Much has been made of data science in recent years, and how it will form a central aspect of the jobs of the future. It is part of the reason why the Explore Data Science Academy (EDSA) has a 12-month long learnership programme available locally, and as it so happens, registrations for the July intake has recently opened up.
The learnership kicks off on 1st July, with on-campus and online options available. EDSA explains that there are 400 spots available for the programme, adding that 150 of them will be allocated for sponsored learnerships, while the remaining 250 will need to be self-funded.
Those students going the self-funded route should know that the 12-month long course costs a total of R60 000, with the EDSA outlining a money-back promise should students who have completed the course not be hired in a position that earns R240 000 per year, six months after the programme ends.
“To date our cohort intakes have been in January only, but demand for data science skills and the calibre of candidates we select is such that we are now able to include a second cohort mid-year,” adds Shaun Dippnall, co-founder of the EDSA.
“We have 150 learners on our on-line course at the moment – these are typically employees in companies who want to upskill to turbo-charge their careers. We see a strong growth in these numbers as we appeal to a broader audience of learners,” he continues.
The organisation also points out that applications for the 12-month data science learnership are open to all.
Noting too, that applicants for the sponsored learnership should have a Matric certificate and be between 18 and 35 years old to qualify. They will also need to pass an online assessment and thereafter attend a data science bootcamp, as well as go in for an interview with EDSA faculty members.
“Our inclusive recruitment process is based on both attitude and aptitude and we select mainly from previously disadvantaged communities. In the 12-month data science learnership we teach critical, high-demand skills in a framework that includes problem-solving and teamwork as well as technical skills,” Dippnall concludes.
To find out more about the data science learnership, or any of the other courses available from the ESDA, head here.
