Charlotte Grainger 
Make upskilling affordable and easy with these key resources!
The world is becoming more digitalised, but can you keep up? According to the Industrial Strategy Council, 7 million workers could be underskilled for their roles by 2030. Put simply, upskilling is important if you want to stay employable. While learning new skills might seem costly, it doesn't have to be. There's a treasure trove of online resources for in-demand skills out there. In this blog, we'll take a look at the top 11.
Reasons to upskill
If you've been thinking about upskilling for a while, what's holding you back? While it does require effort, learning something new benefits you professionally. Before we take a look at some of the online resources for in-demand skills, let's delve into why you should even bother checking them out:
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Digitalisation is the future. Do you feel like technology is catapulting forward? Well, that's because it is. The statistics don't lie. Many workers will be underskilled in the coming years. Taking the time to upskill now puts you ahead of the competition and could secure your job in the future.
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Knowledge is power. When you're looking for ways to get ahead in the workplace, it's all about what you know. Learning new things gives you the power to elevate your career to new heights. By understanding the most profitable skills to learn, and then equipping yourself with them, you put yourself in the best position in the eyes of your employer.
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New skills enhance your personal brand. Taking the time to learn a new skill shows hiring managers that you're serious about your future career. Employers will always be looking for candidates who seek to push their skills further. Make sure that you're the person they have been looking for.
There are plenty of reasons to upskill. No matter where you are in your career, there's never been a better time to start looking at available resources than today.
The most in-demand skills in 2024
So what skills matter the most to employers right now? Before we take a look at some free online resources for in-demand skills, let's consider which ones are worth our time. According to a LinkedIn Learning report, the most important skills for 2024 are as follows:
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Communication. That is, how well you communicate with those around you. This skill impacts your teamwork, selling style, and even information sharing abilities.
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Customer service. Customer service will always be at the forefront of in-demand skills. It's important to learn how to deliver this in-person and also online.
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Leadership. While there are many different leadership styles, it's vital to hone yours and learn which one works for you.
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Project management. Dealing with complicated workflow systems is far from easy. Employers are looking for professionals who can master this art.
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Management. Similar to leadership, hiring managers will be on the lookout for people who can steer a team towards the right direction.
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Analytics. Since data is fast becoming king, it makes sense that many hiring managers will be looking for analytical whizkids to help them out.
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Teamwork. No matter what field you happen to work in, teamwork is always a big deal. Show that you can collaborate well with others here.
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Sales. It's not just about being able to sell to clients. Employers are looking for sales professionals who can use CRM platforms well.
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Problem-solving. It should go without saying that problem-solving is always an in-demand skill. Look for ways you can use technology to support this one.
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Research. And finally, it's the thing that's pushing us all forward in the workplace: research. If you have this skill in the bag, you're ahead of the game already.
It doesn't end there. The report also ranks adaptability as the “top skill of the moment.” That's thanks to the recent rise in AI technology, which is reshaping the professional sector. If you have the adaptability to upskill and learn AI, you're onto a winning career.
11 online resources for in-demand skills
Ready to take your skill set to new heights? If you're looking for a low-cost way of learning new things, the internet is your friend, offering plenty of skills to learn online for free. Many of these allow you to gain professional certificates that will help you get ahead.
In this section, we've selected 11 of the top free online resources for in-demand skills:
1. Learn to code for data analysis
The Learn to code for data analysis course from The Open University is completely free. If you want to get a taste of programming, data analysis, and data visualisation, this is your platform.
You will learn the basics of coding using Python, including how to write code one line at a time. You will also look at data from the World Health Organisation, among other organisations, and learn how to analyse it. Accredited by the CPD Standards Office, this course will also grant you an Open University digital badge upon completion.
2. Digital Skills: Social Media
Have you ever wanted to know more about social media marketing? The Digital Skills: Social Media course from Accenture can help you along the way. The free online resource is open to anyone who has an interest in this ever-changing aspect of the business world.
Should you enrol in the course, you'll learn how to manage your social media presence, the best social media management tools to use, and the importance of performance measurement. The course only takes two weeks to complete and is worth the time.
