Best free courses for professional development

The 7 best free course options: Your professional development

1. Free webinars on Youtube

It may seem trivial to you, but tutorials and training courses available on Youtube are a great way to learn and train for free. Some Youtube channels publish content on a very regular basis, and often you won't have to search long to find a video that meets your exact requirements. Many professionals from all over the world share their knowledge and know-how by posting videos on a variety of topics, giving practical and theoretical advice and helping you understand complex topics. The platform offers a variety of videos and selections, so it's a good idea to first assess the quality of content beforehand (sometimes with the help of business experts) and choose one that will be useful to support employee skills development.

2. TED conferences

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conferences are without doubt the most inspiring conferences in the world. With over 1 billion views of online content, this conference is the benchmark for conferences. The concept is simple and is that conferences are usually no more than 18 minutes long, where famous or unknown speakers share their vision, experience or a nascent idea. Listening to Bill Gates musing about education or Logan LaPlante, a 13-year-old who skipped school, are all sources of inspiration. While they cannot be tied to a specific curriculum, TEDTALKS are formats for developing open-mindedness and soft skills (critical thinking, creativity, empathy, etc.). A selection of TEDTALKS to be broadcast regularly on your organisation's internal social network will be a good way to broaden the horizons of your employees.

3. Conferences and seminars at trade events

Trade shows are a treasure trove of content. It's not uncommon for trade shows to organise a number of conferences and seminars in addition to the exhibition space, where experts share their latest innovations or discuss the latest trends. Breakfasts and after-work sessions are also a great opportunity for informal exchanges, meetings and lively discussions. It is worth finding suitable events, disseminating information about them to employees and generating interest so that as many people as possible take an active part.

4. Webinars

Webinars have become an integral part of the professional landscape in recent years. These online presentations, which usually last no more than 60 minutes, are a great opportunity to learn more about a subject, discover a solution or method, and explore a problem in depth. Different platforms offer a wide range of webinars conducted by professionals: lawyers, consultants, accountants, marketers, recruiters. Webinars are often a good opportunity to learn about a topic and area of expertise from professionals.

5. MOOCs

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), which have come to symbolise a revolution in learning, began to proliferate online in the early 2010s. These massive online courses, popularised by leading US universities such as Harvard and MIT, offer training in a video lesson format, with the option to earn a certificate in a few weeks. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from business and technology to arts and humanities. Today, MOOCs offer not only short courses, but also programmes for full-fledged higher education, including master's degrees from renowned institutions. Leading platforms are constantly evolving to offer users flexible and affordable learning solutions, making education more open and accessible to people around the world.

6. Blogs

Yes, there are many bloggers on the internet who want to showcase their skills and pass them on to their readers. Many of us think that blogging is a place to talk about road trips, make-up or fashion. Obviously, that's just the way it is. But if you look hard enough, you can find blogs offering useful content including tutorials, techniques, transcripts and videos. Typically, bloggers offering tips and training are experts in their field, either through their professional background or their own experience. Corporate blogs are also popular because of the quality of content they share with their audience. If you're looking for free training and want to learn about a particular subject quickly, a blog can be a great solution.

7. Podcasts

Podcasts have become popular again, gradually entering our daily lives. It's worth noting that the advantage of this format is that you can listen to it whenever and wherever you want: on the go, while playing sports or even while cooking. Whether you want to distract yourself from it all with podcasts about cinema, literature or science fiction, or enrich your professional knowledge with programmes about contemporary business issues, you are sure to find a podcast for you.

Conclusion: Are free courses useful after all?

We've looked at a short list of free tutorials, which should give you some ideas on how to make the most of this valuable content. Finding this kind of content can be tricky, and picking out the really worthwhile material can sometimes require expert help. But overall, it really is possible to improve your working skills, learn something new, and also help other people who need an expert opinion on your work area.