GALWAY, IRELAND – 2025-11-28
Alison, one of the world’s largest free online learning platforms, has launched a new feature that allows Learners to suggest course topics directly from the platform. The update strengthens Alison’s commitment to community-led learning and ensures that future course development reflects real demand from its global user base.
The feature appears whenever a Learner searches for a course that does not yet exist on the platform, or when filters on Explore pages return no results. Instead of encountering a dead-end, Learners are now prompted to share what they would like to learn next.
This suggestion is sent straight to Alison’s Publishing Team, giving Learners a direct channel to influence future course development. By capturing unmet learning needs as they arise, Alison can identify emerging trends, expand content coverage, and develop new learning pathways that reflect real-world interests.
Empowering Learners Through Co-Creation
The Course Suggestions feature supports Alison’s long-standing belief that meaningful education is shaped by the people who use it. With more than 50 million registered Learners worldwide, the platform now captures insights directly from its audience to guide what content is needed most.
This approach not only reduces friction for online Learners, but also ensures that Alison’s platform remains responsive to new industries, workplace shifts, and emerging skills across global and local job markets.
Ciaran Cannon, VP of Global Affairs at Alison, says:
“When a Learner can’t find the course they need, they shouldn’t hit a wall. They should have a voice. This update gives people the power to tell us exactly what skills they want to build next, and it gives our Publishing team a clear signal of where to focus. It’s a simple change with a powerful impact on how our platform grows.”
The feature forms part of a wider effort to improve Learner experience across the platform and make self-directed learning more personalised, intuitive, and responsive. It also supports Alison’s mission to provide free, accessible, and relevant education to anyone, anywhere.
With over 6,000 free courses already available and more added every week, Alison’s new Course Suggestions feature gives its global community an active role in shaping the platform's future.
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Explore Alison’s free courses to boost productivity, decision-making, and communication. Download the Alison App for Android or iOS to access courses and receive reminders on your mobile device. For tips on building consistent online study routines, visit the Alison Blog.
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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 Numeracy, 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 2025, Alison is launching a Global Recruitment Service to connect employers directly with skilled, motivated Learners. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with full 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.