3. Oxford Home Study
Looking for an online resource with a selection of courses? Oxford Home Study has you covered. The website offers a wide range of options, including fashion design, customer service, internet marketing, and wedding planning, to name a handful. Once you've completed one of these courses, you'll receive a certificate that you can include on your professional CV.
4. Free Courses Online
If you live in England, you can apply for one of the thousands of government-funded options from Free Courses Online. It doesn't matter what your current employment status or experience level is; you could be eligible for one of these courses. Take a look at the options available now.
When accepted, you'll get round-the-clock support from a dedicated tutor and a certificate upon completion. The nationally recognised qualifications range from neuroscience and mental health to event planning and cyber security.
5. Hubspot Academy
Hubspot Academy is a 100% free online resource that anybody can access. The site has courses covering in-demand skills for online jobs, such as how to use email marketing software, powering your business through WhatsApp, social media marketing, and inbound marketing optimisation. Plus, there's a selection of course levels right from beginner all the way through to expert.
If you want to strengthen your professional prowess, look no further than these courses. Each of these dedicated courses is recognised by employers, and you will gain professional certificates whenever you complete one. The Hubspot Academy website also offers certification badges that you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
6. edX
Next up, if you haven't heard about edX, you're in for a treat. With more than 4,000 courses available, this is one of the best online resources for in-demand skills. Some of the most notable course providers include Harvard, MIT, and Microsoft. There's a wide selection of courses, including those in business and management, humanities, computer science, and engineering.
It's worth looking at each of the courses to figure out whether they'll suit you. Lengths and study hours do tend to vary, so you want to know what you're committing to before you get started. Most of the courses offer verified certificates at the end of your studies.
7. Codecademy
Whether you want to learn about web development or computer science, Codecademy is one of the best places to start. The provider has hundreds of courses that will give you a baseline knowledge of coding. When you choose to sign up, you get a whole range of benefits, including AI-assisted learning, portfolio project assistance, reference documents, and more.
Learning to code could be a highly valuable skill. If you're looking for a simple way to get into the IT field, taking one of these courses is a good place to start; the page has loads of online resources for in-demand skills within the coding sphere.
8. Class Central
Not sure where to start when looking for online courses? Class Central is a search engine that allows you to find all of the best free online resources for in-demand skills. There are currently more than 2,900 free courses, covering a varied array of subjects, to choose from.
Use the filter system to find the right option for your upskilling needs. For example, you can tick the box that says “with free certificate” or “university course only.” If there's a specific type of course that you're searching for, using this handy platform could be just what you need.
9. Future Learn
Should time be of the essence, it's worth looking at the selection of courses from Future Learn. The educational platform has a wealth of short courses from some of the country's top universities and organisations. Subjects include business and management, IT and computer science, and healthcare and medicine. Most of the courses last just a matter of weeks.
While some courses on the website are only available on a subscription basis, many of the courses remain free.
10. Free Courses in England
As the name suggests, Free Courses in England is available to everyone based in England. The educational provider offers courses that will help you get to the next level of your career. However, there are limited spaces available for each course if you want to study for free. Topics include business admin, counselling, understanding autism, and equality and diversity.
When you have completed one of these courses, you'll get a certificate that you can include on your CV. These qualifications will be recognised by employers across the country.
11. Alison
Alison boasts more than 4,800 free courses at the touch of a button. Each course has been created by a subject matter expert, giving you the best chance of success. You can filter the courses you're looking for by whether you get a certificate or diploma and by your experience level.
In this site, you can learn pertinent skills, such as 3D modelling, accounting, how to use QuickBooks, and even fire safety. It's best to use the search function to find the right course for your needs. Frankly, sifting through the seemingly endless selection can feel overwhelming, but it should be worth your time!
Get new skills to get ahead
Often enough, people find upskilling a chore as it takes a lot of time and money. However, with online resources for in-demand skills now accessible to virtually anyone with Wi-Fi, the process has just become easier. You can even learn new skills on your schedule without it costing the earth! So why not get started now and boost your employability on your own terms?
Looking for another free resource? Submit your CV for a free review and receive expert, personalised feedback on your job-search document.