Data Science with Python Training Program [Case Study]

The Client: A major US federal government health agency

The Challenges

1.  Upskill 70 current staff and state health agency partners in the Python programming skills they need to perform complex analyses of health data and derive conclusions.
2.  At the outset of a major health crisis, remotely train 300 staff in Zoom, Skype for Business, and Adobe Connect so they could successfully collaborate with each other and communicate with the public.

The Solution

• For the first project (Python data science programming training):
  
  
  • Collaborated with client subject matter experts to devise a unique three-week training program, with one week of training conducted each month over three months.
  • Incorporated simulated health data similar to the students' real-world data into the hands-on exercises throughout the class.
  • Simultaneously deployed four highly skilled data science programming instructors to teach the class.
• For the second project (Zoom/Skype for Business/Adobe Connect training):
  
  
  • Met with agency experts and managers to devise a three-hour curriculum for each of the three tools focused on the skills those learners would need.
  • Tailored the training to be appropriate for both very senior managers and entry-level employees.
  • Delivered the training to 100 students per class, keeping all learners engaged through a wide array of hands-on activities and polls.

Sample feedback from participants:

"Best training course I've ever attend. Instructor is very nice and knowledgeable. Really hope the one-week class can be expanded to 4 weeks of classes."

"[Instructor's] knowledge extends way beyond the course material and I like that he is able to give in-depth background to the topics. I especially liked the neural networks explanation and instruction."

"I have wanted to learn Python for years, and this training made me realize that I can actually learn it and not be confused. All the materials were given to us with the goal of speeding up and easing the learning process. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and very hardworking. I have really enjoyed this class"

How else we helped this client

• Prepared and delivered multiple half-day, in-person executive-level briefings to senior agency management on new approaches to data science challenges and strategies for updating staff skills and tools to meet these challenges.
• Taught multiple classes to agency scientists on data visualization with Tableau and Bayesian Inference with R.
• Taught multiple classes for agency programmers on Angular programming and Android mobile development.

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