GALWAY, IRELAND – 2026-06-19
Alison, one of the world's largest free online empowerment platforms, is celebrating the establishment of a partnership with Na'amal, a mission-driven organisation dedicated to creating sustainable digital livelihoods for refugees and under-resourced communities. Through a shared commitment to accessible education and employability, Alison and Na'amal are helping learners develop the skills needed to participate in the digital economy and access meaningful work opportunities.
Learning Without Borders
As global displacement reaches unprecedented levels and labour markets continue to evolve through digital transformation and artificial intelligence, access to quality education and skills training has become increasingly important. Refugees and displaced communities often face significant barriers to employment despite possessing valuable skills and ambition.
Na'amal works to bridge this gap by equipping learners with professional, technical and workplace skills while connecting them to mentorship, employment pathways and digital work opportunities. Alison's free online learning platform complements this mission by providing accessible education that can be accessed by learners regardless of location or circumstance.
Turning Skills into Opportunity
Since it was established, Na’amal has trained over 1500 individuals with a 60% placement rate, Through the Na'amal Agency, 135 displaced professionals have been connected to paid project-based work opportunities, earning an average of 400USD per project. Alongside digital and soft skills development and work-readiness training, Na'amal has expanded its focus to AI skills, helping learners build capabilities in emerging technologies to prepare for the future of work. The organisation also strengthened partnerships and continued its advocacy for inclusive digital employment opportunities.
Through its collaboration with organisations such as Na'amal, Alison continues to support initiatives that make education accessible and help learners develop practical skills that can lead to employment, entrepreneurship and career progression.
Creating Lasting Impact Through Education
The partnership reflects a shared belief that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not always follow. By combining online learning with communities of learning, mentorship, employability support and direct pathways into work, Alison and Na'amal are helping to create sustainable outcomes for individuals facing barriers to employment.
Olivia Cosgrove, Head of Social Impact at Alison, said:
"Education has the power to unlock opportunity, regardless of geography or circumstance. Our partnership with Na'amal demonstrates how accessible learning, combined with targeted support and employment pathways, can help talented individuals build brighter futures. We are proud to support organisations that are creating meaningful impact for refugee communities and helping learners develop the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world."
Lorraine Charles, Founder and Executive Director at Na’amal, said:
“At Na’amal, we know that skills training is only one part of the journey to meaningful work. Refugees and under-resourced communities also need mentorship, confidence, networks and real pathways into paid opportunities. Our partnership with Alison supports this by giving learners access to flexible, practical education that strengthens their readiness for the digital economy. Together, we are helping expand access to the tools and opportunities people need to move from learning to earning.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Na'amal plans to expand its reach further, with ambitions to train and connect 10,000 displaced learners and under-resourced communities to paid work opportunities by 2030. Alison remains committed to supporting organisations and learners worldwide through free, flexible and accessible education that helps individuals realise their potential and participate fully in the global economy.
Resources
Learn with Alison: https://alison.com
Explore Alison’s Learning Management System: https://alison.com/lms/
Learn more about Na'amal: https://naamal.org
Ends
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited Learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
In 2026, Alison will launch a Global Recruitment Service to directly connect skilled, motivated Learners with hiring employers. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world's first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
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About Na’amal
Na’amal is a mission-driven organisation creating sustainable digital livelihoods for refugees and under-resourced communities. Through skills training, mentorship, employability support and direct pathways to paid work, Na’amal helps learners build the capabilities and confidence needed to access remote and digital work opportunities.
Na’amal works with partners across the education, technology, humanitarian and employment sectors to bridge the gap between learning and earning. Its programmes support learners with human (soft) skills, digital skills and AI skills, while the Na’amal Agency connects trained professionals to paid client projects in areas such as web development, design, branding and full-stack technology solutions.
