Courses:
Data analysis skills are increasingly in demand as more businesses seek to improve operations and drive results by harnessing data to inform decision-making. Gain critical competencies in data science with data analysis or business analytics online course, and receive a certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
As businesses produce more and more data in the digital age, the need to analyse and interpret this quantitative information is increasing. Professionals with data-analysis skills are invaluable, as they can extract meaningful insights from structured and unstructured data collected by companies. To thrive in this profession, you’ll need to learn the fundamentals of data analysis, including how data is captured, stored, and accessed, how to communicate with databases through Structured Query Language (SQL), and how to visualise data using programs such as Microsoft Excel or Tableau.
If you already have a grasp of SQL and want to take the next step in your data-science journey, skills in Python are important for any aspiring data scientist. Python is one of the most widely used programming languages and is popular among some of the world’s largest data-based organisations because it is easy to learn, simple to use, and clear to read. Understanding Python for data analysis can help you move beyond the basics towards the exciting fields of machine learning, neural networks, and unsupervised learning. Working with this language requires a grasp of Jupyter Notebook and Python libraries, such as scikit-learn, pandas, and matplotlib. With these skills, you can then gather trends from data to inform effective strategies and solve business challenges.
After all, that is the core benefit of data analysis: with a foundation in this field comes the ability to use data and analytical models to inform business decisions. Business leaders who understand the value of data can apply analytics to address a range of business needs in finance, sales, marketing, operations, and human resource management. In a business context, managers with qualifications in data science can drive change and profitability by harnessing actionable insights through analytics and communicating findings to stakeholders using visualisation tools like Tableau. As traditional business roles become more complex and fluid, there is a growing need for professionals who are as comfortable with analysing data as they communicate results to shape business strategies.
Similarly, as the use of data and information technology (IT) grows, so does the need for professionals who can use both business and technological tools to evaluate systems. Known as business systems analysts, individuals in this profession can effectively bridge the gap between IT and leadership teams. They play a fundamental part in transforming an organisation's operations and profitability by creating more efficient processes and facilitating change by designing and implementing improved IT systems.
Learn to leverage the power of technology with an online short course in data analysis or business analytics. Whether you are an experienced data analyst or entering the field for the first time, gain up-to-date skills in data science and play a key role in making data-driven decisions for your business or organisation.