1. What is Data Analytics?
You have probably heard of ‘Big Data’ - it captures details about most facets of our lives including our daily activities, our interactions with social media & devices, our shopping & consumption habits and more. But what is the point of all this data unless it’s translated into valuable insights? 

The growth of Big Data and digital transformation drives the demand for skilled professionals who can understand and analyse raw data to extract valuable information into actionable insights. Data Analysts possess the technical skills to analyse large data sets through specialised software and tools, such as Microsoft Power BI for business intelligence, Google Analytics for web analytics and Tableau for data visualisation. These skills are based on fundamental data analysis techniques that can be practised in Microsoft Excel. According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, Data Analysts were among the top five in-demand hiring roles in Singapore in 2022. 

2. Changes in Data Analytics landscape
Data Analytics has been rapidly adopted by most organisations and businesses, and the industry itself is growing and evolving at a breakneck pace. Data centre operations are sprouting in high numbers in Singapore over the last few years just to accommodate the increased demand, with about 24 providers and more than 40 data centres currently. 

However, your job prospects in the field of data analytics are not limited to data centres. From e-commerce to education, all businesses collect data on their systems and users to analyse for actionable insights to improve their business performance. 

As the world quickly wakes up to the significance, permeation, power and even risks associated with data, new regulations and platforms have emerged in response. Here are some of the hot topics in Data Analytics: 

1. Data Protection Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are being implemented by governments, regulatory boards and large IT players to safeguard user data interests. The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) is the baseline benchmark of protection for personal data within Singapore. This law is used to detail legislative and regulatory protocols that are embedded within different sectors, including the Banking Act and Insurance Act. As Singapore faces challenges when it comes to data breaches and protection, your role as a Data Analyst can entail even more legislative laws put in place, perhaps for newer technologies such as blockchain, decentralised finance and cryptocurrency. 

2. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of the analytics tool built by Google to curate precise and timely measurement of user data on websites and apps. Tracking website and app data to funnel and characterise users into different parts of the customer journey, GA4 collects event or session-based data with updated privacy controls such as cookieless measurement now newly baked in as an upgrade on the long-standing Universal Analytics (UA). If you have yet to, you will need to update your proficiency in Google Analytics 4 so your company’s or client’s data can be collected, manipulated and interpreted efficiently. 

3. If you are using a smartphone, chances are you have been more involved in the cloud than ever before. Cloud Analytics translates analytic software into the cloud, analysing data patterns in private or public cloud infrastructures to gather new insights across different databases, servers or software powered by the Internet. 

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is when machines or computerised software are modelled after human intelligence and behaviour. Much like how Lensa gained popularity at the tail end of 2022 as everyone changed their profile picture into an AI-generated version of their selfie, every organisation’s processes have the potential to be automated through AI systems such as machine learning, expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision. 

3. A career in Data Analytics
A Data Analyst can seek roles as Data Scientists, Data Technicians or Data Consultants, but it does not stop there. Data Analysis as a transferable skill set is highly sought after in Singapore, especially considering how connected we are, and how reliant we are on technology. Skills in data analysis and visualisation opens up crucial opportunities in management and consulting roles, as organisations depend on you to point them in the right direction with data-driven decisions. 

Internet giants such as Google, Amazon and Facebook have also chosen Singapore as one of their destinations to house data. Facebook will be investing S$1.4 billion into building a 170,000 square metre building in Singapore, which will become the world’s largest data centre under one roof. Having one of these tech giants under your resume could be reality for you as a Data Analyst. In addition, the data industry contributes around S$1 billion to Singapore’s economy each year. 

