ScotlandIS Member Spotlight: INCO Academy
In this Member Spotlight we hear from new Academic member, INCO Academy, about the critical digital skills shortage, and on joining ScotlandIS to connect their diverse, job-ready graduates directly with local employers.
Who is INCO Academy and what do you do?
INCO Academy is bridging the digital divide. We provide fully-funded training and professional development programs in tech, digital, and sustainability for individuals facing barriers to employment. We equip underrepresented talents with technical mastery and soft skills in future-proof industries, launching them directly into sustainable digital careers.
Our Digital Certificates programme offers learners an opportunity to develop real-world skills in either Data Analytics or Cybersecurity through the Google Professional Certificate, hands-on projects, and live sessions with subject matter experts. At the same time, we help learners build a strong professional identity by developing soft skills like communication, digital readiness, and green literacy, and support their transition to the labour market through connections with employers, mentors, and opportunities.
Tell us something unique or interesting about your organisation.
INCO Academy is part of a larger organisation dedicated to building a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable economy. INCO is a world-leading social enterprise that works across several focus areas, including:
● INCO Academy, which offers fully-funded skilling and professional training opportunities
● INCO Entrepreneurs, a collection of incubation and acceleration programmes designed to support the next generation of founders and small businesses
● INCO Ventures, an impact investing arm that finances organisations and small businesses that directly address social and environmental challenges
● INCO Kids, which offers courses designed to equip school-age youth with life skills to help them navigate our world’s greatest transitions and build a more inclusive and planet-friendly society
What is your biggest achievement as an organisation?
We’re proud of every learner who graduates from our programmes: every graduate represents a step towards a more inclusive, equitable economy, and we’re proud to see our graduates move through their professional careers with confidence. Recently, we also released a report analysing how artificial intelligence is shaping the entry-level job market across Europe. We found that demand for AI literacy is higher than ever, yet workers are not receiving the training they need to succeed in a digital-first labour market – meaning that it’s more important than ever to offer digital skilling programs to close the AI skills gap.
What prompted you to become a member of ScotlandIS?
We joined ScotlandIS to integrate into Scotland’s vibrant tech ecosystem. It allows us to connect our diverse, job-ready graduates directly with local employers, addressing regional skills gaps while advocating for inclusive hiring practices that ensure the digital economy grows equitably.
What do you see as the main challenges for the tech industry in the UK and Scotland?
The critical challenge is a widening digital skills shortage paired with a lack of diversity. Traditional pipelines aren’t keeping pace with demand, and workers are missing the essential digital skills training that they need to meet employers’ expectations. Failing to tap into underrepresented talent pools will severely restrict the industry’s growth, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more at digitalcertificates@learning.inco-group.co or visit www.academy.inco-group.co.