Data Literacy for Beginners: From Information to Impact
In today’s data-driven world, understanding data is a critical skill – no matter your role. Data Literacy for Beginners is a friendly, hands-on course that starts from scratch (no technical background needed) and empowers you to work with data confidently. You’ll learn to ask the right business questions and turn information into meaningful insights.
This interactive course is designed for professionals who want to use data more effectively in their current role without becoming a data scientist. By the end, you’ll be able to engage in data-driven conversations, collaborate across teams, and contribute to smarter decisions in your organisation, helping foster an innovative and informed culture.
Who should attend
No prior data experience? No problem! This course welcomes professionals from any business or technical support function who want to build a solid foundation in data literacy and analytics.
It’s ideal if you’re looking to:
- Understand data analytics fundamentals
- Create simple dashboards
- Participate more confidently in data-driven discussions
Maybe you’ve felt left out of the “data talk” at work or intimidated by data tech jargon – this beginner-friendly course is made for you. If you can use Excel and have an open mind, you can succeed here.
In a time when AI and automation are making headlines, now is the perfect moment to focus on the data skills that power those technologies (because without quality data, even the best AI models fall short).
Prerequisites & Pre-reading Guidelines
- A laptop with a free trial of Microsoft Power BI installed (we’ll provide instructions).
- Basic Excel and Microsoft Office familiarity is helpful, but no prior data or programmeming experience is required.
- We start from the basics and guide you step-by-step.
NB: To hit the ground running, we’ll send you a brief 20-minute Power BI tutorial video before the course. This prep will help you get comfortable with the tool ahead of time.
How Certificate is Earned
Expect a highly engaging experience with:
- Team-based exercises
- Individual practice
- Real-world datasets to build dashboards and tell data stories
Complete the course and the practical exercises to earn your Data Literacy for Beginners Certificate – a testament to your new data skills and confidence.
Delivery
4 half days, live online
Award
Complete the course and the practical exercises to earn your Data Literacy for Beginners Certificate – a testament to your new data skills and confidence.
Context
In today’s digital-first world, data literacy is no longer optional – it’s essential for both individuals and organisations.
As Generative AI and advanced analytics reshape industries, businesses must ensure their workforce can confidently read, interpret, and communicate with data.
For professionals, being data-literate is a career accelerator. Employees who can effectively use data to support decision-making stand out, contribute more strategically, and drive measurable business impact.
This course empowers professionals across functions to confidently engage in data conversations, create compelling visualisations, and support their company’s data-driven transformation—without needing to be a data scientist.
Course Objectives
Understand the Data Landscape
Gain a foundational understanding of modern data concepts, architectures, and tools, and learn why high-quality data is essential for AI and analytics success.
Create Meaningful Data Visualisations
Get hands-on with Microsoft Power BI to turn data into informative charts and dashboards. Learn how to visualise data to uncover actionable insights and trends.
Tell Compelling Data Stories
Transform data into clear, impactful narratives, ensuring insights are effectively communicated to stakeholders and decision-makers.
Contribute to a Data-Driven Culture
Build confidence in using data, collaborate across business and technical teams, and take an active role in data-informed decision-making within your organisation.
Meet The Trainers
Dave Clarke, Consultant Data Scientist, CEO
- 30-year career in data roles across software, consulting, multinational corporations, startups, and SMEs
- Developed the Clarke Analytics AI Data Literacy Framework
- Lecturer in data analytics at Munster Technological University & Atlantic Technological University, Sligo
Helen Clarke, Head of Operations
- Degrees in computer engineering and applied mathematics
- Experience in customer support in global telecom companies
- Specialises in generative AI and data literacy
Day 1: Introduction to Data Literacy
Lesson 1
- The data world
- Why is data important
- The crowded vendor spaces
Lesson 2
- Modern Data Analytics Use Case approaches
- Delivery Methodology & Collaboration
Lesson 3
- Modern Data Architectures
- Microsoft Analytics Technology Stack
- Microsoft Power BI & Power BI Service
Group & Individual Exercise:
- What is the right business question?
- What expertise & team do you need?
Day 2: Generative AI and Data
Lesson 1
- Business adoption of Generative AI
- Large Language Models
- Implementation dependencies and cautions
Lesson 2
- Product and Customer Lifecycle Use Cases
- Prompt Engineering Frameworks
- Company role-based examples
Group & Individual Exercises
- Choose your role
- Choose your chatbot
- Generate your output
Day 3: Get to Know your Data
Lesson 1
- Power BI Power Query
- Using visuals to assess data
Lesson 2
- What to look for in your data with Power BI
- How to visualise data
- Classified and unclassified data
Group & Individual Exercises
- Load your data, including a demo by the tutor
- What visuals would you use to describe your data in Power BI?
Day 4: Present your Data
Lesson 1
- Know your audience
- Preparing your data to present to your audience
- What insight can your data give?
- What action do you want your audience to take?
Group & Individual Exercises
- Load new data to Power BI, including a demo by the tutor
- Agree on the business question
- Assess the data
- Present your visualisation
Clarke Analytics