For background on ProTech, read our blog post Update on ProTech and New Continuing Education Programs for Seekers and for information on the other new continuing education courses for Seekers, check out the Professional Development page of our website.

For many data analysts, the AI hype hasn't quite lived up to the reality of daily work. While coding assistants for Python took off immediately, reliable support for Excel and SQL has lagged behind. That’s finally changing. The opportunity to integrate powerful AI tools into your day-to-day workflow as a data analyst has never been greater. But using AI in analytics requires a new kind of skill: knowing where these tools succeed, where they fail, and how to use precise prompting to get the reliable results you need.

That's why we're excited to announce the launch of AI for Analytics, a brand-new part-time professional development course designed specifically for Data Seekers. Beginning March 16, this six-week course will give students the practical skills to confidently use AI tools in their analytics work, without the guesswork.

Course Overview

This course covers some of the most relevant and practical AI tools for working analysts today and explores their strengths and weaknesses. Here's a preview of the curriculum:

• Overview of LLMs: Build a working understanding of what's happening under the hood of large language models, so you can use them more effectively.
• AI as Technical Mentor: Imagine having a senior analyst available 24/7. Learn to use AI to break down unfamiliar functions, translate complex business processes into technical steps, and provide real-time guidance as you tackle new analytical challenges.
• Claude for Excel: Get hands-on with one of the latest AI-powered add-ins that works directly inside your Excel workbook.
• AI-Powered SQL Workflows: SQL-specific AI tools are finally becoming a viable part of an analyst’s toolkit. Learn how to leverage these tools to speed up your workflow while being vigilant for logical errors.
• Prompt Engineering: Learn to craft precise, effective prompts that get better results on the first try, saving you time and reducing frustration.
• VS Code AI Plugins: Discover how AI-powered plugins can assist you in real time as you write and troubleshoot Python code.
• Clean Up Existing Code: Use AI to review, improve, and explain changes to existing SQL and Python code, while learning to spot potential issues before they become problems.

While you’ll learn how to use AI to help you with your code & analysis, this course is intended for those who can complete a Python analytics project without AI assistance.

Course Launch

Duration: 6 weeks, 3/16 - 4/22

Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6pm - 9pm CT

Format: Live online

Cost

The initial cohorts of the AI For Analytics course will be free to qualified students.

Who is qualified to attend the first cohort?

For the first cohort, we are targeting NSS Data Seekers (graduates of our full-time and part-time Data Analytics Bootcamp or Data Science Bootcamp who are still searching for their first tech role). After the first cohort, we will open the program to other qualified applicants, including tech professionals who have been laid off and looking to acquire new skills to help them restart their careers and recent graduates of other skills credentialing programs (e.g. certificate from another bootcamp, relevant college or university degrees, etc.).

How to Apply

Eligible NSS Seekers have already been invited to apply with details on the class schedule for the first session, and how to enroll.

We expect this course to open to those laid off from tech positions or those with relevant credentials still searching for a first position in mid-2026. For now, you can sign up for our ProTech mailing list below to be notified when this course (and others) open for applications.

This course is part of our commitment to support the Nashville tech community. Whether they’re launching a tech career or restarting after a layoff, we're helping Nashville’s tech job seekers grow their skills, gain experience, and strengthen their qualifications. At the same time, we’re helping employers access a strong pipeline of emerging talent.

ProTech is partially funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.