GALWAY, IRELAND – 2026-01-08
Alison, a global leader in free workplace skills training and career development tools, announced that its Learners completed more than three million courses in 2025 – a 22% increase on 2024. The milestone reflects growing demand for practical skills as the global job market continues to evolve.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, nearly a quarter of today’s jobs are expected to change by 2030. While around 170 million new roles are forecast to be created, 92 million are likely to be displaced, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs. The report also estimates that six in ten workers will need additional training by 2030, with skill gaps identified by employers as the biggest obstacle to business transformation.
Course Completion as a Signal of Commitment in a Changing Job Market
As job roles evolve and skills requirements shift, completing a course has become a more meaningful indicator of progress than enrolment alone. Many adults express an interest in learning, but following through remains difficult. The OECD reports that participation in adult learning is declining in several countries, with one in four adults encountering barriers to participation – primarily lack of time due to work or family commitments, followed by cost.
Viewed against this backdrop, more than three million course completions in a single year reflect sustained engagement from Alison Learners who are fitting study around real-world constraints. It points to learning that is not aspirational, but practical and embedded into daily life.
Skills Gaps, Shift in Hiring Practices, and the Importance of Demonstrated Learning
While employers are increasingly vocal about the need for skills-based hiring, the transition away from traditional credentials has been uneven. Research by the Burning Glass Institute and Harvard Business School shows a significant rise in job postings that remove degree requirements, yet only a limited change in actual hiring outcomes. This gap between stated intent and real-world practice highlights the importance of credible and accessible ways for individuals to build and demonstrate their skills.
Higher course completion rates suggest that Learners are not only responding to labour market changes, but also actively preparing for them by building evidence of capability, persistence, and applied learning — qualities that employers continue to value.
Supporting Learning Outcomes Beyond Courses
To support Learners as they continue to build skills, Alison provides a broader ecosystem of career development resources alongside its 6,000+ free courses. Learners can access free psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health Assessment, and English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests. Tools that support career growth, including a Career Ready Plan, Career Guide, and a Resumé Builder, also help Learners translate learning into practical next steps.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System, with a premium option available. The company has also announced plans to launch a Global Recruitment Service in 2026 to help connect skilled Learners with employers worldwide.
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Alison offers thousands of free courses focused on practical skills, confidence building, and career readiness. Learner stories, experiences, and outcomes can be found on the Alison testimonials page.
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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 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.
