Analytics training options are vast, and it’s often difficult to determine which training option is best for you and your company. Selecting the platform that will bring your business closer to data literacy has profound benefits but it can also have the opposite effect if the wrong choice is made.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at five popular analytics learning platforms to help you gain a better understanding of their features, benefits, and gaps. Our goal is to help you choose the right platform for your data literacy goals.
Why Invest in an Analytics Training Platform?
One thing is for certain in the data and analytics industry – training your team is money well spent. If you consider all of the analytics tools available today and the incredible rate of advancement within the data/analytics field, it’s downright impossible to stay ahead of trends without constantly upskilling. The thing is, upskilling costs money.
Nearly any business that invests in training wants to ensure it’s adopted and delivers a return on investment, yet, in reality, very few analytics training programs achieve widespread adoption with tangible results. As an added challenge, one platform may work great for one business but fail for another.
What are the Best Platforms for Analytics Learning?
Platforms like Data Coach, Datacamp, and Coursera are the most reputable and well-rounded analytics training platforms available today, but in truth, this question greatly depends on your business, its needs, and several additional factors.
Understanding what learning platform is best for your business is going to depend vastly on your company’s needs. If it’s just training and completion in the analytical field that your business desires, Datacamp might be right for you.
If your company is massive and needs more training in other subjects too, then Coursera can cover that aspect. If you need help jumpstarting your business in its analytical department and training your team on problems your company is facing now, Data Coach might be the best option for you.
The point is that there’s so much to consider in order to select the best analytics training platform for your business.
To help you make a more informed decision at a glance, we put together this handy graphic that highlights the core functionality of each platform.
In the following sections, we’ll take a deeper look into each training platform, exploring the pros and cons, and much more!
Tableau Training Pass
This training platform is hosted by Tableau and includes live private classes, your own learning pace, and access to Tableau. As a pass holder, you will get access to workshops to test your skills in real-world scenarios. You also receive live Q/A sessions to ask Tableau-certified instructors any pending questions you may have or discuss training material.
Pros: Learn from Tableau experts that are hand-picked from the people who actually built the tool. It’s also relatively inexpensive, which is a plus for smaller companies.
Cons: No coaching or applicable projects to help turn that newfound knowledge into real success. Only one data tool is taught here and end-of-course projects are not included.
Who this is best for: Small companies focused solely on Tableau
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is already the leading platform for people to connect with talent and get hired in the workforce. Companies use it to hire and people use it to find jobs. With most already having profiles, why not have them train there too? There are many courses and learning paths including analytics, HR training, and leadership skills. There are also SQL and Python training courses too.
Pros: Low prices are very appealing, plus many people are already familiar with LinkedIn. LinkedIn Learning also has a very robust course catalog.
Cons: No program managers or 1-on-1 coaching. Classes will not be live but pre-recorded.Who this is best for: Any company interested in exploring training on numerous topics vs. just analytics.
DataCamp
Are you looking for a more narrowed-down training platform that will train your employees in all things data? Try DataCamp. It has low pricing for individuals and a big catalog for data science-oriented training. There are three tiers of courses: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Pros: Affordable with many courses to choose from and all of the content is data focused.
Cons: This platform has more of a hands-off approach, with no coaching/trainer manager options and no live classes.
Who this is best for: Any company interested in bolstering their analytical skills in many different analytical applications.
Coursera
Coursera has a huge catalog and provides actual degrees from universities and certificates in data science on programs like Python, Power BI, and SQL. The business plans are expensive, but you get coaches to lead your company in training and managers to oversee that your employees are completing the training.
Pros: Largest catalog of courses with options to expand academic degrees to Masters or even Doctorate levels.
Cons: Expensive and not analytics-focused.
Who this is best for: Bigger companies that want to train their associates to better themselves in a multitude of different ways.
Data Coach
Data Coach has courses on a variety of tools including Tableau, Power BI, Alteryx, Sigma, SQL, and KNIME. The course content is created by subject matter experts who have real-world experience and stay apprised of the continually evolving technology. With the training platform, you get 1-on-1 coaching with real-world capstones that bring value back to the business through reduced costs, new insights, and improved efficiency. There is an option for both self-paced learning or cohorts led by a dedicated coach.
Pros: Highest success and completion rates plus a variety of course customizations, including content, integrations, and reporting.
Cons: No individual training programs or courses outside the analytics field. The platform is also on the pricier side.
Who this is best for: Companies that are focused on analytics advancements, have a backlog of potential projects, and would like a more customizable learning experience.
Conclusion
Choosing the right analytics training platform for your business is no easy task. Our sincere hope is that this blog helped narrow down your choice. If you’d like more information on any of these platforms or how they stack up against each other, our team would be happy to help!
Additionally, if you’re leaning towards Data Coach as your analytics training platform, our team would love to chat and answer any questions.
