Another State Data Lake Training Cycle Completed
Another State Data Lake training cycle has been completed at the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania). Over the past year, 45 training sessions and live consultation events were organized for public sector representatives to strengthen their skills in data use, analysis, integration, and visualization.
These training sessions were designed for specialists from public institutions who work with data on a daily basis, prepare analyses, plan activities, or make evidence-based decisions. During the training, participants not only learned about the capabilities of the State Data Lake but also gained hands-on experience with modern tools that help process and analyze data more efficiently and apply them in everyday work.
Participants were introduced to the principles of the State Data Lake, data integration and transformation, ontology development, data visualization, municipal analytics, and the practical application of data in institutional activities.
Practical Knowledge – From Fundamentals to Advanced Tools
One of the regular training tracks was “Introduction to Lake Data”. Participants were introduced to the structure of the State Data Lake, its main data sources, and the possibilities for using them. The training helped participants better understand how data from different registers and information systems can be used for analysis, planning, and decision-making.
A strong emphasis was placed on practical tools. During “Pipeline Builder” training sessions, participants learned how to create data integration and transformation workflows. This tool enables users to perform common data processing tasks, such as filtering, joining, and aggregating data, changing field types, and preparing data for further analysis, without requiring programming knowledge.
The “Ontology” and “Workshop” training sessions were designed for advanced users. Participants learned how to create semantic data structures, define objects, their attributes and relationships, and develop practical tools for data use. Such solutions help institutions interpret data consistently, reduce the risk of misinterpretation, and make more effective use of available data.
Data Analysis and Visualization
An important part of the training season was dedicated to working with the “Contour” tool. Participants learned how to view, analyze, and visualize data, as well as how to filter, group, and join datasets, and create simple reports and dashboards.
The “Contour” training sessions were tailored to participants with different levels of experience: from beginners to users already familiar with the tool, as well as advanced users. This allowed each participant to choose the most suitable learning path and progressively develop their practical data analysis skills.
Focus on Municipalities and Practical Consultations
The training programme also included “Municipal DataLab” training sessions designed for municipal specialists who work with data and are looking for more convenient ways to analyze information related to education, infrastructure, residents, vulnerable population groups, and other issues relevant to local government.
“Municipal DataLab” provides access to multiple government data sources within a single environment, enabling users to leverage data for evidence-based decision-making. During the training, participants learned not only how to access information, but also how to interpret it, compare indicators, and apply analytical results to specific municipal challenges and situations.
In addition to thematic training sessions, the Agency also provided live consultations. These consultations gave participants the opportunity to ask specific questions, discuss practical challenges, and work together with the Agency’s experts to identify the most appropriate solutions for their day-to-day work needs.
Training that Strengthens a Data-Driven Culture
The objective of the State Data Lake training programme is not only to introduce tools, but also to foster a data-driven culture across the public sector. These practical sessions help public-sector specialists better understand the value of data, conduct analyses more independently, and make decisions based on reliable evidence.
The training cycle demonstrated that the need to strengthen data competencies within the public sector remains high. Participants showed strong interest in both the core capabilities of the State Data Lake and more advanced tools that enable process automation, data visualization, and more efficient information management.
We would like to thank all training participants for their active engagement, insightful questions, and commitment to improving their data skills and contributing to the development of a stronger data-driven decision-making culture in the public sector.