New programming at Medicine Hat College this fall aims to assist employers and employees in maximizing benefits of data analysis.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat College is offering new programming this fall to help employers and their employees make the most of their data.
The Data Analytics for Business program, launching in the fall semester of this year, will teach employees not only how to interpret the data they already see within their careers, but also how to make decisions and communicate needed changes to their workplaces, said Morgan Blair, dean of business and continuing studies.
“The program is really designed for employed individuals. So people, like maybe mid-level managers who are already out there working,” said Blair. “But they find themselves seeing loads of data in their workplace, but they can’t really work with it yet, or really make it into something that allows them to enhance decision making.”
Courses in data literacy, strategic communications, marketing and social media analytics, and data analysis and visualization will enable students to influence the decisions made that could help the organization become more strategic in the future, said Blair.
Students will not be required to take time away from work, or even step foot on campus, instead receiving approximately 150 hours of online learning and 480 hours of on-the-job application over two semesters. The program actually requires current employment and a letter of support from their workplace, as it is tailored to meet career goals with the help of a Workforce Coach.
“They’ll work with the employer and the student who’s the employee at the outset to set some goals and figure out, OK, this employee is going to gain these skills on how to analyze your data, what are you hoping to get from that?” said Blair.
This has been a long time in the making, said Blair, with consultation in industry to create something that would meet demand within the region to help with skill enhancement in an increasingly vital area in modern workplaces.
“One of the other interesting features of it is that the employer would be eligible, if they support an employee going into this program, for the Canada Workforce Grant, which can pay for up to two thirds of the cost of the tuition,” said Blair. “So it makes the cost quite reasonable for most organizations as well.”
Interest was strong during the development phase of the program, said Blair, and she looks forward to seeing the first cohort of students sign up now that the eight-month certificate program is looking for students.
“We are excited to offer this valuable training to our region, recognizing that understanding data to support decision making is critical to the success of any organization, and ultimately to the prosperity of southeastern Alberta,” said Blair.
More information regarding the Data Analytics for Business program is available at mhc.ab.ca.
