Thousands of free online certification courses are uploaded to the internet each day to help people just like you improve their job-specific skills. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your own skills or learn new ones to help you switch to a new career field completely, enrolling in a free online course may help you succeed. Most courses are taught by professionals in the industry. You can even customize your course load to ensure you can work at your own pace.
There are some free online courses with certificates that give you a leg up on your competition, too. Certificates are written proof of successful career training; you may be able to show this certificate during a job interview to help you land a job. Or, your current employer may value the certificate and grant you a promotion, raise or other career-specific perk. Also, in some cases, certificates are necessary to continue on your career path.
You can find free online certification classes in nearly every subject and degree field. You just need to know where to look. To help you find an education course that fits your career goals, we’ve compiled a list of 5 of the best free online training programs, courses and websites available. Take a look at our list below.
1. Google
Believe it or not, Google is one of the top career education providers on the market. You can find free Google courses in many career industries, but it specializes in digital marketing, advertising and design.
Some of the top free certificate courses that Google offers online are as follows:
- Google Analytics certification (free version)
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
- Google Ads certification
- Project Management
Google also offers free training workshops to help you hone your skills. Search the free Google courses platform to view hundreds of free training sessions online. Most of these training sessions are hosted virtually, allowing you to tune in no matter where you live. However, you may be able to find in-person training classes in your area as well.
While most courses are free, there are a few paid certificate programs, too. You can find these certificates in the fields of technology, retail, energy, finance and more. And, when you sign up for a paid certificate program, you can access benefits like:
- Career coaching.
- Mock interviews.
- Resume builder tools.
2. Microsoft
You may be able to find a free Microsoft course in your career subject or area of expertise. Microsoft is another leader in the career education industry and offers hundreds of training resources for free. During the recent pandemic, Microsoft recognized the need for free skills classes to help employees succeed during the transition to remote employment.
For example, you can get free Excel training from Microsoft by watching the interactive tutorial videos posted online. These videos walk you through the Excel program, which is used by millions of companies worldwide. If you have ever wanted to learn Excel online for free or sharpen your skills, this is your chance.
Microsoft Learn is a free online learning platform that offers even more free career training and resources. Free online certification is available in a variety of subjects, like data science, security, artificial intelligence (AI) and more. Earning a Microsoft certification can help you broaden your career opportunities and/or become a better employee in your current position.
Students and educators get even more access to free Microsoft courses, like training for some other widely used programs such as:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft OneNote
3. Coursera
Whether you’re looking to take a course that finishes in one day or takes several months to complete, Coursera has a program for you. This online learning platform has thousands of free online courses led by expert professionals in a variety of career industries.
From free coding classes to courses that explore interior design, you can find something that fits your career goals and preferences. Nearly 60 million people have taken a class on Coursera, establishing it as one of the leaders in virtual high-level learning.
Free programming courses are some of the most popular options on this website. These skills are in high demand, as more and more companies are turning to remote employment and virtual skill sharing.
You can even enroll in free Excel training through Coursera. While not taught directly from Microsoft, this course is jam-packed with essential Excel skills that you can use in nearly every career industry.
4. Skillshare
Depending on what you want to learn, you may be able to enroll in free courses on Skillshare. Like Coursera, this is an online learning platform that offers classes in a variety of skill subjects and topics. Many courses and certificate programs require you to pay a fee, but there are a few free classes you can access on the website.
Some of the most popular free online certification courses and training sessions include:
- Digital Illustration
- Graphic Design
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- E-Commerce
And, just like Coursera, you can learn Excel online for free by enrolling in one of several free introductory courses. Most of the free classes are ideal for beginners, as they start with the very basics of the program.
5. Udemy
Free coding classes are one of the many specialties of Udemy, a virtual teaching website that offers thousands of training videos on countless topics. While most courses on the website are paid, Udemy has put together a helpful list of classes you can access for free.
Here are some of the most popular free online courses offered on Udemy:
- HTML5 and CSS Fundamentals
- Best Practices for Working Remotely
- Programming 101
- A Mini Course on Time Management
You can also find free Google courses taught by experts in the industry. For example, introduction courses to Google Analytics, Google Ads and Google Cloud are widely available and go over the basics of each program. While these classes are not taught by Google employees, the instructors are experienced and educated individuals who use Google skills in their own careers.