SKILLS TRAINING RESOURCES
Goodwill Community Foundation
The Goodwill Community Foundation’s GCFLearnFree.org program offers easy to follow tutorials on over 200 topics to help people learn essential skills for life and the modern workforce. The free website offers more than 2,000 lessons and more than 1,000 videos which clearly take you step-by-step through a subject. Volunteers around the world are working to translate their content into other languages, including French, Russian, Mandarin, Norwegian, Indonesian, Greek, Arabic, Kyrgyz, Dutch, and Polish.
Some of their training specific topics include:
- Computers – Computer Basics, Basic Computer Skills, Mouse Tutorial, Typing Tutorial, Computer Science, Tech Savvy Tips and Tricks
- Digital Skills – Search Better, Digital Media Literacy, Use Information Correctly, Tech Savvy Tips and Tricks, Using the Web to Get Stuff Done
- Excel – Excel Formulas, Excel Tips, Excel, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000
Some of their employment specific topics include:
- Career Planning – Beginning a New Career, Career Planning and Salary, Careers Without College, Job Search and Networking
- Applying for Jobs – Job Applications, Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Interviewing Skills
- Workplace Skills – Business Communication, Communication Skills, Job Success, QuickBooks Resources, Workplace Basics
Tips for Creating a Great Cover Letter
LiveCareer
LiveCareer provides career tools, including:
- resume templates
- writing tips
- cover letter info
- interview skills
- career information & articles
In response to COVID-19, they have added a special section for navigating employment during the pandemic. LiveCareer’s Skill Match Series is a series of articles to help workers from affected industries (including entertainment) by identifying other jobs compatible with their experience, defining transferable skills, directing to job search sites, and providing sample text.
Skillshare
“Browse thousands of free classes for your career, passions and everything in between.”
Master Class
For $20 per month, Master Class offers unlimited access to thousands of lessons from top professionals in their fields, sharing stories, skills, shortcuts, failures, and successes. A free trial is available and college students get 1 year of MasterClass for $1.
Coursera
Coursera offers hundreds of free courses, as well as paid options for certifications and degrees.
Toronto Public Library eLearning Portal
“Your Toronto Public Library card gives you free access to online services that can help you learn new skills.”
Calgary Digital Library
Calgary Public Library is offering a full complement of digital resources, including online courses, e-books, audio books, videos, and databases.
Mentor in Residence
The digital Mentor in Residence program assists artists “with developing community arts practices by providing mentorship support in career planning, project development and entrepreneurial skills … with industry professionals.”
EnterpRISEing Youth
Rise is designed for youth from ages 16-29 who identify as having experienced mental health or addiction challenges and are interested in starting or growing a small business. Participants learn core business skills, develop comprehensive and practical business plans, and build confidence.
Class Central
“Class Central is a listing of online courses … [making] it easy to find the best courses on almost any subject, wherever they exist. We focus primarily on free (or free to audit) courses from universities, offered through massive open online course (MOOC) platforms.”
Future Learn
“Develop your career, learn a new skill, or pursue your hobbies with flexible online courses.” Future Learn is free to sign up and offers hundreds of free courses as well as paid upgrade options.