Free CPD-Accredited Course Equips Frontline Caregivers with the Practical Skills to Support an Ageing World
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited course: Caregiving Skills for Personal Support Workers (PSWs). This free online course equips new and aspiring personal support workers with the practical, real-world skills needed to provide safe, dignified, and compassionate care to older adults and people with complex needs. Reviewed by Certified Safety Professional Jane Rivers, the course prepares learners for careers in PSW, geriatric care, home support, and long-term care settings — with no prerequisites required.
The course covers the full spectrum of day-to-day PSW responsibilities: personal care tasks including bathing, dressing, and mobility support; infection prevention; meal assistance; communication techniques; professional and ethical boundaries; emergency response; and care documentation. A dedicated module on dementia support equips learners to recognise cognitive changes and provide person-centred care with confidence and compassion.
A Growing Global Crisis in Elder Care
The world is aging faster than at any point in human history. According to the World Health Organization, by 2030 one in six people globally will be aged 60 or over — rising to 2.1 billion people by 2050, double the figure in 2020. The number of people aged 80 and over is set to triple in the same period, reaching 426 million. And by 2050, two-thirds of the world's older population will live in low- and middle-income countries, where care infrastructure is already stretched.
At the same time, WHO estimates that 55 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Personal support workers are often the primary point of daily contact for people living with dementia and other age-related conditions — yet formal training and accessible qualifications remain out of reach for many of those entering the profession, particularly in communities where the need is greatest.
Why the World Needs More Skilled, Trained Caregivers
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, stated: "Behind every older person living independently, there is often a personal support worker making that possible. This is one of the most important and most undervalued professions in the world. We want to make sure that anyone who is already doing this work, or who wants to, has access to professional-quality training — free of charge, wherever they are."
This launch expands Alison's portfolio of healthcare and social care courses, reinforcing its mission to make life-changing education accessible to every learner, including those pursuing careers in the growing care economy across Africa, Canada, the UK, and beyond.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/caregiving-skills-for-personal-support-workers-psws
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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 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.
