We recently announced the creation of two new strategic leadership training programmes for women in analytical, data and leadership roles.
The first is Women Who Decide and the second Women Shaping Insight.
In this blog we wanted to delve a bit deeper into the details of the Women Shaping Insight programme, sharing with you information about what learners and clients can expect. For example the modules, duration of the training and also the expected outcomes.
Further details on the Women Who Decide programme have been outlined in this blog ‘An Instep programme deep-dive: Women Who Decide’.
Women Shaping Insight – in summary:
As a core part of Instep’s Women in Leadership series, Women Shaping Insight programme is a transformative Level 3 apprenticeship built on the Data Technician Standard.
It has been designed specifically to provide data practitioners with the skills to extract insight, lead with evidence and drive measurable impact. Additionally, by embedding AI as a working practice from Module one, it ensures every learner has the skills needed to be future-ready and AI-confident.
How does Instep’s programme differ from others?
In our last blog we explained that we believe that business analysis programmes that are informed by lived experience strengthen leadership capability and drive lasting organisational success. This is a gap that no other training programme fills.
As with our Women Who Decide programme, Women Shaping Insight integrates evidence-based research on the structural challenges faced by women in analytical leadership roles and data-led environments. From the Authority Gap, the Double Bind, Emotional Labour, Attribution Gaps, and Resilience Under Career Adversity. This is not delivered as a bolt-on, but as a core curriculum woven into business analysis and data content.
A series of masterclasses facilitated by women with proven sector success and dedicated lived experience will run alongside the analytical learning, creating authentic role models and mentorship moments,
Additionally, the programme has been designed to build a supportive cohort community where learners actively contribute and amplify each other’s work and a network that extends well beyond the learning journey’s end date.
What is the benefit for learners?
This is a programme about developing data-confident practitioners with leadership capability, AI fluency and a direct line from data work to measurable organisational impact
Over six masterclasses learners will progress from foundational knowledge to advanced application, acquiring the skills needed to:
- Understand and identify data roles and ecosystems, data types, data lifecycles, governance frameworks GDPR and data ethics.
- Have the ability to collect, cleanse and transform, and manage data (including data storage, databases, spreadsheet and sales qualified leads).
- Be proficient in descriptive and inferential statistics, pattern recognition, hypothesis testing, pivot tables, Excel and Power business intelligence.
- Be adept at visualisation principles using Power business intelligence and Tableau, (including the use of dashboards, data narratives, etc) and presenting to varied audiences and stakeholders.
- Provide data-driven recommendations, cost-benefit, ROI of data work, risk and uncertainty in data, and the ability to communicate the actions needed.
- Understand the need for continuous improvement, data culture and change management, as well as use data maturity frameworks.
How will this benefit organisations?
The expected outcomes from completion of the Women Shaping Insight programme includes the ability to:
- Source, manage & understand data – accessing and managing data from multiple sources with confidence and accuracy; applying data cleansing, transformation and quality management techniques; and Operating within governance, ethical and legislative frameworks including GDPR.
- Analyse and interpret data with confidence – applying statistical methods to identify patterns, trends and anomalies; using data tools confidently – and advocate for their own analytical judgements; and challenging data assumptions and present findings with evidence and authority.
- Visualise and communicate data insight – creating accessible, compelling data stories for diverse audiences; facilitating data-led conversations – including navigating resistance and scepticism; and ensuring data contributions are attributed correctly and visibly.
- Drive data-informed decisions and measurable impact – linking data analysis to measurable organisational outcomes and return on investment (ROI); presenting data-driven recommendations with commercial awareness and confidence; and documenting and advocating for the impact of data work – closing the visibility gap.
- Lead with data confidence and resilience – building data literacy and data culture within teams as a leadership practice; applying AI tools responsibly as a practical thought partner across data workflows; and building long-term career resilience and a data career pathway beyond linear progression.
Who will deliver the training?
As with all of Instep’s training programme, the modules will be delivered by Instep’s team of expert, highly-qualified trainers and led by practitioners. Each one has in-depth, first-hand experience of key sectors including local authorities, manufacturing, and retail.
How long does the programme run for?
Women Shaping Insight is a 13-month blended learning journey. Learners will apply their learning to a live impact project, ensuring immediate value creation and measurable organisational outcomes.
Is there an exam or assessment at the end of the programme?
A three-month End-Point Assessment will be conducted.
If you are looking for further information on, or have any questions regarding Women Shaping Insight ,the Women in Leadership Series or any other of our training programmes, please contact the team on enquiries@instepuk.com.
