GALWAY, IRELAND – 8th September 2025
Alison, one of the world’s largest free online learning platforms, has reaffirmed its mission to democratise education with a global pledge to mark International Literacy Day 2025. With literacy central to empowerment and economic opportunity, this initiative underscores Alison’s core belief that education is a right, not a privilege.
Literacy remains a key challenge worldwide, with more than 754 million adults lacking basic reading and writing skills, according to UNESCO. International Literacy Day highlights this urgent global issue. Alison, founded to break down barriers to education, continues to play a leading role in tackling literacy and skill gaps by offering over 5,500 free courses online, empowering millions of learners globally.
As part of its International Literacy Day celebrations, Alison’s 100% remote worldwide workforce came together to record a video pledge reaffirming its commitment to education for everyone, everywhere. Delivered by Alison team members from across departments and roles, the pledge reinforces Alison’s mission to remove financial and geographic barriers to learning, while spotlighting the power of free online education to transform lives and communities.
Watch the full video here and join Alison’s mission for a fairer world.
The renewed pledge directly benefits learners across 193 countries who rely on Alison to gain literacy, skills, and career opportunities without cost. From young students in underserved regions to professionals reskilling for future industries, Alison’s platform ensures that no learner is excluded from knowledge, as it graduates over 10,000 learners every single day. Employers and educators also benefit from a more skilled, globally connected workforce, aligning with the needs of rapidly evolving labour markets.
“International Literacy Day is a reminder that education underpins freedom, equality, and opportunity,” said Mike Feerick, CEO of Alison. “Our mission remains unchanged: to break down barriers to learning and make education accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.”
Alison’s commitment does not end with this pledge. The platform is scaling its multilingual content offerings to make courses available in more languages, starting with Spanish, and preparing to launch an innovative recruitment service connecting learners with global employers. These initiatives reflect Alison’s broader vision of building an inclusive, borderless education system that empowers individuals and communities worldwide.
For more information, visit www.alison.com.
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 45 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of 8th September, 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively — at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 5,500 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), enabling 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 Workforce Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing, English Language Proficiency, Numeracy, Verbal and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
In 2025, Alison is launching a Global Recruitment Service, connecting 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.
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