Automate Everyday Tasks with Python & AI

Automate repetitive office work with Python — spreadsheets, files, email preparation, and scheduled tasks with AI-assisted scripting. Level: intermediate · Ideal for: Python Foundations graduates or confident Excel users. 4-week in-person program at Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, London W7 1PD · 8 sessions · Europe/London timezone. What you will achieve: Automate CSV/Excel exports and produce summary reports. Batch-rename, move, and organize files with audited scripts. Schedule scripts safely on Windows or Linux. Combine Python with AI to draft transformations you verify and run locally. Deliver a capstone workflow that saves measurable time each week. What we cover: Automation patterns, Reading and writing CSV and Excel (openpyxl/pandas intro), Path handling with pathlib, Logging and dry-run modes, Reliability, Idempotent scripts and rollback plans, Task Scheduler/crons introductions, Email-ready reports (HTML/text generation), AI for automation, Describing transformations in plain English, Generating script drafts you test on copies, Documenting scripts for handover. Course structure: Phase 1 — Python refresh and tooling (Week 1 · 2 live sessions): Align on Python basics and set up a safe automation workspace. venv, requirements.txt, and project folders, argparse for CLI flags (--dry-run), Logging to file vs console. Deliverable: Starter automation repo layout. Phase 2 — Spreadsheet and CSV pipelines (Week 2 · 2 live sessions): Ingest exports, clean data, and output management summaries. pandas read_csv/to_excel basics, Column normalization and deduplication, Pivot-style summaries for stakeholders. Deliverable: Weekly sales/export report script. Phase 3 — File and folder automation (Week 3 · 2 live sessions): Organize downloads, invoices, or scans automatically. glob patterns and shutil operations, Naming rules and conflict handling, Archiving with date stamps. Deliverable: Inbox-to-archive file organizer. Phase 4 — Capstone workflow (Week 4 · 2 live sessions): Design, test, and document an end-to-end automation for your workplace. Scoping ROI and failure modes, Scheduling and monitoring, Handover README and runbook. Deliverable: Production-ready capstone script + schedule. Prerequisites: Python Foundations course or equivalent (variables, loops, functions, files). Comfortable with Excel or CSV exports from your line-of-business system. Delivery: Scripts run on your own PC or server — we do not host your data. Access to sample data provided; you may use anonymized real exports in the capstone. Full course details: https://nlcrc.co.uk/courses-python-automation-ai Location: Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, London W7 1PD. Bookings and enquiries: nlcrc.co.uk · 020 3393 0948