Am I too old to learn data science?

"Am I too old to learn data science?" - this was a question a member of the audience asked me at the DataFest #OurPeople event in September as I launched The Data Lab community.

I think the audience member perceived that it was mainly young university or college graduates that are entering the field, and perhaps had a fear that the older you get, the less attractive you are to employers, even if you reskill.

My response to the question at the time was "no!" and I shared a case study example.?I firmly believe that to move forward on equality, diversity and inclusion in data and tech, we need continue to create and accelerate the opportunities for people from different backgrounds and lived experiences to enable them to start and advance their journeys.?This blog expands on my short answer at the event and shares a variety of examples and opportunities in Scotland that may help if you are considering transitioning into a career in data - and many are recruiting learners now!

The Data Lab Masters programme

The Data Lab MSc is a collaborative programme between The Data Lab and 12 Scottish universities. It facilitates industry involvement and collaboration, and provides funding (full & part time) and resources to students. Some great stories from the alumni include:

• Debbie Maltman, who used the scholarship to retrain in data science following redundancy from a 14 year career in Finance, took a student placement at Volunteer Scotland, graduated with an MSc in Data Science for Business (with Distinction!) at University of Stirling and secured a permanent role with Volunteer Scotland. Debbie shared her story at an event hosted by The Data Lab at The Scottish Parliament.
• Natalie Pollack, who used the scholarship to study part time, enabling her to have the flexibility she wanted as a mother with a young child to care for, following redundancy from a 10 year career in another industry. Natalie took a placement in Public Health Scotland (PHS) and after graduating in 2019 started working full time at PHS as an Information Analyst providing assistance to health and social care partnerships and GPs across Scotland
• Raymond Martin, who used the scholarship to study part-time and upskill in his existing role. Raymond graduated with an MSc in Data Science at Edinburgh Napier University and this enabled him to progress significantly in his field. Read Raymond's post: Why firms should support extra learning post-Covid - The Data Lab

If you are inspired by these stories, there are a number of funded places still available for starting 2021/22 including full and part time options. Take a look at the opportunities on our website. The Data Lab MSc - Where to study - The Data Lab

Data Skills for Work programme

The Data Skills for Work (DSW) programme is a collaboration between the Data Driven Innovation programme at University of Edinburgh, the City Region Deal for Edinburgh & South East Scotland, The Data Lab, and a number of training suppliers including Code Division, CodeClan, The DataKirk and local colleges and universities, all of whom are offering short upskilling courses in data and analytics for adult learners. Through DSW, learners meeting target criteria including those at risk of redundancy, women returners, BAME and disabled workers, can access funding to upskill with these providers by claiming Data Skills Credits, which help break down financial barriers to learning while diversifying data talent in the city region.

There are great case studies from the Professional Development Award (PDA) delivered by Code Division and enabled by the DSW programme, with data projects investigating issues or obstacles to girls & women accessing traditional routes into tech and evaluating the effective promotion of cycling as a viable means of transport could reduce a city’s fossil fuel emissions by 2030. Beatriz Lázaro, one of the participants said:

?“I’d say to anyone thinking of joining that every particular case is different but, no matter your background, re-skilling in data analysis AND in these useful soft skills will really help you in any career path you want to go for, so it’s definitely worth it.”

The fund for individuals will re-open in October, sign up to their mailing list to be the first to know and have a look at courses on offer through their Skills Portal.

If you are an employer in in East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian, the Scottish Borders or Fife, grants of up to ￡5k are currently available to upskill your workforce. Watch this interview with Auticon who received Data Skills Credits funding to upskill four employees. The current employer funding call is open until 8 October, apply through the DSW website.

CodeClan

CodeClan is Scotland's digital skills and coding academy and they run a number of data analysis courses from a 1 day data visualisation course through to a full time 70 day Professional Data Analysis course to "transform and future-proof your career by getting the skills and knowledge to become a professional data analyst". View the full course list here. Some inspirational stories from alumni include:

• ?Graham Angus, a personal trainer who upskilled in data during the pandemic and is now a Data Analyst at TravelTek Ltd: https://codeclan.com/blog/where-do-you-see-yourself-in-the-future/?

