Learn to analyze data like an economist — not simply run statistical models

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A one-week workshop that teaches economists how to conduct current analysis: how experienced central bank economists read incoming information and assess the current state of the economy. Constructing measures of non-traded and sticky-price inflation is part of the course — but it is only one piece of a broader craft.

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What the course is about

Most training focuses on building indicators. This workshop goes further. It teaches how seasoned economists actually think about the economy — how they interpret new data as it arrives, separate signal from noise, identify risks, and continually update their assessment of current conditions.

The emphasis is deliberately not on sophisticated statistical nowcasting techniques. It is on judgment: combining economic theory, institutional knowledge, evidence, and experience to reach a well-founded view of where the economy stands right now. In short, the objective is to teach participants how to analyze data like an economist, not simply how to run statistical models.

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What you'll learn

Over the week you'll work through the full craft of current analysis:

• Constructing measures of non-traded inflation and sticky-price inflation

• Distinguishing persistent domestic inflation pressures from temporary and externally driven movements

• Integrating information across inflation, labour markets, exchange rates, commodity prices, financial markets, surveys, and other high-frequency indicators

• Interpreting incoming data the way experienced economists do — rather than relying mechanically on statistical models

• Combining economic theory, institutional knowledge, judgment, and evidence to produce an assessment of current economic conditions

• Using our specialized GPTs to organize information, automate routine analysis, and draft high-quality assessments for Monetary Policy Reports and policy briefings.

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The approach

The philosophy behind this course reflects decades of hands-on central banking practice. It draws on the way current analysis was learned and practised at the Bank of Canada between 1981 and 1993, later observed at the Federal Reserve Board, and carried forward into work at the International Monetary Fund.

That tradition treats current analysis as a discipline of informed judgment. Data and models are essential inputs, but the economist's job is to interpret them — to understand what the numbers are really saying about domestic inflation pressures, external shocks, and the balance of risks, and to revise that understanding as new evidence comes in.

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The specialized GPTs are part of the course

Your course fee includes one month's access to the specialized GPTs used during the workshop. In this course they help you organize incoming information, automate routine analysis, and draft high-quality assessments ready for Monetary Policy Reports and policy briefings.

These are not generic AI tools. They have been trained on decades of practical experience developing monetary policy frameworks, building Forecasting and Policy Analysis Systems (FPAS), and drafting policy documents for central banks around the world — so they support the way central banks actually work.

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Format

This is a small-group workshop — just one to three participants — so the pace and content flex to your institution's needs. It runs for one week, two hours a day, and you can join in person or by Zoom.

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Enrollment

We follow the same straightforward process for every weekly course:

• Register at any time. You can apply whenever suits you.

• Applications close every Friday.

• Applications are reviewed over the weekend.

• You're notified first thing Monday morning whether you've been accepted, subject to trainer availability.

• Accepted participants confirm their place that same day by paying the course fee by credit card or another approved payment method.

• Once payment is received, your place is confirmed.

• The course begins the following Monday.

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Who it's for

Economists in monetary policy, research, forecasting, and economic-analysis departments — from those early in their careers who want to build the craft of current analysis to experienced staff who want a structured, modern approach and the support of purpose-built tools. It suits anyone responsible for assessing current economic conditions and preparing the analysis that feeds Monetary Policy Reports and policy briefings.

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Interested?

We'd love to have you. Let us know you're interested and which week might work for you, and we'll guide you through the rest.