Free Online Courses

The North East is the most digitally excluded region in the country, with digital skills expected to be the biggest barrier to employment in 2030.  Over 90% of jobs are now advertised online, and the majority of these job opportunities require basic digital skills.  Therefore, it is more important than ever to support people to gain digital skills and qualifications so no one and nowhere is left behind.

Everyone who lives, works, or volunteers in Sunderland can access these free online courses to develop digital skills.  The courses listed below have been provided by Phoenix Software Limited as part of their social value contribution to Sunderland.

Build Foundation Skills for Tech Roles - Enroll Now!

• Soft Skills Learning Pathway Skills you'll learn include: decision making; teamwork; persuading others; communication and listening skills.  It will take up to two days to complete.
• Digital Literacy Skills you'll learn include: working with devices (computers, tablets and mobile phones); using the internet; digital security; getting started with Microsoft 365.  It will take up to half a day to complete.
• Entrepreneurship Learning Pathway Skills you'll learn include: testing your business idea; creating a business plan; finance essentials.  It will take up to one day to complete.

Microsoft Pre Employment Courses for in-demand roles and the skills you'll need to succeed in them - Enroll Today!

Earn a Career Essentials Professional Certificate from Microsoft.

• Admin Professional Skills you'll learn include: communication; writing; time management and must have software skills.  It will take up to two days to complete.
• Business Analysis Skills you'll learn include: agile principles; requirements; techniques; modelling; managing projects.  It will take up to three days to complete.
• Data Analysis Skills you'll learn include:  data gathering and cleaning; queries; data sets and accurate visualisations. It will take up to two days to complete.
• Generative Artifcial Intelligence Skills you'll learn include:  AI models; ethics and exploring the impact.  It will take up to half a day to complete.
• Project Manager Skills you'll learn include: budgets; communication; risk and stakeholders.  It will take up to three days to complete.
• Software Development Skills you'll learn include: programming concepts; collections; external code and fixing bugs.  It will take up to one day to complete.
• System Administration Skills you'll learn include:  operating systems; servers; basic networking; cloud administration; backup; recovery and security.  It will take up to one day to complete.

More ways to Learn

The Learning and Skills Team provide a range of support, such as: sessions to improve your maths and English; opportunities to develop skills you'll need for employment;  learn digital skills for the first time or build on your existing knowledge; improve your health, wellbeing and confidence; the Team also provide opportunities for families to learn together. Browse through the Course Directory 2023/2024. 

Sunderland College offers free flexible courses which enable you to gain the skills that  employers are looking for, and offer a guaranteed job interview upon completion of the course.  You can gain experience through an industry placement with T-Levels, the alternative qualifications after GCSE.  At Sunderland College, you can also study esports and gain skills and qualifications for employment in this exciting and rapidly growing esports industry.  Search courses.

The University of Sunderland is a top 50 UK university, providing top-quality facilities and inclusive culture.  The university provides face to face, online and distance learning, plus offers workforce development and provides advice on funding available to support you while you learn.  Discover your options.

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