Why Free Learning is the Best Way to Learn New Skills?

Table of Contents(TOC):

• Introduction 
• Accessibility and Democratization of Education 
• Cost-Effectiveness and Reduced Financial Risk
• Flexibility and Self-Paced Learning 
• Abundance of High-Quality Free Resources 
• Practical Application and Real-World Skills 
• Potential Drawbacks and How to Overcome Them
• The New Upskiller’s Starter Kit
• Conclusion 
• Bonus Points

Introduction

There is a reason why career experts sing praises of Upskilling. With benefits ranging from landing promotions and improved compensation to futureproofing one’s career, learning new skills regularly is not a new phenomenon, but it is undeniably effective. 

However, if you have tried to commit to Upskilling, you might have faced a very common problem. The general recommendation is that professionals learn new skills every six months – or more, if your industry is particularly fast-paced and competitive. You may have found that some of the best online courses come with a hefty paywall or hidden charges (the worst!), making it difficult to learn new things regularly. 

Online courses can also be rigid in other ways, especially if they include scheduled live classes, outdated curricula, and poor student support. How do professionals navigate these only-too-common pitfalls in their quest to retain their professional growth? With free learning, of course!

Accessibility and Democratization of Education

• With most free-learning courses being delivered online, it makes upskilling and learning new skills more accessible than ever before. 
• Professionals can now Google the skills they need to develop, and find free online courses with certificates with a few clicks. 
• With popular Youtube Channels offering hours of free learning content delivered by experts, and online platforms like UniAthena providing 600+ free-learning online courses, the democratization of learning has broken barriers to education.  

Cost-Effectiveness & Reduced Financial Risk

• Free learning has eliminated economic barriers to personal and professional development, particularly for learners on a budget.
• Thanks to the minimal financial commitment required, learners can explore courses without a hefty upfront cost, and exit free of charge if they wish to. 
• This is in stark contrast to paid academic programs and online skills courses, which learners may feel obliged to see through due to the financial commitments made. 

Flexibility and Self-Paced Learning

• One of the key obstacles to upskilling commitments is the modern-day professionals’ busy and unforgiving schedules.
• Aside from working full-time, professionals also have personal and social commitments that require attention, leaving little to no time to develop new skills. 
• Online skill courses, particularly free courses, offer self-paced learning, which allows professionals to learn as per their convenience and availability. 
• It also helps cultivate self-discipline, an often underrated skill that becomes essential when there are no deadlines or instructors to stay accountable to.

Abundance of High-Quality Free Resources

• It is an outdated yet widespread assumption that anything that does not cost an arm and a leg is inherently of poorer quality. 
• There are a plethora of free-learning websites and online skills courses that allow students to learn from experts, on almost every topic imaginable. 
• UniAthena’s free-learning Short Courses, for instance, are developed by experienced tutors to prepare students for professional success. 

Practical Application and Real-World Skills

• With a growing emphasis on applicability and departure from archaic theory, most free learning courses offer real-world skills.
• This not only makes the free courses worth the time and effort invested, but also indicates the impact these online courses have on day-to-day productivity. 
• When professionals consistently build key in-demand skills, it directly improves their workplace performance and sets them on the path to career success. 

Potential Drawbacks and How to Overcome Them

• One potential drawback is the lack of certification or uncertainty around the value of such a certification. However, that can be remedied by picking the right free learning website. 
• UniAthena partners with reputable international bodies, like Cambridge International Qualifications and Acacia University Professional Development, to offer quality certifications affordably. 

The New Upskiller’s Starter Kit

• If you are interested in unlocking the power of free learning courses and experiencing the benefits of consistently upskilling yourself, then we have some options for you to explore.
• UniAthena’s Short Courses platform, spanning over 600+ free learning online courses across 20+ domains, is a great place to start. 

Here are some of our recommendations: 

1. Basics of Digital Marketing

• This free learning short course is designed to help beginners grasp the fundamentals of Digital Marketing. 
• Featuring byte-sized lessons about the origin and development of modern-day marketing, and how it differs from traditional methods, this program can be completed in as little as 4 hours!
• Study at your own pace, and earn a free Certification from Cambridge International Qualifications, UK, in the end. 

2. Basics of Data Science

• The Basics of Data Science is another beginner-friendly free learning course that will explore the key principles of Data Science.
• The course explores extracting meaningful insights from data, methodologies for data cleaning, data analytics, and so on. 
• Complete this free learning online course in as little as four hours, and earn a certificate from Cambridge International Qualifications, UK, free of charge. 

3. Basic of Safety Management

• The Basics of Safety Management is a perfect introductory program for any Environment, Health, and Safety aspirant. 
• The program curriculum explores hazard analysis, emergency preparedness, TSM, nurturing a safety-first culture, and many other crucial topics. 
• The program is self-paced, with an expected learning duration of 4 - 6 hours. Complete it and earn a free certificate from Cambridge International Qualifications, UK. 

4. Basics of Legal Writing

• This is a free learning course that offers aspiring paralegals and other legal professionals the opportunity to master the art of legal writing. 
• The curriculum features key insights, including the different types of legal writing, skills required for effective legal writing, and key document features. 
• Complete this free learning course in as little as 4 hours, and earn a free certificate from Cambridge International Qualifications, UK.

Conclusion

The explosion of upskilling has offered professionals worldwide an opportunity to learn new skills. Free online education acts as a cherry on top, eliminating any financial constraints that professionals face on their journey to skill development. With the additional benefits of low risk, flexible, quality and relevant free courses, professionals can now commit to regular free learning programs for maximum skill development and professional progress. 

Bonus Points:

• According to Devlin Peck, 52% of employees confess that they need to upskill within the next year to keep their careers moving ahead.
• Upskilling is not an individual endeavour, but a strategic undertaking that organisations must prioritise to ensure a future-ready workforce.