GALWAY, IRELAND – 2026-02-12
Alison has surpassed 15 million Learners across Asia, marking a major milestone in the region’s growing focus on practical, workplace-relevant skills. The milestone reflects how Learners across Asia are increasingly using online learning to strengthen employability, progress in their careers, and stay competitive in fast-moving labour markets.
A Region Defined by Competition and Opportunity
Across Asia, job markets are expanding rapidly, but competition remains intense. From graduates entering crowded entry-level pipelines to professionals seeking promotion, Learners are prioritising skills that help them stand out and demonstrate capability. This shift reflects a broader move towards skills-first employability, where what someone can do is increasingly valued alongside traditional credentials.
Upskilling for Mobility, Career Progression, and Cross-Border Opportunity
Asia’s workforce is also shaped by mobility. Many Learners are preparing for new opportunities across regions, industries, and employment models, including remote and internationally distributed work. In this context, upskilling has become a practical way to improve career options, build confidence, and access better roles without needing to step away from employment.
Responding to Rapid Sector Change Across Asia’s Economies
Across Asia’s diverse economies, industries are evolving quickly. Digital transformation, automation, and AI adoption are reshaping job requirements across functions, from administration and customer support to marketing, management, and operations. Learners are increasingly investing in applied skills that help them stay relevant as roles change and expectations shift.
Scale, Access, and a Young Workforce
Asia is home to one of the world’s largest and youngest workforces. This creates enormous potential, but also a pressing need for accessible learning at scale. For many Learners, the challenge is not motivation, but access. Flexible online learning plays a key role in enabling skill development without the cost barriers, location constraints, or rigid schedules of traditional education.
Closing the Skills Gap Through Accessible Online Learning
Alison’s milestone of surpassing 15 million Learners across Asia aligns with a wider global workforce challenge. The World Economic Forum reports that six in ten workers will require training by 2027, yet only half currently have access to adequate training opportunities. In Asia, where workforce growth and skills demand continue to rise, accessible learning is becoming increasingly important for individuals and employers alike.
Through more than 6,000 free online Certificate and Diploma courses, Alison supports Learners in building job-ready skills, regardless of financial background or location, positioning the platform as a key enabler of skills development across the region.
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Resources
Alison offers a range of free online learning and career development tools. These include online Certificate and Diploma courses focused on workplace and professional skills; a Career Ready Plan that helps individuals explore and prepare for potential career paths; and psychometric assessments such as the Workplace Personality Assessment and the Mental Wellbeing Assessment, which provide insight into work styles, strengths, and wellbeing.
Alison has supported millions globally. Watch learner stories that highlight different learning and career journeys here.
Media Contact
For further information, contact the media team at [email protected].
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 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.
