“If I grow, we grow; If we succeed, I succeed." - This has been my personal motto for as long as I remember. So, when my mentor that laid the foundation for my career in Data shared the vision of Calybre … it didn’t take much to convince me to pick up arms and join forces with them to build scarce Data and Analytics skills. CData states in their Dec 2022 article around 4 Major data trends that “Data and Analytics continue to be at the epicenter of the business landscape.” The problem is, no company can successfully become Data-driven without the right data skills, and with educational systems still playing catch-up with fast-disrupting data development, the skills are scarce in South Africa and globally. It is up to everyone … schools, tertiary learning, communities, and corporates to build those skills. Myself, with Calybre, are throwing our hats in the ring … partnering with graduates, young professionals, clients and whoever else is willing, to grow the power-skills + data skills + tech skills that make up true data literacy. A Data Analyst that can use PowerBI is good, but if he/she can’t identify and unpack business problems … can’t collaborate with diverse stakeholders … can’t tell data stories and convert insight into “So now what” conclusions with business leaders, then impact to becoming data-driven is too light. A Data Engineer that can code Python and successfully deploy a few pipelines, but cannot comprehend integrating it into the fabric of the application landscape, or enhancing it with embedded data management controls, or scaling pipeline patterns so new pipeline-engineering can keep up with the pace of business needs … may just end up becoming the bottle-neck instead of the catalyst towards data-driven success.The competency and passion I have for Data and Analytics was built up through 2 decades of exploring and pioneering with clients, paying school fees and bearing the scars of learning through trial and error. Here, at Calybre, I spend every moment to share these competencies with the next generation, so they can build on our foundation and reach even higher heights!