The job market has evolved to favor those with skills, not just degrees.
According to ADP, 90% of global companies report that workers with the relevant skills perform better and are more likely to retain their jobs than those hired based on degrees, certificates, or years of experience.
Online short courses are always a good way to upskill and earn more income, especially during these harsh economic times.
Here are 9 free marketable online short courses you can learn today:
- Graphic design
Graphic design skills can be applied in almost every industry, from digital marketing and web design to fashion and entertainment.
A graphic design course typically entails learning design principles like typography and color theory as well as how to use tools like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
Equipped with your graphic design skills, you can make a lucrative career by creating logos, posters, websites, brochures, flyers, and social media graphics for clients.
Platforms that offer free graphic design courses include Envanto, YouTube, Alison, and Great Learning.
- Copywriting
If you’re looking to turn your writing skills into a lucrative career, you may want to enroll in a copywriting course.
Copywriting entails writing text to promote a product, service, or idea. The aim of copywriting is to persuade a reader to take a specific action, be it to purchase a product, click a link, or sign up for a service. There are various forms of copywriting, including blog posts, product descriptions, and social media posts.
As a copywriter, you can monetize your skills by freelancing on platforms like Upwork. You can also start your own blog or charge clients and businesses to update their websites.
Alternatively, you can become a social media ghostwriter, updating LinkedIn and Twitter profiles for clients. You can access free copywriting courses on platforms like Coursera and Alison.
- Video editing
Businesses and brands are increasingly relying on video content for marketing, with Statistica reporting that 92% of online users can view online videos. Consequently, the demand for skilled video editors is on the rise across all industries, from entertainment to marketing and healthcare.
If you’re interested in making a living as a video editor, you can enroll in a free video editing course on platforms like Udemy, Great Learning, and Digi Skills. In these courses, you will learn about the different types of video formats, video editing techniques, various types of cuts, sound editing, and how to add visual effects.
You can then monetize your skills by creating a YouTube channel, creating marketing videos for businesses, offering classes on video editing, or freelancing on platforms like Upwork.
- Data analysis
According to Fortune Business Insights, the data analytics market was worth $41.05 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow to $ 279.31 billion by 2030, which shows the growing demand for data analysts across all industries, from business to technology to healthcare.
By enrolling in a data analytics course, you will learn how to extract, analyze, and manipulate data using tools like Microsoft Excel, MySQL, and Python.
With your skills as a data analyst, you can work in industries like finance, healthcare, or marketing, analyzing data to guide business strategies. Alternatively, you can offer your services as a freelancer or consultant. You can enroll for free data analysis courses on Coursera, Simplilearn, and Alison.
- Digital Marketing
Digital marketing skills are a must-have if you’re looking to grow your business on the Internet.
By enrolling in a digital marketing course, you will gain knowledge on all facets of digital marketing, including social media marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and marketing Analytics.
You can then monetize your skills by helping businesses market their products and services online and across social media platforms.
You can find free digital marketing courses on platforms like HubSpot and Alison.
- Cybersecurity
A cybersecurity course entails learning how to protect computers and other digital assets from cyberattacks.
Here, you will learn the basics of cybersecurity, the different types of cyber threats, data encryption methods, programming languages, different types of operating systems, and ethical hacking, among other topics.
Having gained the skills, you can monetize them by working as a freelance cybersecurity consultant for businesses and individuals. Additionally, you can train people, companies, and organizations on how they can protect themselves from cyber threats.
You can access free cybersecurity courses on platforms like YouTube, Coursera, Great Learning, and Palo Alto.
- Website design
Having a strong internet presence has become a necessity for brands and businesses today. One of the most important ways that businesses can build this presence is by having a website where they can showcase their products and services.
With this ever-increasing need for websites, the demand for skilled web designers has emerged.
If you’re willing to learn basic programming skills and have an eye for aesthetics, you can pursue a website design course, where you will learn the basics of web designing, coding languages, computer graphics, and how to use design software like Adobe Illustrator.
You can then monetize your web design skills by freelancing, starting a web design agency, offering website maintenance services, or selling website templates that you may have designed.
You can find free web design courses on platforms like Great Learning, Web Flow, and Udemy.
- Virtual assistance
With the rising popularity of remote work, virtual assistants have become invaluable to businesses and organizations looking to cut operational costs.
A virtual assistant is someone who provides technical, creative, or administrative support to businesses and clients in remote locations. Their job is to help the client manage their daily tasks, such as scheduling meetings, booking appointments, and managing their email communications.
Virtual assistants can specialize in social media management, SEO, content creation, graphic design, or any other niche. They can monetize their skills by marketing their services on social media platforms or by freelancing on platforms like LinkedIn and Upwork.
You can find free virtual assistance courses on platforms like Alison, Virtual Assistant Academy, and Udemy.
- Machine learning and AI
Machine learning entails creating intelligent AI machines that learn from experience instead of relying on programming to advance their knowledge and capabilities.
It entails creating machines that can automate processes such as weather forecasting, customer service, and virus filtering. Career opportunities in machine learning include machine learning engineers, data scientists, artificial intelligence (AI) researchers, and data analysts.
To delve into this industry, you can enroll in a free online course on platforms like Google, YouTube, and Kaggle.
You can then monetize your skills by creating and selling AI chatbots, freelancing on platforms like LinkedIn, and using AI tools for content creation.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to upskill or learn a new digital skill, you may consider enrolling for any of these free marketable short courses on copywriting, graphic design, video editing, data analysis, digital marketing, cyber security, web design, virtual assistance, or machine learning.
The good thing is that all these online courses are free and marketable, meaning you can learn them at your convenience.
