The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has today (2 September) announced the launch of the online Data Analytics Career Accelerator, developed in partnership with digital education firm FourthRev.
Informed by insights from global tech companies and employers, the accelerator delivers an immersive, project-based, and fully online learning experience, accessible to students all over the world. The programme is designed to equip learners with the technical and analytical abilities, as well as the ‘soft skills’ required to either launch or advance a career digital fields. It allows candidates to build a strong online project portfolio, on top of offering job-matching support, to help graduates secure employment within the data sector.
The Data Analytics Career Accelerator opens for enrolment this month (September 2021), with the first cohort commencing their studies in February 2022. The curriculum covers in-demand technical disciplines such as data analysis, visualisation and programming, as well as more ‘human’ or ‘soft’ skills such as problem-solving, influencing and critical reflection.
The programme has been developed by LSE’s reputed departments of statistics and methodology in partnership with global data analytics companies, such as Tableau. It includes virtual projects with employer partners and job-matching assistance from recruitment specialists, such as Robert Walters.
“Supporting alumni and professionals to refresh and adapt their knowledge and skills throughout their evolving careers is important to us” – Professor Pauline Barrieu, LSE
Full programme details will be released when enrolment commences, but it has been designed to teach learners to:
- Conduct descriptive analytics to prepare reports and insights to support business decision-making
- Prepare advanced data visualisations and data stories to communicate compelling, guided narratives to key business stakeholders
- Acquire large amounts of complex data from multiple sources and complete advanced analytical processes using popular analytical tools
- Apply predictive models to transform insights into actionable strategies
- Collaborate in solving business problems and justify strategic recommendations that leverage best practice and advanced data-analytic approaches
- Build practical experience with critical, sought-after analytics tools, including: Excel, SQL databases, postgres, Python, R, and Tableau
On the launch of the accelerator, Professor Pauline Barrieu, academic director of online programmes at LSE, commented: “Supporting alumni and professionals to refresh and adapt their knowledge and skills throughout their evolving careers is important to us. We are excited to be working with FourthRev to deliver the Data Analytics Career Accelerator and hope to empower more people from varied backgrounds to advance in this fast-growing field.”
While the programme is open to all, both LSE and FourthRev expect it to appeal most to people looking to fast-track their professional development while still in work, or people looking to switch careers entirely into the digital tech field. FourthRev intends to launch additional career accelerators alongside LSE, as well as other universities and international companies throughout the year.
Mark Lester, chief partnerships officer at FourthRev, told ET. “This course is the first of its kind and we believe this new holistic approach will play a vital role in delivering career-driven education for the digital economy. Building this course with LSE, Tableau and Robert Walters, who are world leaders in their fields, means that learners can be confident that not only will they receive a top class and job-focused education, but they will also be equipped with the critical thinking, communication and reflection skills needed to succeed and adapt over the longer term.”
For more information on the launch of the Data Analytics Career Accelerator, click here.
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