Here are some of the key responsibilities you could take on in a role that involves Data Analytics, including some common qualifications that are needed: 

1. Control and program automated tools to retrieve relevant data from primary and secondary sources
2. Assigning numerical values to essential business functions to quantify and track business growth
3. Identify and eradicate corrupted data while providing solutions for any coding problems that may surface
4. Arrange and sort data (e.g., sales numbers, market research, logistics, and other patterns of behaviour etc)
5. Making sense of raw data and gathering insights
6. Crafting in-depth reports using performance indicators
7. Keeping tabs on local, national, and global trends in data and data management that can affect the organisation - and potentially implementing them
8. Partnering with programmers, engineers, and management heads to craft process improvements, propose system modifications, or improve data governance strategies
9. Maintaining security of databases and data systems

Organisations look for these key defining skills in a Data Analyst: 

1. Powerful set of mathematical skills to help collect, measure, organise and analyse data 
2. Proficiency in programming languages like SQL, Oracle, R, MATLAB, and Python
3. Familiarity with reporting packages like Business Objects, programming (Javascript, XML, or ETL frameworks), databases
4. Technical proficiency regarding database design development, data models, techniques for data mining, and segmentation.
5. Operating know-how for statistical softwares such as Excel, SPSS, SAS and data processing platforms like Hadoop and Apache Spark
6. Knowledge of data visualisation software like Tableau, Qlik, Google Looker Studio

And in case you were wondering, Data Analysts can get starting salaries of $4,550 and higher.

4. Courses for your 2024 Data Analytics journey
To ensure that you are trained in the most current and updated skills, NTUC LearningHub has partnered with key leaders in the industry such as Microsoft, Qlik Sense and Tableau, to provide training for practical skills to enhance your data analytics knowledge and expertise. 

If you are eager to get started on your Data Analytics path, here is a list of NTUC LearningHub courses to propel your dreams of becoming a Data Analyst into reality. 

1. Data Analysis Fundamentals using Microsoft Excel (IBF)
   If you are just starting out, this is the first step for most data analysts. This 15-hour course introduces you to data analysis processes and techniques in Excel (beyond basic formulas) and builds towards more advanced capabilities such as dashboard creation, process automation, data modelling and more that can be applied in roles such as:
   • Data Officer
   • Associate Data Analyst / Data Analyst
   • Associate Data Engineer / Data Engineer
   • Associate Data Scientist / Data Scientist
   • Business Analyst
   • Data Team Leader

   Here is your start: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/-/course/data-analysis-fundamentals-using-microsoft-excel-ibf

2. Analysing and Visualising Data with Power BI (SF)
   Microsoft Power BI (Business Intelligence) is an enterprise level data visualisation software used by major corporations for data transformation, data analysis and to garner actionable insights to aid the planning of business strategies and make crucial decisions in operational structure and processes.
   This 24-hour course introduces you to the Power BI Service and the Power BI Mobile App across nine modules and prepares you for data analysis with Power BI through hands-on experiences in illustrating data patterns and insights through data visualisation and dashboard creation. This course is popular amongst those who are / aspire to be:
   • Report Creators
   • Data Analysts
   • Business Intelligence Professionals

   If you have similar aspirations, find out more here: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/-/course/analyzing-and-visualizing-data-with-power-bi-sf 

3. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in Financial Services
   Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the process of using technology to configure computer software, or a “robot”, to replicate human actions, interacting with a range of applications to execute whole or parts of business processes. RPA is typically used to reduce the amount of human effort required to complete repetitive tasks by automating them.
   This course covers RPA basic concepts and core principles of RPA development for the integration of different types of applications in seven lessons across 22.5 hours, all within the powerful UiPath Studio software and in the context of financial services. Apart from learning about data extraction, variables and sequencing & flow within UiPath Studio, you will also explore potential RPA tool integrations with a range of applications such as Excel, PDF, and Emails.

   Read all about this RPA course here: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/-/course/rpa-in-financial-services

4. Fundamentals of the Personal Data Protection Act
   If you are based in Singapore, you will need to comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) when managing consumer data for your business, ensuring that the collection, storage, and usage of your consumers' data abides by local security and data protection legislation.
   This three-day course will give you a good overview and understanding of the PDPA and how it should be applied to your organisation for compliance. In addition to referencing various sections of the PDPA, the course content is also largely adapted from the Advisory Guidelines published by the PDPC and emphasises the best practices of keeping data safe.
   Key participants who would greatly benefit from the programme include:
   • Compliance Managers or Data Protection Officers (DPOs)
   • Human Resource, Admin, IT personnel, Sales and Business Development Executive / Managers who need to be involved in data protection matters

   More here: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/-/course/fundamentals-of-personal-data-protection-act