Free platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy are revolutionising education, offering affordable and flexible pathways to in-demand tech skills. From students to mid-career professionals, millions now turn to online learning to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market, JUSTICE OKAMGBA, writes
The hunger for technology skills has turned online education into a booming global industry. Worth some $203bn this year, the market has been fuelled by platforms promising to democratise learning, often for free.
Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, edX and Khan Academy, among others, have become gateways for workers hoping to future-proof their careers and for students seeking affordable alternatives to expensive universities.
These platforms now sit at the heart of modern training and education. Their users span schoolchildren brushing up on algebra to mid-career professionals scrambling to master data science or artificial intelligence. The catalogue is a sprawling business strategy, code, design, and even literature, reflecting a world where lifelong learning has shifted from aspiration to necessity.