What does it look like to build a long-term career in technology? For many, an employer who will genuinely invest in their development is essential to a lasting career. Not just at the start, but continuously as the digital landscape shifts and new skills become essential.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to be that employer. As part of Learning at Work Week, we hear from Craig James about what that commitment actually looks like in practice all year-round for DVLA’s Information Technology Services (ITS) directorate.
An ambitious vision for digital talent
DVLA has been building its digital capability for over a decade. Since bringing our IT function in-house in 2015, our ITS directorate has grown to more than 800 people across nine main professions. Our strategy is built on a commitment to inspire, attract, develop, and retain the best digital talent, ensuring our people have all the resources necessary to succeed.
To back that up, we make significant investments in learning and development for ITS staff each year. That covers everything from formal certifications in software development, cyber security and cloud services, to leadership training and soft skills development. Whatever stage you’re at in your career, there’s something here for you.
Learning that’s tailored for you
We know that everyone has their own learning style. Some prefer structured courses and recognised qualifications. Others want to explore at their own pace, picking up new skills as and when they need them.
That’s why we built the ITS learning library, a curated collection of resources that brings together multiple learning platforms. Available resources include access to Udemy and Pluralsight learning software, alongside a wider catalogue of courses and materials.
We currently have 500 active Udemy licenses, and in the past year our teams have spent more than 3,000 hours learning and accessed over 730 courses. Artificial Intelligence is this year’s top trending topic, while Python, Amazon Web Services, and Ruby on Rails are among the most popular courses, helping staff strengthen key skills that keep our services running smoothly.
Justin Hendy, Software Engineer, said: “I’ve used Udemy a lot. It’s very useful and there are so many courses available. As someone undertaking a mid-life career change, and with little to no software engineering experience, having free access to Udemy has been vital for my development. I don’t think I would’ve secured my permanent Software Engineer role without it.”
Whether you’re a software developer looking to move into cloud architecture, or someone curious about project delivery for the first time, you can find a learning path that fits your goals.
The library is not static, either. Our capability management team review the content regularly to make sure it stays relevant to the skills DVLA needs now and in the future. This means your learning is always connected to where DVLA is heading, not just where it’s been.
A clear learning pathway
Access to learning resources is only part of the picture. Knowing where you want to go and having a clear route to get there matters just as much. That’s where our career frameworks come in. For every job family within ITS, we’ve mapped out what each role involves, the skills and experience required, and the learning pathways
Stacey Harries, Capability Management Lead, said: “Career frameworks are about making opportunity visible. They help turn ambition into a plan by setting out what great looks like in each role, and how you can get there. What’s genuinely powerful and still relatively rare, is how transparent this is: clear expectations, clear pathways, and clear support, open to everyone. When used well, frameworks shift development conversations from ‘what’s next?’ to ‘how do I get there?’ Our aim is to give everyone in ITS the clarity and confidence to take ownership of their career. Your role. Your route. Your future.”
A career framework isn’t just a document you read once and file away. It’s designed to sit at the heart of conversations between you and your manager. It supports regular meaningful discussions about your development, your goals, and the support you need to achieve them.
Whether you want to deepen your expertise in your current specialism, move into a new area, or step up into a leadership role, career frameworks give you a clear picture of what that journey looks like. We want everyone in ITS to benefit from the agency’s ongoing commitment to supporting professional development.
Join DVLA Digital
If you’re considering a career in technology and wondering whether DVLA is the right place to grow, here’s what you need to know:
You’ll join a team of talented technology professionals, working on services that are used by millions of people across the UK. You’ll have access to exceptional learning platforms and a structured framework to guide your development. You’ll have a manager who’s equipped to support you, and a clear view of where your career can take you.
Most importantly, you’ll be part of an organisation that has made a clear, funded commitment to building digital capability for the long term. Not just because we know our services depend on it, but because we recognise the long-term value of investing in our people.
Learning at Work Week is a valuable opportunity to reflect on what learning at work really means. For us, it means more than a week of webinars or online courses. It means building an environment where growth is part of the job week in, week out.
If that sounds like somewhere you’d like to work, we’d love to hear from you.
