iPerks: Top 4 Tech Training Courses (so far!)

The platform gives our clients access to over 4000 online courses, bespoke wellness programmes (both physical and mental) and lifestyle discounts and savings from hundreds of retailers.

This week, we look at the 4 most popular tech courses that our clients have accessed through iPerks to date. The beauty of iPerks is that over 92% of the courses are free until certification, the majority are available in a number of languages and based on flexible learning structure (which means that you decide when and how often you study.)

Before we start, just a reminder that up-skilling expenses in line with your contract role is an allowable business expense and therefore eligible for tax relief.

1. IBM Data Science

The demand for data scientists who can analyse data and communicate results to inform data driven decisions has never been greater.

Anyone with a passion for learning can take this Professional Certificate – no prior knowledge of computer science or programming languages required – and develop the skills, tools, and portfolio to have a competitive edge in the job market as an entry level data scientist.

In addition to earning a Professional Certificate, you will also receive a digital badge from IBM recognizing your proficiency in data science.

The approximate time to complete is 12 months based on a commitment of 4 hours per week.

2. AWS Fundamentals

This specialisation gives current or aspiring IT professionals an overview of the features, benefits, and capabilities of Amazon Web Services (AWS).

As you proceed through these four interconnected courses, you will gain a more vivid understanding of core AWS services, key AWS security concepts, strategies for migrating from on-premises to AWS, and basics of building serverless applications with AWS.
Additionally, you will have opportunities to apply your learnings by completing labs and exercises developed by AWS technical instructors.

The approximate time to complete is 5 months based on a commitment of 2 hours per week but as with the majority of iPerks courses available, the learning is flexible and available in a number of languages.

3. Blockchain & Fintech – Basics, Applications and Limitations

Blockchain is a core technology in FinTech. The original design of blockchain focused on the cryptocurrency “Bitcoin”.

Due to its specific characteristics, many companies and users now find blockchain very useful for applications in many areas not limited to cybercurrencies, including finance, logistics, insurance, medicine and even music.

By completing this course, you will understand the design rationale of blockchain technology, its emerging platforms, and applications. You will also uncover the limitations and the opportunities enabled by blockchain applications, particularly as it relates to finance.

The course is accredited and delivered by the University of Hong Kong; it takes approximately 6 weeks to complete with a flexible 4-hour commitment each week.

4. Foundations of Project Management

Explore the fundamental aspects of project management and develop your understanding of traditional project lifecycles.

In this course, you will learn the core concepts of project management, including the prerequisites for a project, project management and the role of the project manager. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the typical project management process, its documentation and deliverables that are produced in each project phase and you will have the ability to evaluate the factors important to decision making.

This course is for anyone interested in project management at a beginner level and is accredited by the University of Coventry in the UK. It is a short course and can be completed in less than 8 hours but will give you a strong understanding of what Project Management is all about.

At Icon Accounting, our business model has always been centred around client experience and the contracting community.

We don’t just look after compliance and payroll - we invest in our clients and in our community. The addition of iPerks to our fully managed service offering will mean that you will benefit from the above learning opportunities, and much more, as an Icon contractor.

If you would like to find more about Icon Accounting, please email info@iconaccounting.ie or if you have any queries on iPerks, you can email iperks@iconaccounting.ie and our team will be delighted to assist you.