion into machine learning and AI education. Ongoing training and support for these programmes will be provided by Digital Xtra, Raising Robots, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, alongside other educational and industry partners.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation, a prominent UK-based charity, shares a similar mission of empowering young people through computing and digital technologies. Its vision is to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use computers and advanced technologies like AI to solve problems and express themselves creatively. The foundation has reached millions globally through affordable technology and open resources, operating a vast network of volunteer-led coding clubs and providing free educational materials.
Kraig Brown, Digital Xtra’s Partnerships and Development Manager, emphasised the evolving necessity of such programmes in a rapidly changing technological landscape. “Technology is evolving faster than ever, and extracurricular tech activities are no longer just ‘nice-to-have’ – they are now a key part of young people’s learning journey,” he stated. Brown added that these informal settings allow young people the freedom to think creatively and build ‘STEM Capital’ without the pressure of assessment, making them effective in reaching those who may disengage in traditional classroom environments. Addressing the regional disparities that the ‘Code Xtra’ strategy seeks to overcome, he remarked: “However, access to grassroots computing initiatives in Scotland is often a postcode lottery with varying coverage and support. This is unacceptable. Digital Xtra will continue to champion extracurricular computing initiatives for young people through our new community coding & AI hubs network, which will create a more joined-up approach to informal digital learning.”
The Scottish Government’s commitment to enhancing digital capabilities is enshrined in its refreshed Digital Strategy for Scotland, published in November 2025. This comprehensive strategy, developed jointly with local government, aims to leverage technology and data for public sector transformation, economic growth, and improved services, stressing the importance of equipping all citizens, particularly young people, with essential digital skills. The strategy also acknowledges the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its implications for public service reform, committing to the ethical use of AI to protect privacy and build trust.
Minister for Business Tom Arthur reiterated the government’s support for the initiative. “Digital skills are essential for Scotland’s future, and every young person should have the opportunity to develop them, regardless of where they live, which is why I am proud to support this initiative,” he stated. He concluded: “These new community coding and AI hubs will help more young people access high-quality learning opportunities, build confidence with technology and gain the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Beyond government backing, the initiative benefits from significant industry partnerships, including Skyscanner, Baillie Gifford, and Cirrus Logic, who are committed to fostering future talent and addressing the digital skills gap that impacts their sectors. Baillie Gifford has supported Digital Xtra since 2018, contributing to meaningful grassroots tech activities for young people, and is a “Terabyte Partner” for the 2025/26 grant cycles. Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site, has previously demonstrated its commitment to tech education through substantial donations to Digital Xtra and support for coding initiatives for underrepresented groups. Cirrus Logic also actively supports STEM education and youth programmes. Digital Xtra actively seeks additional corporate partners to further expand the network and provide more opportunities for young Scots to acquire these vital skills.
Suggested Headline:
Digital Xtra Rolls Out National Coding and AI Hub Network to Combat Scotland’s Skills Gap
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