This year has not panned out how any of us envisaged, yet here we are. Despite the crisis, the world keeps on spinning and key services bubble away beneath the surface of the stormy waves.
Rather than put our hopes and dreams aside, perhaps this is the year to do the opposite. To rethink. To upskill. To re-educate and plan for a different, better post-pandemic future.
Several colleges, TAFEs and universities have embraced this opportunity by offering online courses, many at a significantly discounted price, to enable current students and those seeking to brush up on their transferable skill sets to undertake studies remotely.
If you have found yourself unstuck due to the coronavirus crisis, and you’re not quite sure what’s next, cast your eye over the following online courses. Maybe this is an opportunity for you to expand your horizons both in work and in personal development.
FREE TAFE Courses
Across the country, emergency funding has been provided to train workers for the key industries and sectors that are needed most. Australian states and territories have responded differently, although free online course offerings are focussed around health care services, building and construction, educational support, financial services, digital skills, small business support, marketing and transportation.
- Emergency funding was provided to Victoria TAFE institutions to help facilitate remote and online learning opportunities across the state.
- The NSW Government announced 21 new fee-free TAFE NSW short courses to assist those who want to upskill.
- Queensland residents have the option to retrain in a new area or build on their existing skills via funded training courses with TAFE Queensland.
- The Northern Territory Government funded a range of free short courses to provide Territorians with practical skills for work.
- To rebuild communities and businesses in WA, several free and half price qualifications have been made available by the Government of Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development.
- Subsidised courses are available to South Australians via TAFE SA.
- A series of free courses is being offered by the University of Tasmania designed to help people navigate the challenges of the corona virus.
Independent online education platforms
Online study platforms are winning in lock down and COVID-restricted areas where people are staying home. If you would rather commit to short courses over lengthy studies, browse through the following remote learning hubs.
Skillshare
Skillshare is on online learning community for creatives to teach and learn new things. Sign up for online creative short courses via subscription access. Subjects include illustration, writing, photography, animation, graphic design and more. See what’s on offer here: www.skillshare.com/home
Udemy
There are thousands of courses available via Udemy, a global marketplace for online study. Learn how to build your own WordPress site, train in Instagram marketing or take part in a public relations masterclass. There are literally thousands of affordable short courses available on Udemy. If you’re keen to upskill go to: www.udemy.com
Class Central
Think of Class Central as a search engine to discover short online courses offered by over 900 universities around the world. Search your way through a catalogue of studies such as The Science of Well-Being from Yale University, Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies from Harvard University, Fashion as Design from The Museum of Modern Art and so much more. Take your pick from www.classcentral.com.
LinkedIn Learning
A subsidiary of LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning offers video courses taught by industry professionals. Educate yourselves in business, creative, and technology skills to meet your personal and professional goals.
Have you considered going back to study this year? There’s enough online learning links here to help your research. Or perhaps you’ve already committed to an online course? Whether your plan is to up skill or retrain, we’d love to know. Alternatively, if are aware of any other remote learning hubs that we have not covered here, please let us know in the comments below.
