Government Statistician Group (GSG) – Foundation course

Open to
New members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG)
Training category
Government Statistician Group
Type of training
Online
Length
2 days
Organiser
Analysis Function Capability Team
Provider
Analysis Function Central Team
Location
Online

Please note this course is currently under review.

You can use the training and guidance on this page while the training course is being reviewed. The training and guidance explore the most important principles used in all aspects of the production and dissemination of official statistics. Topics are introduced through e-learning and guidance material.

This course follows on from the Government Statistician Group (GSG) Induction course. It explores the main principles used in all aspects of the production and dissemination of official statistics.

Topics will be introduced with some presentations, but most of your learning will take place through activities, case studies, and discussions that draw on participants’ own experiences, knowledge, and views.

The course covers the following broad topic areas:

  • the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) — we use this as a broad framework for thinking about the different activities statisticians in government undertake in their day to day work and how they fit together
  • statistical quality — what it means and how we measure it
  • assessing and meeting user needs
  • data sources
  • concepts and harmonisation
  • data ethics and disclosure control
  • quality assurance
  • estimating from data
  • models, modelling and machine learning
  • time series
  • index numbers and index measures
  • writing about statistics and quality
  • innovation in reporting statistics
  • the role of the professional statistician

Who this course is for

This course is intended for:

  • Fast Stream Assistant Statisticians
  • Statistical Officers
  • Data Scientists
  • anyone else recruited to the GSG

You should have been in your role for between 6 and 18 months to take part in this course. You should be automatically invited to attend.

Learning outcomes

On this course you will develop your professional network of other members of the statistics profession. You will also learn more about the main topics that will help you establish your position in your profession and support your career progress.

How to book

You should be invited to attend this course 6 to 18 months after you join the GSG.

Contact

If you would like more information about this course, please email Data.Science.Campus.Faculty@ons.gov.uk.

Related courses

Government Statistician Group (GSG) – Induction course

Career checkpoint course

Learning resources

The statistics production process

You can find out more about the statistics production process in the Guidance on the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM). We use this as a broad framework for thinking about the different activities statisticians in government undertake in their day-to-day work and how they fit together.

Statistical quality

Assessing and meeting user needs

Data ethics

Estimating from data

Statistical models, modelling and machine learning

Time series and seasonable adjustment

Index numbers and index measures

Writing about statistics and quality

Learning outcomes

This learning is designed to:

  • further develop your professional network of other members of the statistics profession
  • give you the opportunity to learn more about the important topics that will help you consolidate your position in your profession and support your career progress