GALWAY, IRELAND - 2026-08-20

Alison, one of the world’s largest free online empowerment platforms, has reached more than 500,000 Learners in Ireland, marking a major milestone in the country where the company was founded.

The achievement means that approximately one in ten people in Ireland has used the Galway-founded platform. It reflects sustained demand for flexible learning among people looking to build workplace skills, prepare for career changes, or continue developing in an economy where the skills people need rarely remain static.

A Strong Digital Foundation Creates New Expectations

In 2025, 83% of people aged 16 to 74 in Ireland had at least basic digital skills, according to Eurostat. That was the second-highest proportion in the European Union and placed Ireland above the EU’s target of 80% by 2030.

The figures reflect the country's strong digital foundation. They also point to the next challenge: helping people continue developing their skills as technology, workplaces, and the economy evolve.

For many people, the question is no longer simply whether they can participate in a digital economy. It is whether they can keep pace as artificial intelligence, automation, and the transition to a low-carbon economy reshape existing roles and create demand for new capabilities.

Reaching 500,000 Learners shows that many people in Ireland are already responding by taking greater ownership of their development. 

Ireland’s Skills Advantage Depends on Continuous Learning

Ireland’s highly skilled workforce has been central to its economic success. However, maintaining that advantage will require continued investment in lifelong learning.

The OECD Skills Strategy Ireland identified increasing participation in lifelong learning as an important national priority. It also highlighted the need to strengthen incentives for individuals and employers while making learning opportunities more flexible and accessible.

As work continues to evolve, adaptability is becoming just as important as initial qualifications. Learning increasingly needs to happen throughout a person's career, rather than being concentrated at the beginning. As jobs, technologies, and industries change, people may need to update their skills, prepare for new responsibilities, or build capability before moving into a different field.

Alison's growth in Ireland reflects this demand for flexible learning. Free, self-paced courses give people a practical way to build confidence before applying for a role, preparing for promotion, returning to work, or exploring a new career path.

Half a Million Learners Show the Demand Is Already There

Alison was founded in Galway in 2007 with the belief that education and skills training should be freely accessible to everyone, everywhere. Reaching more than 500,000 Learners in Ireland gives that global mission particular significance at home.

The milestone brings together people from different regions, professions, ages, and stages of life. What connects them is a willingness to invest time in building their knowledge when learning is relevant, accessible, and flexible enough to fit their circumstances.

Ireland’s strong digital-skills performance demonstrates what sustained investment in education and capability can achieve. The next challenge is ensuring that those skills continue to evolve as quickly as the economy around them.

More than half a million Alison Learners in Ireland have already taken a step in that direction.

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. 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.

Find us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.