7 Best Apps for Free Online Courses for South Africans

7 Best Apps for Free Online Courses for South Africans

Are you tired of browsing the web for short online courses? Luckily, there are apps for free online courses you can download on your Android or Apple mobile device and study from there.

Well-known platforms like EdX, Coursera, Khan Academy, and others aren’t limited to online access. They also have mobile applications users can sign up for.

In this article, we’ve covered the best apps you can download and get your learning on. Additionally, we’ve also highlighted how to utilize the current digital skills gap in South Africa using these online programs.

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1. Alison

With over 5000 free courses, Alison offers programs in IT, health, business, and more. Each program comes with a certified certificate received after completion. It’s a popular platform and one of the best apps for free online courses you can find.

2. Cursa

The Cursa app was developed as a way of making things easier for users by offering them hundreds of free courses plus a certificate at the end of the program. The digital certificates can be used on your resume and can be seen as basic vocational education.

3. Codecademy

Another one on the list of apps for free online courses is Codecademy. With this app, you can learn coding in 12 diverse programming languages such as Python, Java, Javascript, SQL, etc, and use those coding skills to find remote work as with any other online courses.

4. Google Digital Garage

Google Digital Garage has free courses on digital marketing, data, and career development which are essential digital skills and can be beneficial in the South African job market.

Also, Look: Google Free Courses South Africans Should Know About in 2024

5. Khan Academy

Suitable for learners from grades 1-12, Khan Academy is another of the best apps for online courses. It provides free courses in science, maths, arts, and economics. Khan Academy is excellent for helping students prepare for final exams.

6. Skillshare

Skillshare offers creative and entrepreneurial courses, focusing on topics like design, photography, and writing. The free plan supplies access to a limited number of courses. It’s praised for promoting creativity and helping users develop practical, marketable skills.

7. Udemy

While most courses on Udemy are paid, it is also a great app for online courses with the free programs it offers to users. It’s perfect for practical approach learning and has courses in development, marketing, and design.

The Lack of Digital Skills in South Africa and How to Utilize That

ICT’s recent skills survey highlighted the lack of functional skilled youth in the technology sector. Professions in this industry are in demand but the supply is very low. 

Areas like:

• Information Security /Cybersecurity

• Big data design/analytics

• Data Science

• Artificial intelligence/machine

• learning

• Blockchain

• RPA (Robot Process Automation)

• DevOps, etc 

Have shown a huge shortage which is yet to be filled. With continuous use of free online courses and other available learning methods, one can gain a spot in the above-mentioned career paths and earn anywhere from R240 000 to R6 480 000 a year.

Online learning platforms like Google Digital Garage,  Cisco Networking Academy, and Coursera offer courses tailored to these needs, giving South African youth a valuable chance to upskill and stay competitive

As such, you should use this gap, apps for free online courses, and YouTube, wisely and to your advantage. 

Conclusion

There are other methods you can use to get more learning material or gain new knowledge without opening up your browser each time. Apps for free online courses such as Alison and more are available to make things easier for you with just a few clicks.

All the best finding the right learning app for your needs and dominating your chosen industry.

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