As a leading professional networking platform, LinkedIn offers users a variety of opportunities to grow their skills and advance their careers through online training courses and learning resources. While some of LinkedIn’s training content requires paid subscriptions, the platform does provide several free options for users looking to build their knowledge and expertise.
Free LinkedIn Learning courses
LinkedIn Learning provides access to over 15,000 expert-led video courses covering a diverse range of professional topics. While a paid monthly or annual subscription is required to unlock unlimited access to all LinkedIn Learning courses, there are currently over 130 courses available for free.
These free LinkedIn Learning courses provide an introduction to in-demand skills and knowledge across fields like business, technology, design, and more. Some examples of popular free courses include:
- Business Writing: Effective Communication
- Excel Essential Training
- Time Management Fundamentals
- Remote Work Foundations
- Programming Foundations: Fundamentals
The available free courses are updated over time, providing new and relevant learning options. Free LinkedIn Learning courses are a valuable way to start developing key workplace skills and exploring potential interests at no cost.
LinkedIn LearningPaths
In addition to individual courses, LinkedIn Learning offers LearningPaths – curated series of courses and quizzes to guide in-depth learning on a particular topic. While most LearningPaths require a paid LinkedIn Learning subscription, there are currently 8 available for free:
Free LinkedIn LearningPath | Description |
---|---|
Securing a Remote Workforce | Builds skills for managing security risks and protecting data in remote work environments |
Become a Data Analyst | Foundational data analyst skills including Excel, SQL, Tableau, and more |
Digital Literacy for Workplace Success | Essential tech skills for productivity and communication in professional roles |
The Creative Classroom | Strategies for sparking creativity and innovation as an educator |
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging for All | Building skills to cultivate inclusive environments and prevent unconscious bias |
Lead with Empathy | Developing leadership abilities focused on empathy, vulnerability, and human connection |
Time Management Fundamentals | Increasing productivity, minimizing distractions, and achieving work-life balance |
Strategic Thinking | Skills to analyze complex challenges, generate innovative solutions, and enable strategic decision-making |
These LearningPaths create a comprehensive learning experience combining multiple courses around high-demand skill areas relevant to many professional roles and industries.
Additional free learning opportunities
Beyond LinkedIn Learning courses and LearningPaths, LinkedIn provides other free resources to help users gain valuable professional skills and knowledge, including:
- LinkedIn newsletters – Subscribe to curated newsletters that deliver targeted insights on leadership, business strategy, hiring tips, and more directly to your inbox for free.
- LinkedIn articles and post content – Follow relevant voices and organizations to get free training content, career advice, industry trends, and best practices served up regularly in your LinkedIn feed.
- LinkedIn live events – Attend free virtual courses, discussions, and events featuring thought leaders sharing timely upskilling opportunities.
- LinkedIn influencers – Follow LinkedIn’s hand-picked group of 500+ thought leaders across industries posting free training and career enhancement content.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn does offer paid learning subscriptions that unlock more robust training resources, the platform provides several free self-development opportunities:
- Over 130 free online courses via LinkedIn Learning
- Curated skills LearningPaths on in-demand topics like data analytics, digital literacy, and strategic thinking
- Additional free training content through newsletters, posts, events, and LinkedIn influencers
These free resources make LinkedIn a valuable destination for anyone looking to pick up career-boosting skills and knowledge at no cost. Users can explore a range of free courses and content to find options that best fit their schedule, interests, and professional growth objectives.
While individual courses offer a quick introduction to a specific skill or concept, pursuing one of the expert-designed LearningPaths provides a more comprehensive, structured learning experience leading to deeper knowledge. Combining free LinkedIn Learning with other free content on the platform provides versatile upskilling opportunities.
The availability of over 130 free courses unlocks professional development opportunities for those who can’t afford paid training subscriptions. Learners can explore areas of interest and determine which skills to invest in pursuing further before committing to paid upskilling.
Staying on top of emerging skills and industry trends is crucial for professionals in today’s job market. Fortunately, LinkedIn offers all users, regardless of their training budget, an array of options to continue growing their capabilities and work expertise for free.
LinkedIn’s training resources make it simple to build precisely the skills you need to reach your career goals. Whether starting from scratch as a beginner or sharpening your existing skills as an expert, LinkedIn provides impactful learning experiences tailored to your individual needs and schedule.
The platform’s combination of short courses, structured LearningPaths, and additional training content shared through posts and influencers lets you take control of your professional growth. You can choose to complete short courses in your spare time for a quick skills boost, or immerse yourself in a comprehensive LearningPath on a topic you want to master.
Because LinkedIn prioritizes in-demand skills across industries, you can feel confident investing your time in learning opportunities with real career impacts. The most sought-after capabilities in areas like leadership, software, design, and data science are right at your fingertips.
Plus, LinkedIn’s focus on flexibility and accessibility means you can achieve tangible upskilling wins on your own schedule, without paying a cent. Whether tackling courses during a lunch break or using a LearningPath to switch careers, LinkedIn provides the tools to painlessly uplevel your resume.
The next step in your professional journey is just a few clicks away. LinkedIn’s ever-expanding training resources guarantee continuous opportunities to stay ahead of the curve. Take control of your career growth and explore LinkedIn’s free learning content to build the skills that drive success.