SAS offers valuable analytics skills for MBAs and out-of-work technologists

It is more important than ever that companies be able to make better decisions using analytics. SAS is involved in two programmes that offer MBAs and unemployed technology workers the opportunity to learn and enhance analytics skills, and increase their marketability.

SAS is a partner in TechEngage, a week-long programme of training classes that offer unemployed technology professionals new skills at a low cost to help them compete effectively in the marketplace. TechEngage is a non-profit organisation. All classes and materials are offered by partners and volunteers, with a common goal to help our community.

SAS will provide instructors, volunteers, print materials and meeting space, and will have human resources personnel available for career counselling. SAS will offer several technical courses, as well as instruction in soft skills, such as interviewing techniques and effective communication. TechEngage will take place from 26-30 July at SAS and NC State University's McKimmon Centre.

In addition, SAS has created an Advanced Business Analytics course for MBA students, a ready-out-of-the-box program that includes course materials and multimedia extras to cover 15 weeks' worth of business analytics instruction tailored for management students.

"One of the things we've realised in talking with companies is that there is a real need for employees who understand the role analytics can play in the decision-making process, and for executives who can manage that role," said SAS CEO Jim Goodnight. "Those skills aren't being taught in MBA schools, and we want to be at the forefront of changing that."

The course is designed to follow the basic statistics courses to which MBA students currently are exposed. "We're not creating data miners with this course," said SAS instructor Catherine Truxillo, who developed the Advanced Business Analytics course. "We're trying to help the leaders of tomorrow have a better appreciation for the importance of making scientifically and analytically based decisions."

Professors who license the materials to teach the course will receive: notes to cover 15 weeks of lectures and accompanying PowerPoint slides; data sets, case studies and access to SAS OnDemand for Academics point-and-click software, including SAS Enterprise Guide, SAS Enterprise Miner and SAS Forecast Server, at no extra cost.

In addition, students have access to a resource website that will offer introductory Webinars on forecasting, data mining and data preparation; books and a hefty number of timely, relevant articles for assigned readings; and a series of testimonial videos from customers to get students' analytical juices flowing.