Best Free Online Courses for Job Seekers

Upskill & Learn: Free Online Courses for Job Seekers

Build skills that can help you get hired

If you’re looking for work, improving your skills can give you more options and make your CV more competitive.

You don’t necessarily need to spend thousands of rand on a qualification. There are many online learning platforms offering free courses, professional training, certifications, and affordable ways to develop practical skills.

Whether you want to strengthen your existing skills, learn something completely new, qualify for a different type of job, or develop a skill you can use for freelance work, the resources below can help you get started.

Free Online Learning Platforms

You can learn a surprising amount without paying for a course. These platforms offer free learning resources across technology, business, digital marketing, workplace skills, and other areas.

Google Skillshop

Google Skillshop offers free training for a range of Google products and professional tools, including Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Marketing Platform, and other Google technologies.

Courses can be useful if you’re interested in digital marketing, advertising, analytics, or roles that require familiarity with Google’s business tools.

Explore Google Skillshop →

Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Learn provides free training and learning paths covering Microsoft products and technologies.

You’ll find resources covering areas such as Microsoft 365, Azure, data, AI, development, and other technical skills.

For job seekers working in administration, technology, data, business, or other office-based roles, improving your Microsoft skills can be a practical addition to your CV.

Explore Microsoft Learn →

HubSpot Academy

HubSpot Academy provides free online courses and certifications covering areas such as digital marketing, sales, customer service, content marketing, social media, and CRM.

These can be particularly useful if you’re interested in marketing, sales, customer support, or small-business roles.

Explore HubSpot Academy →

Coursera

Coursera offers courses from universities and companies around the world, covering subjects ranging from business and technology to data science and personal development.

Many courses can be accessed without paying for the full certificate, while professional certificates and other features may require payment.

Explore Coursera →

Alison

Thousands of Online Courses & Career Skills

Alison offers thousands of online courses covering subjects such as business, technology, healthcare, languages, personal development, and workplace skills.

Many courses can be studied for free, with optional paid certificates and diplomas.

Alison can be particularly useful if you want to explore a new subject before committing to a more expensive qualification.

Explore Alison Courses →

What Skills Should You Learn?

The best skills to learn depends on the type of work you’re looking for and the skills employers are asking for.

If you want to…	Consider learning…
Improve your office skills	Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft 365
Become more competitive for admin roles	Excel, data management, customer service, communication
Move into digital marketing	SEO, social media, content marketing, Google Ads, analytics
Develop technology skills	Coding, data analysis, cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity
Move into project management	Project management, Agile, communication, organisation
Improve your chances of remote work	Digital communication, collaboration tools, customer support
Start freelancing	Writing, graphic design, web design, marketing, virtual assistance
Change careers	Skills and qualifications relevant to your target industry

Before paying for a course, look at current job advertisements for the type of position you want. This can help you identify which skills employers are actually requesting.

Read our article on the 5 top skills employers look for in a CV and how to showcase them.

Don’t Just Collect Certificates

A certificate can look good on your CV, but the skill behind it is what matters.

When choosing a course, ask yourself:

Will I actually use this skill in the type of job I want?
Do employers ask for this skill in their job advertisements?
Will I be able to demonstrate what I’ve learned?
Can I create a project or portfolio example using the skill?
Does the course provide practical exercises rather than only theory?
Is the certificate recognised or relevant to the industry?

If possible, put your new knowledge into practice. A small project, portfolio example, completed exercise, or practical demonstration can sometimes tell an employer more than a list of certificates.

Use Your New Skills on Your CV

Once you’ve developed a new skill, don’t forget to update your CV.

Add relevant skills to your skills section and, where appropriate, mention courses or certifications you’ve completed.

Even better, demonstrate how you’ve used the skill. For example, instead of simply listing “Excel”, you could mention that you created spreadsheets, analysed data, or built reports using Excel.

For more advice, visit our CV Tips & Tools page.

Learn Skills That Can Also Make You Money

Upskilling doesn’t only have to help you find a traditional job.

Skills such as graphic design, writing, digital marketing, web development, video editing, bookkeeping, virtual assistance, and social media management can potentially be used for freelance or side-hustle work.

If you’re interested in earning extra income while searching for a permanent position, take a look at our Side Hustles for Job Seekers page.

How to Choose an Online Course

With thousands of online courses available, it’s easy to spend more time choosing a course than actually completing one.

Before enrolling, consider:

Start with your goal.
Decide what job, career, or skill you’re working towards.

Check job advertisements.
Look at the requirements employers are currently asking for.

Compare course content.
Make sure the course teaches the specific skills you need.

Consider the cost.
Free courses can be an excellent starting point. Don’t assume an expensive course is automatically better.

Check the time commitment.
Choose something you can realistically complete.

Look at the certificate.
Find out whether the certificate has genuine value for your intended career.

Prioritise practical learning.
Choose courses that allow you to practise what you’re learning.

Keep Learning While You Job Hunt

You don’t have to wait until you get a job to keep developing your career.

Even an hour or two of learning each week can help you strengthen existing skills, explore new career options, and build knowledge that you can use in future applications.

Choose skills that support the type of work you actually want to do, keep track of what you learn, and look for opportunities to put those skills into practice.

Then update your CV, keep applying for suitable positions, and use your new knowledge to give yourself more options in the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there really free online courses?

Yes. Several established learning platforms provide free courses, training resources, or free access to course content. Some platforms charge for certificates, assessments, or additional features, so check the terms before enrolling.

Can online courses help me get a job?

They can help you develop relevant knowledge and skills, but completing a course does not guarantee employment.
The most useful courses are those that teach skills relevant to the jobs you’re applying for and that you can demonstrate through practical work or examples.

What skills are most useful for getting a job?

There isn’t one universal list because skills vary by industry and role. However, digital skills, communication, Microsoft Office skills, data skills, customer service, project management, and industry-specific technical skills are commonly useful across different types of employment.
The best approach is to look at current job advertisements in your target field and identify recurring skill requirements.

Should I pay for an online course?

Not necessarily. Start by looking for reputable free learning resources. If you need more structured training, practical projects, specialist instruction, or a recognised qualification, paying for a course may make sense.
Always compare the course content, cost, reputation, and relevance to your career goals before paying.

Are online course certificates worth putting on my CV?

They can be, particularly when the course is relevant to the position and comes from a reputable provider.
However, avoid filling your CV with unrelated certificates. Focus on training that demonstrates useful skills for the jobs you’re targeting.

How can I choose a course that employers will value?

Look at current job advertisements for your target role and identify the skills employers repeatedly request.
Then choose training that helps you develop those skills. Industry-recognised qualifications and certifications can be particularly valuable where employers specifically mention them as requirements or preferences.

Can I learn skills for freelancing online?

Yes. Online courses can help you develop skills that can potentially be offered as freelance services, including writing, graphic design, web development, digital marketing, video editing, bookkeeping, and virtual assistance.
Once you have developed a skill, you can explore freelance marketplaces and other side-hustle opportunities.

How much time should I spend upskilling while looking for a job?

There is no fixed amount. Even a few hours a week can make a difference if you focus on skills that are relevant to your career goals.
Try to balance learning with applying for suitable jobs, networking, and preparing for interviews. The goal is to become more employable, not to spend all your time collecting courses.