IT training with an education voucher
Data analyst, data scientist, Python or web application security: online IT training that can be funded with an education voucher. Free advice.
This area is about data, programming and IT security. The programmes are for people who want to work with data, join software and data teams or secure web applications. The range goes from an entry point without programming experience to programmes for advanced learners, so it is worth looking closely at the requirements of each course.
Without programming experience you start with “Python programming”, which also covers SQL, database design and unit testing. “Business intelligence analyst” and “Data analyst” are intermediate and work with Excel, SQL and Power BI, the data analyst programme also with Python. “Data engineer” and “Data scientist” are for advanced learners with Python experience: one builds data pipelines in the cloud with Microsoft Azure, the other develops models with machine learning. These programmes are taught live online and take about 4 to 12 months full time, depending on course and variant. “Web application security”, by contrast, is a supported distance learning course of about 9 weeks full time for people with a basic technical understanding.
All courses are AZAV certified and can be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) under § 81 SGB III. The voucher is decided by your employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit), since 2025 also if you are supported by a Jobcenter. Be prepared to explain why the course fits your career goal and your prior knowledge. At the end you receive certificates from the training provider. Our advice is free, and we work out with you which starting point is realistic.
Funded courses in this area
6 courses
What to look for when choosing a course
- Take the requirements seriously: data engineer and data scientist require work experience with advanced Python programming or with large amounts of data. Without that, starting with Python programming is more realistic.
- Plan for a long duration: some programmes take 9 to 12 months full time, and up to 24 months part time. Check whether that fits your life.
- Choose live or self-study: the data programmes are taught live online at fixed times. Web application security is a distance learning course with tutor support that you can schedule more freely.
- Use the portfolio: four of the data programmes end with a portfolio project. In addition to the certificates from the training provider, it shows employers what you have done in practice.
Frequently asked questions about this area
Which IT course suits me without programming experience?
Python programming does not require any programming experience. You should be confident using a computer, and basic maths and statistics help with logical thinking. The course takes about 4 months full time and covers SQL, database design and object-oriented programming as well as Python. Whether a more advanced data programme makes sense afterwards is something to discuss with your employment agency or Jobcenter.
Data analyst, data scientist or business intelligence analyst: what is the difference?
The business intelligence analyst mainly prepares data in reports and dashboards with Power BI. The data analyst also analyses data independently with SQL and Python and combines this with business analysis. The data scientist goes further and develops predictive models with machine learning. The first two are intermediate, while the data scientist programme is for advanced learners with Python experience.
Who is web application security for?
The distance learning course is aimed at developers, admins and IT professionals who want to protect web applications against attacks. Topics include configuration weaknesses, injection attacks, session handling, client-side attacks and automated scanners. You need a basic technical understanding, German at level B1 or higher and a willingness to work with security tools. The course takes about 9 weeks full time.