Free SAS® e-learning prepares thousands for lucrative careers

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Employer demand drives record increases in SAS® instruction, certifications and exams

More people than ever before are pursuing SAS® skills, aided by free SAS software and training. Driven by rising employer demand for analytics talent, more than 9,000 enthusiastic students have accessed two beginner e-courses, Programming 1 and Statistics 1, in just two months.

The free e-learning follows the release of SAS University Edition, which provides free access to SAS software faster and more easily for students, professors and adult learners. More than 58,000 people have downloaded SAS University Edition this summer.

The McKinsey Global Institute predicts that by 2018, the United States could face a shortage of 1.5 million managers and analysts who understand how to analyze big data to make effective decisions; McKinsey also anticipates a shortage of up to 190,000 experts with deep analytical skills.

To narrow the gap, SAS launched SAS Analytics U. In addition to free SAS software, the broad education initiative includes university partnerships and engaging user communities that support the next generation of SAS users.

“This is the perfect time to learn SAS and seize the opportunity presented by the analytics skills gap,” said Emily Baranello, Director of the SAS Education Practice. ”Employers in every industry are struggling to make the most of big data. With the recent SAS initiatives, it’s never been easier to gain the skills those employers need.”

Beyond free e-learning, people are seeking SAS training in record numbers. Certifications are up 17 percent. The number of SAS exams taken rose 14.5 percent. Free SAS video tutorials have been viewed more than 250,000 times.

On the teaching side, professors are flocking to free SAS workshops that help them incorporate SAS into their classes. Last month, more than 110 professors from across the US attended a workshop at SAS global headquarters – the biggest turnout in the event’s 12-year history. Workshop attendance around the country is up 24 percent over 2013.

“Professors know where the jobs are,” said Jerry Oglesby, Senior Director of SAS Global Academic and Certification Programs. “They want to teach the latest skills so their students will be highly marketable and successful in the workplace.”

“For me to teach my students, I have to be on the cutting edge. SAS is putting me right on that frontier,” said Frank Alt, a University of Maryland at College Park professor who attended the recent workshop.

With more than three decades of experience working in education, SAS’ rich heritage in higher education presages a thriving future. SAS is used at more than 3,000 institutions worldwide for teaching, research and administration.

More people than ever before are pursuing SAS® skills, aided by free SAS software and training. Driven by rising employer demand for analytics talent, enthusiastic students have downloaded two beginner e-courses, Programming 1 and Statistics 1, more than 9,000 times in just two months.

The free e-learning follows the release of SAS University Edition, which provides free access to SAS software faster and more easily for students, professors and adult learners. More than 58,000 people have downloaded SAS University Edition this summer.

The McKinsey Global Institute predicts that by 2018, the United States could face a shortage of 1.5 million managers and analysts who understand how to analyze big data to make effective decisions; McKinsey also anticipates a shortage of up to 190,000 experts with deep analytical skills.

To narrow the gap, SAS launched SAS Analytics U. In addition to free SAS software, the broad education initiative includes university partnerships and engaging user communities that support the next generation of SAS users.

“This is the perfect time to learn SAS and seize the opportunity presented by the analytics skills gap,” said Emily Baranello, Director of the SAS Education Practice. ”Employers in every industry are struggling to make the most of big data. With the recent SAS initiatives, it’s never been easier to gain the skills those employers need.”

Beyond free e-learning, people are seeking SAS training in record numbers. Certifications are up 17 percent. The number of SAS exams taken rose 14.5 percent. Free SAS video tutorials have been viewed more than 250,000 times.

On the teaching side, professors are flocking to free SAS workshops that help them incorporate SAS into their classes. Last month, more than 110 professors from across the US attended a workshop at SAS global headquarters – the biggest turnout in the event’s 12-year history. Workshop attendance around the country is up 24 percent over 2013.

“Professors know where the jobs are,” said Jerry Oglesby, Senior Director of SAS Global Academic and Certification Programs. “They want to teach the latest skills so their students will be highly marketable and successful in the workplace.”

“For me to teach my students, I have to be on the cutting edge. SAS is putting me right on that frontier,” said Frank Alt, a University of Maryland at College Park professor who attended the recent workshop.

With more than three decades of experience working in education, SAS’ rich heritage in higher education presages a thriving future. SAS is used at more than 3,000 institutions worldwide for teaching, research and administration.

About SAS

SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. Through innovative solutions, SAS helps customers at more than 70,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW®.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2014 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

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Quick facts

• More people than ever before are pursuing SAS skills, aided by free SAS software and training offerings. • Employer demand drives record increases in SAS® instruction, certifications and exams • This is the perfect time to learn SAS and seize the opportunity presented by the analytics skills gap.
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Quotes

“For me to teach my students, I have to be on the cutting edge. SAS is putting me right on that frontier.”
Frank Alt, professor, University of Maryland at College Park