The UK has a rich and varied research data landscape, and central to this are the staff who manage data services for researchers. As the complexity of data sources and delivery mechanisms has grown, so has the range of skills and expertise that data service professionals need. However, data service professionals can often fall between two stools - not-quite academic researchers, not-quite university support staff. As a result, there is a noticeable gap in comprehensive training and career development pathways for these professionals, leading to issues like high turnover, limited diversity, and a lack of clear career progression. The current Future Data Services project has, over the last two years, collected extensive evidence for how the lack of clear and effective support mechanisms are limiting the potential of UK data services. This project aims to revolutionize the training and development landscape for data services staff. It addresses critical issues such as skill mapping, training curriculum development, recruitment and staff induction strategies, and the establishment of a supportive network. The project combines desk research, feasibility studies, and co-design and production in collaboration with data services. The research phase includes a review of HR literature, competency frameworks, and existing practices within data services. Feasibility studies will test trial concepts for each deliverable, ensuring they are practical and effective. Finally, co-design and production activities will involve developing frameworks, curricula, and kits in real-world environments, with continuous feedback and iteration. Specifically, the project will deliver A skills framework which maps the jobs roles at different levels to the training and expertise they require A curriculum for data service managers to see what their current staff skill set is, and where they may need to invest in training and development to ensure sufficient capacity to cover activities, as well as giving career progression opportunities to staff Guidance for HR processes can use these frameworks for job recruitment and advertising, induction, and career planning A network of engaged professionals in data services to provide a forum for discussion s and sense-check within the project, and a basis for continuing development of ideas post-project Together, these deliverables will help staff to see how their current role in a wider context, including progression opportunities, giving them both greater security and a positive roadmap for personal development Improve recruitment and retention strategies by making the characteristics of a role clearer and common across organisations Help to identify gaps in training provision in the UK, and provide evidence of the demand for training Encourage the development of cross-organisation support networks, potentially including secondments Short-term outcomes include updating recruitment methodologies, enhanced recruitment and induction processes, and support for inclusive workforce strategies. Long-term outcomes involve fostering a diverse and representative workforce, improving staff retention, and establishing clear career pathways and development opportunities across data services. The project team comprises a mix of academics, HR experts, and data service professionals with extensive experience in research, training, and service management. Leveraging their collective expertise, the team is well-equipped to deliver on the project's objectives and drive meaningful change within the data services sector. Overall, the project represents a timely and comprehensive initiative to address critical training and development needs within UK data services, ultimately contributing to the sector's growth, sustainability, and effectiveness in supporting data-driven research and decision-making.