Butler University aims to equip Indianapolis-based learners with data boot camp

Dive Brief:

Butler University Executive Education and Trilogy Education have partnered to launch a new data analytics boot camp, the two organizations announced. The boot camp focuses on the needs of adult learners and working professionals, encompassing the technical, analytical and teamwork skills data professionals need, according to a news release
The program aims to "meet the ever-growing demand for data professionals in Indianapolis," Butler Executive Education Executive Director William Gulley said in the news release. Butler cited Burning Glass data that found Indianapolis employers were challenged to fill more than 23,000 open roles in the city last year that required skills in data proficiency.
The 24 week, part-time program will begin in November. Learners will have two three-hour weeknight classes and a four-hour session on Saturdays. Curriculum will include a variety of disciplines: data programming and storytelling, proficiency building in Tableau, Python, Pandas, SQL, MongoDB, JavaScript and basic machine learning, among others. Participants can expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours each week on homework, external projects and experiential learning activities.

Dive Insight:

Organizations are displaying more and more interest in boot camps and other learning initiatives, such as apprenticeships, earn-as-you-learn opportunities and certification programs. The University of Oregon announced its own partnership with Trilogy Education to offer a 24-week coding boot camp for adult learners in 2018. Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering also partnered with Trilogy to host a similar program.

Bootcamp programming can do more than upskill employees. Many companies are looking to them to increase their outreach to underserved communities and potentially boost their diversity initiatives. JPMorgan Chase partnered with StartupBus, for example, to host a five-day entrepreneurship boot camp designed to train future black business leaders. Other organizations are looking to upskill in-house talent with internal boot camps; Liberty Mutual did so to teach its workers to code.