Free Data Career Program. Alberta residents.
No tech background required.
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Data work is knowledge work. It can often be done remotely, on flexible schedules, and without the physical or environmental demands that make many traditional workplaces difficult to navigate. If conventional employment has put up barriers that have nothing to do with your actual ability to do the work, data careers are worth a serious look. This program is a low-barrier way to find out if they are the right fit for you.
Five Days. Real Skills. A Clear Path Forward.
A free, grant-funded intensive built for people at every starting point, including people with no formal data background. Four cohorts are open for registration. Seats are kept small by design, so they'll fill before the start dates arrive.
| Cohort | Dates | Time | Venue | Seats | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Cohort 1 | August 24 - 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily | Gulf Canada Square | 15 | Waitlist Only |
| Calgary Cohort 2 | September 14 - 18, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily | Gulf Canada Square | 15 | Open |
| Edmonton | September 28 - October 2, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily | NAIT | 25 | Open |
| Online | Launching September 2026 | Self-paced (30 hours) | Delivered Online | Unlimited | Available |
Calgary Cohort 1 is currently waitlisted. Sign up for your most ideal course, even if it's currently waitlisted. Strong waitlist demand is what leads us to add more sessions.
All cohorts include the full 5-day program experience (30 hours total) and a Microcredential issued by the PPDM Association upon successful completion.
The Calgary and Edmonton cohorts run in one room for five days straight. You get direct time with the instructor, real conversations with the employers who speak during the week, and a cohort of people going through the same shift you are.
The online course covers the same five days of material. In person gets you the room.
Course Outline Coming Soon
Explore upcoming information sessions and watch recordings of past webinars and events.
Of Alberta data job postings are Analyst-level roles, the most accessible tier for people entering the field.
Hire based on demonstrated competency with no stated education requirement.
Ready to take the next step?
Choose the option that best matches where you are in your journey.
New to Unlocking Data Careers
Pre-Registered with Unlocking Data Careers
Registration is open to Alberta residents. You can hold a confirmed seat in the online course and a confirmed seat in one in-person cohort at the same time — that combination is allowed. Only one confirmed in-person cohort per person is permitted.
If a cohort is full, registrations for it are automatically placed on the waitlist instead of receiving a confirmed seat. A waitlisted spot does not count against your one in-person cohort limit, so you may be waitlisted for multiple cohorts while waiting for a confirmed seat.
Answers to common questions about the Unlocking Data Careers program.
PPDM and Government of Alberta are collaborating to create a clear path for data careers. This program guides everyone from newcomers to veterans toward in-demand data roles while showing real-time program progress.
Analyzing Alberta’s
2026 data job market
Interviewing employers
across industries
Events in Edmonton,
Calgary
5-day courses + early
access for registrants
