GALWAY, IRELAND – 2025-12-02
Alison has announced a new feat: more than one million people in Canada have joined its global Learner community. This milestone highlights the growing role of free online courses in helping Canadians upskill and reskill in a fast-changing labour market. Across Canada, people from all backgrounds are using Alison – from career starters and frontline staff to professionals like 21-year-old nurse assistant Mercy Mudongo in Ottawa – all learning for free and on their own schedule.
Rising Demand For Flexible Skills Training In Canada
Canada’s labour market is evolving rapidly, and the demand for skilled workers continues to rise. Data from Statistics Canada shows that over one in four Canadian employers cite difficulty recruiting skilled employees as a top obstacle. This challenge highlights the urgent need for accessible, flexible upskilling solutions.
At the same time, Canadians are seeking more flexible and affordable options to access high-quality education. Many are combining work, study and caring responsibilities, making traditional, classroom-based learning difficult to pursue.
Free online learning is playing an increasingly important role in bridging this divide. Alison’s model eliminates tuition fees, allowing Learners to study at their own pace from anywhere. With more than 6,000 free online Certificate and Diploma courses available on the platform, Canadians are turning to Alison to gain practical, career-relevant skills and recognised credentials without financial barriers.
Empowering Individual Canadians and Entire Organisations
Individual Learners in Canada are using Alison to:
Gain job-ready skills in high-demand fields such as nursing, caregiving, business administration, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Build confidence and knowledge through short Certificate courses and more in-depth knowledge through Diploma programmes.
Explore new career paths and enhance their employability without incurring student debt or long-term financial commitments.
For nurse assistant Mercy Mudongo in Ottawa, free online learning has become a practical way to stay competitive in a demanding healthcare environment.
She says, “As a nurse assistant, I was eager to upskill and reskill to stay ahead in the competitive job market. That is when I discovered Alison, a free online learning platform that offered a wide range of courses. The course material was engaging, and the platform was user-friendly. My experience with Alison has been life-changing. Whether you are looking to upskill, reskill, or simply explore new interests, Alison has something for you.”
Alison also provides a free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables businesses, NGOs, and educational institutions to deliver, track, and manage training using thousands of ready-made online courses. This gives employers a scalable way to upskill teams cost-effectively, while offering staff structured, self-paced access to in-demand workplace skills.
Expanding Free Skills Training For Canada’s Future Workforce
Canada’s workforce is entering a new era shaped by rapid technological change, shifting job requirements, and growing demand for adaptable skills. By expanding free skills training nationwide, Alison is enabling more Canadians to upskill, reskill, and take control of their futures. Reaching one million Learners marks a significant milestone in this mission, bringing learning opportunities within reach for anyone looking to grow, adapt, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient Canada.
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Resources
Alison offers more than 6,000 free online courses across various subject areas, including Healthcare, AI, Languages and Business Management. The platform also supports organisations seeking to upskill teams at scale through Alison’s free Learning Management System (LMS).
Media Contact
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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.
