Free CPD-Accredited Advanced Diploma Gives L&D Practitioners the Skills to Design, Deliver, and Measure Training That Actually Works
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited diploma: Learning and Development Diploma. This free advanced-level online programme covers the full L&D lifecycle — needs analysis, programme design, material development, delivery methods, learning transfer, impact measurement, and continuous improvement — giving learners the structured grounding to build and run workplace training that produces real results.
The course was reviewed by Aisling McCarthy, a learning and development specialist with six years at Amazon, where she led LMS strategy for leadership development programmes serving a global team. Now working as an independent L&D consultant, Aisling holds both PRINCE2 certification and certification in instructional design, and brings expertise in learning technology, content translation, global programme management, quality assurance, and learning governance. Her review focused on practical applicability and learner clarity throughout the programme.
When Training Doesn't Work
Organisations worldwide are pouring resources into workforce training. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report projects that 60 percent of workers globally will need reskilling or upskilling by 2027, and employers rank skills gaps among their most pressing strategic concerns. The investment in training is real. The returns, often, are not.
The problem is rarely a shortage of content. It is a shortage of L&D practice — the ability to correctly identify what training is needed, design experiences that change behaviour rather than simply convey information, and evaluate whether any of it worked. Bad training is not merely ineffective; it is expensive, demoralising, and, in many organisations, the reason why employees quietly stop engaging with learning programmes altogether. The discipline of Learning and Development exists precisely to solve this problem. Yet many people who find themselves responsible for training — HR generalists, subject matter experts, managers handed a brief — have had no systematic instruction in how to do it well.
Formal L&D qualifications have historically been expensive and difficult to access. Alison's Learning and Development Diploma removes that barrier entirely, making a rigorous, full-lifecycle L&D education freely available to anyone who needs it.
Expertise Behind the Course
Aisling McCarthy brings a perspective shaped by years of building and managing learning infrastructure at scale. Her work at Amazon gave her direct experience of what separates L&D programmes that drive measurable leadership development from those that consume budget without shifting performance.
"This Diploma provides a clear, practical grounding in the full L&D lifecycle, from identifying needs through to measuring impact," said Aisling. "It balances the core fundamentals with the realities of how the field is evolving, and is a strong starting point for anyone building a career in learning and development."
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, added: "Effective Learning and Development is one of the most important and most undervalued disciplines in any organisation. The people responsible for building workforce capability deserve proper training in how to do it — and there is no reason that training should be locked behind high fees or institutional access. This diploma opens the door to the profession for anyone with the motivation to learn."
This launch strengthens Alison's growing management and professional development portfolio, reinforcing its mission to make world-class learning freely accessible to everyone, everywhere.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/learning-and-development-diploma
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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.
