Data Analytics Training Programme for Commissioners in North Devon
The Curious Academy's Data Analytics programme is an in-person training programme, delivered in North Devon, that teaches adults to clean, analyse and present data using SQL, spreadsheets and interactive dashboards. It runs for 12 weeks in small cohorts, led by tutors with industry experience. Councils, funders and employers commission it to help people move into data-related work and to build data skills in local organisations.
Programme at a glance
| Length | 12 weeks |
|---|---|
| Delivery | In person, two sessions a week, 3 hours each |
| Location | Community venues in North Devon, agreed with the commissioner |
| Cohort size | 8–12 participants |
| Entry requirements | None; basic computer use only |
| Tools | SQL, spreadsheets, Python and Tableau |
| Participants finish with | A completed data project for their portfolio |
| Reporting | Attendance, completion, progression and six-month outcomes |
Why fund data skills
Almost every organisation now collects data, and many lack people who can use it well. Data skills open routes into analyst and reporting roles and make existing staff more effective in operations, marketing, finance and management. This programme gives participants a practical, job-ready foundation without needing a degree or previous technical experience.
Who the programme serves
Unemployed or economically inactive adults looking for new career routes
People changing career, including those returning to work
Employees in local organisations who need stronger data skills
Small business owners who want to understand sales, customers and costsOur most successful students come from diverse backgrounds – administration, finance, marketing, operations, customer service, and many others – but share a common interest in working with data and a commitment to the twice-weekly schedule over 12 weeks.
What participants learn
Data foundations: how organisations collect and store data, and the questions it can answer
Cleaning data: finding and fixing errors, gaps and duplicates
SQL: writing queries to pull, filter and combine data
Spreadsheet analysis: formulas, pivot tables and checks
Dashboards: building interactive dashboards that update as data changes
Communicating findings: turning analysis into clear recommendations
AI for analysis: using AI tools responsibly to speed up routine work
Outcomes you can expect
Participants complete a portfolio-ready data project
Progression into data, reporting and analyst roles, or into further study
Stronger data capability in employers whose staff take part
Questions from commissioners
Can the programme be adapted for a particular group?
Yes. We can adjust pace, examples and support for groups such as young adults, career changers, or staff from a single sector or employer.
What prior experience do participants need?
Success in this course requires comfortable spreadsheet skills as a foundation. This is not an introduction to spreadsheets – we'll be building on existing knowledge to develop professional data analytics capabilities.
They should already be comfortable with:
Creating and modifying formulas, including functions like VLOOKUP, IF statements, and text manipulation
Working confidently with multiple worksheets and relatively large datasets
Creating basic charts and visualisations to represent data
Using PivotTables to summarise and explore data relationships
How do you recruit participants?
We work with you and local partners, including employment services, community organisations and employers, to reach and enrol the right people.
What do you report on?
Attendance, completion, participant feedback and outcomes such as employment, progression and further learning. We can align reporting to your funder's requirements.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on cohort size, length and venue. We'll provide an itemised proposal after our first conversation.
Where This Course Can Take A Participant?
The demand for data skills spans virtually every industry. Graduates of our Data Analytics course have moved into roles including:
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Reporting Analyst
Marketing Analyst
Operations Analyst
Finance Analyst
Sales Analyst
Customer Insight Analyst
