“I want to learn a new skill and get back to the workplace, but I don’t think I can commit to a course for a year or two.”
A common enough sentiment as the economy kicks back into gear after the pandemic. There is no question but that the world of work has seen unprecedented change in recent years: the pandemic had a huge impact on society at all levels and resulted in many of us rethinking how, why and where we work. Upskilling, reskilling or developing a new interest entirely can help advance your career or open up new opportunities.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to go back to college, you don’t necessarily need a formal qualification and, these days, there is so much you can learn online in a way that works for you.
Solas eCollege
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The past few years have seen eCollege.ie, an online flexible learning initiative from Solas, the further education and training agency, really take off.
Solas opened up access to eCollege.ie at the start of the pandemic as a way of delivering remote training to people who want to develop new skills.
The courses are designed in such a way that learners can study at a time and place that works best for them. So, for my friend quoted above who also has children, that means she could study in the morning when they are at school, in the evenings when they’re in bed or at the weekend if they’re out on a playdate.
All the courses have tutor support from Monday to Friday and all result in industry certification.
Ecollege.ie includes courses in business, computer programming, data science, databases, IT, office productivity and web and graphic design.
All the courses are free, including tuition, course materials, software and exams.
Another option is to visit the Further Education and Training Course Hub at fetchcourses.ie. The site offers a range of education options including apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services provided through the Education and Training Board (ETB) network.
Informal learning
While some employers want to know that you have a formal qualification in a particular area, others will simply look at your degree and education history and be happy enough that you have a proven capacity to learn.
So, with this in mind, you sometimes just need to learn a particular skill - without necessarily having to sit an exam. Often, this involves simply showing potential employers that you have the skill they need, perhaps through a project you have worked on in a voluntary capacity.
Where can you do all these courses?
- YouTube, Vimeo and other sites: If you want to put up a shelf but have no DIY skills, you can do a short tutorial on YouTube, and it’s no different for any other skill. There are thousands of free online videos that can help you develop whatever skill you need. KhanAcademy.org is particularly useful here, with over 7,000 free online videos and lectures on a range of topics. GoHighbrow.com is another interesting option that swerves a major time commitment: the site delivers a new five-minute lesson to your email inbox every morning, and there are hundreds of topics to choose from
- Online CPD: The Irish Management Institute (IMI) delivers a range of online courses to help people develop their skills and abilities in areas such as leadership, people management, negotiation and personal development. Digital Charity Lab, meanwhile, runs a number of relatively short elearning courses for those working in the not-for-profit sector with a particular focus on digital skills, including how to make the most efficient use of emails, Facebook ad strategies, using Google adwords and grants and how to optimise your website to increase engagement and conversions. Digital Charity Lab also runs training events and its website, DigitalCharityLab.org, has a range of handy free resources and cheat sheets that can help you wrap your head around some of the basics.
Volunteering
Volunteering is an excellent way not just to pick up some new skills, but to challenge yourself, grow as a person and develop your confidence.
So, if you’re looking to break into a different or new area, it can be useful to approach a charity, campaign group or local organisation and offer your services. If you want to work with animals, approach a local animal rescue shelter. If you want to work on, say, developing UX skills, approach an organisation and see if there is any design work you could do for them. If you want to work in a role that will involve good communication and listening skills, perhaps consider helping out with a phone or text support line. Many organisations will provide specific training for the volunteer role, particularly if it involves supporting vulnerable people.