"I would tell my past self that self-doubt is natural and a sign that you are doing something challenging, so try and get comfortable with it." - Graham Angus, CodeClan Graduate

• Jack Ogilvie-Richards, a maths graduate who was on a zero hours contract and is now an Analyst at Dufrain:?https://codeclan.com/blog/from-zero-hour-contract-to-career-in-data/?

"Marketing myself right was critical and LinkedIn is the best platform to do so. It is all about making connections and building your network really." - Jack Ogilvie-Richards, CodeClan Graduate

• Stewart Donaldson, who was made redundant from his marketing role, upskilled in data and went back into marketing using his new data skills at PawPrint:?https://codeclan.com/blog/transforming-into-a-next-gen-marketer-stewart-donaldson/?

"It was great to have a set of instructors who could help clarify everything and the teaching really helped me get a firm grasp on concepts of programming which I couldn’t get as easily on YouTube." - Stewart Donaldson, CodeClan graduate

The DataKirk

The DataKirk is a data literacy and analytics club in Edinburgh providing a hands-on environment for people to get curious,?creative, and ultimately, confident with data. A delivery partner on the Data Skills for Work programme, the team also deliver a number of courses, clubs and events to a range of ages groups from black, asian and minority ethic groups (BAME).

The second cohort of their BAMELYTICS course starts Thursday 28th October at 6.30pm. This is a 15 week data upskilling course aimed at BAME parents from both migratory and lower socio-economic backgrounds whose employment or income has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an employability pilot project run in conjunction with City Capital Partnership and you can register here.

In the first cohort of BAMELYTICS that ended in May 2021, the DataKirk supported learners with life skills, mentoring and employability events to remove barriers, increase confidence, understand data career opportunities and enhance learners marketability. Outcomes from the first cohort of BAMELYTICS includes a learner gaining a data analyst with a bank in Edinburgh and another gaining promotion at work. Additionally, several learners passed data assessments tests and were interviewed for information analyst roles at a government institutions in Scotland.

South of Scotland Digital Skills Hub

Dumfries and Galloway College and Borders College are working in partnership to establish a Digital Skills Hub in the south of Scotland to provide upskilling and retraining opportunities in digital skills for people within key sectors of the region’s economy. The goal for the hub is to facilitate the development of higher-level digital skills and build a digitally active workforce to help the region to become more competitive for the future.

They currently offer courses in Python and a National Progression Award in Data Citizenship & Data Science for adults who are unemployed and those returning to the workplace.

Data Skills Workforce Development

Delivered by the Bayes Education centre at the University of Edinburgh, this portfolio of standalone courses aims to provide the tools to upskill and reskill in the field of digital data. The aim of this provision of online and blended (where possible) delivery is to make learning as accessible as possible to the broadest range of students, to those who are distanced from learning and/or the labour market. The ‘byte’ size offering enables a stepped approach which could ultimately lead to learners accessing advanced courses and further education. Find out more and sign up to their mail list on their website.

The Data Lab Community

We created The Data Lab Community to enable the hundreds of people who want to help others in the data and AI field to connect with those who seeking help. Whilst sharing the opportunities and stories above is vitally important, connecting to others with a similar lived experience can provide crucial insight to making a decision on your future direction. The community enables you to find, connect to and learn from others who have considered and taken a similar path - access if free and you can sign up here.

Experience is an asset

It's never too late to start your career in data, indeed your experience in previous employment, regardless of the role or industry, is a strength and an asset that new entrants don't yet have. Many employers biggest challenges are hiring people with the "human" skills that complement technical ability, for example the skills to communicate and collaborate effectively in the working environment. So lean into your life experience, learn more about the opportunities above, reach out to others who have taken the path and start your data journey!

If you are part of an organisation in Scotland working in this area I haven't listed, or have your own personal learning journey you want to share, please post in the comments below.