Top online schools to learn new skills

In today’s global job market, traditional university education no longer guarantees career success, especially in smaller regions like the Caribbean, where universities often lag behind in teaching the latest in-demand skills.

With emerging, tech-driven industries on the rise, there’s a growing gap between education and workforce needs. This makes it crucial for individuals to take control of their learning, using online platforms that provide up-to-date skills and practical education.

Online schools like EDX, Khan Academy, HubSpot Academy, Grow with Google and Google Digital Garage offer flexible courses that reflect the latest trends in technology and business, empowering individuals to build expertise and open career paths beyond local markets.

Let’s explore the top online schools and what they specialise in.

• HubSpot Academy: A leading platform for free certifications in digital marketing, sales and customer service.

It offers specialised courses in areas like content marketing, SEO, social media and e-mail marketing, making it a go-to resource for those interested in inbound marketing and CRM tools.

• EDX: A comprehensive platform founded by Harvard and MIT that provides university-level courses and professional certifications in fields ranging from computer science to business management. It offers both free and paid options and is well-regarded for its partnerships with top-tier universities and institutions worldwide.

• Khan Academy: Initially focused on maths and science, Khan Academy has expanded its curriculum to cover a wide range of academic subjects such as economics, arts, computing and history.

It offers free educational content aimed at foundational learning and is particularly useful for students and professionals seeking to improve their understanding of core subjects.

• Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and organisations to provide a broad range of courses, specialisations and degree programmes in areas such as data science, AI, business and public health. The platform offers certifications, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, providing flexible learning options for professional development and academic achievement.

• Grow With Google: Aimed at equipping individuals with job-ready skills, Grow With Google provides free and paid courses in IT support, data analytics, project management and UX design.

It is tailored for people looking to quickly gain in-demand skills in tech fields.

• Google Digital Garage: This platform offers free courses in digital marketing, career development and data skills, helping individuals and small businesses thrive in a digital-first world.

It provides certifications on a variety of topics such as digital marketing fundamentals and data analysis.

• Google Skillshop: Google Skillshop focuses on providing training and certifications for Google’s professional tools, including Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Marketing Platform and YouTube. It’s ideal for professionals looking to enhance their expertise in Google’s suite of products.

• Facebook Blueprint: Now rebranded as Meta Blueprint, this platform provides free and paid courses to help individuals and businesses master Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp marketing. It offers certifications in advertising, community management and other social media marketing skills.

• Alison: It provides free, globally recognised certifications in a wide range of subjects, including business, technology, health and education.

It focuses on helping learners upskill and build the qualifications necessary to pursue new career opportunities, particularly in emerging fields.

• FutureLearn: FutureLearn offers short courses, micro-credentials and full degrees from leading universities and organisations.

It covers a wide array of subjects from business and healthcare to coding and the arts.

• Digital Marketing Institute: This online institute specialises in providing professional certifications in digital marketing, social media, e-commerce, and data analytics.

It’s well-regarded for its industry-recognised qualifications that are designed to help marketers stay ahead of the digital curve.

• Simplilearn: This platform focuses on certification training for a wide range of technical and professional fields, including cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, digital marketing and project management

• Cybrary: A platform dedicated to cybersecurity and IT training. It offers free and paid courses for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge in areas like network security, penetration testing and ethical hacking. It’s popular among those looking to build or advance careers in IT security.

• Udemy: Udemy is one of the largest online learning platforms, offering courses across a variety of subjects including technology, business, design and personal development.

It caters to all levels of learners and allows professionals to gain new skills quickly through affordable, on-demand courses.

These platforms collectively offer flexible learning options for anyone looking to expand their skill sets, build a professional portfolio or transition into new careers, all without the constraints of traditional university education.

If you are looking to make a career change or want your kids to have the latest skills, these are the platforms to check out and start getting certified in your new career.

Keron Rose is a digital strategist who works with businesses to build their digital presence and monetise their platforms.

Learn more at KeronRose.com or listen to the Digipreneur FM podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or Google podcasts.

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