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Comment on Alison: Changing Lives Through eLearning in Uganda by Alison Editor

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Comment on Alison: Changing Lives Through eLearning in Uganda by Alison Editor

Thanks to advances in technology, education is within reach of anyone, wherever they are in the world. This means that obstacles that made learning difficult before are no longer in the way of individuals pursuing their dreams and taking leaps in their careers and goals. At the recent eLearning Africa Conference, Alison, along with many other delegates came together to discuss and share ideas around how education is making a difference in people’s lives. We met some of the graduates and heard from them how Alison is changing lives through eLearning in Uganda. 

Akol Paul

Akol is a student at Makerere University. He learned about Alison through a friend in Nigeria who told him that it’s a way for him to achieve his dreams. He enrolled in the Maritime Logistics course which helped his knowledge and understanding of management and enriched his current studies in varsity. He encourages those at home without funds to study further to enrol in Alison – any course – and study with the convenience of being at home.

Ajuna Lillian

 

Sadres Twinomugisha

Sadres is a Records and Information Manager and works for the Uganda National Authority. She discovered Alison during the covid-19 after data laws came into effect. She decided to study to equip herself through the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) course to better understand what the law says about data information and its protection. Through this, Sadres is now at the forefront of sensitising data protection in her organisation.

David Livingsone Eseru

 

Daniel Guma

Daniel is a qualified Alison publishing contractor and completed Alison’s Publisher Tool Training. He told us that what made Alison stand out is that it offers its learners full access to the material – for free. Prior to this, he was unemployed for three years. He enrolled with Alison because he wanted to improve his competency levels and develop new skills which would enable him to apply for and get new opportunities. He completed courses in Supervision and Managing Groups and Employees

Najeeb Kasule

 

Allan Kaheeru

Allan works as a Senior Credit Officer. He is proud that he is an Alison graduate because the courses have given him a platform to educate himself studying supervision and logistics. He credits Alison and his studying as being fundamental to his recent promotion.

Benefits of using Alison as an eLearning Platform

  • Not limited to the classroom – study anywhere
  • Time efficient
  • Accommodates all learning styles
  • Flexibility to study at your own pace
  • Updated and accessible content
  • Over 4000+ free courses to choose from

Alison’s platform has enlarged the learning experience for all its students. Like our graduates, the material and skills acquired open the doors to new opportunities and the confidence to execute your work.

Alison eLearning Tools To Develop Your Career

We know that growing and making changes to your career doesn’t end with your valuable certificate or diploma. You also need to be empowered by knowing and understanding your specific skills, strengths and weaknesses. 

Mental Health Assessment

Work is good. It can get overwhelming and burdensome when you feel you can no longer cope. A stressful work environment can affect productivity and negatively impact your physical health and mental wellbeing. Paying attention to and taking care of your mental health is important. Our assessment tool supports your journey and offers guidance and to help get you into a positive and healthy mental space.

Workplace Personality Assessment

Our Workplace Personality Assessment is designed to help you discover your strengths, weaknesses, and unearth skills that may need some polishing. You also receive a list of suggested courses that will cultivate your strong areas and nourish your weaker areas. All to ensure your success and growth in whatever career path you choose.

We believe that “sharing is caring” is not limited to things like food. If you also decide to join our Affiliate Programme, you can share who we are and what we do with those you know so that they too can be empowered. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Alison?

Answer: Alison is a free online learning platform that offers over 4000 courses across various disciplines. It aims to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.

2. How can Alison help me in my career?

Answer: Alison provides a wide range of courses that can help you gain new skills, improve your competency, and increase your employability. Many graduates have reported promotions, new job opportunities, and enhanced understanding in their fields after completing Alison courses.

3. Are the courses on Alison really free?

Answer: Yes, Alison offers free access to all its course materials. There are no hidden fees for learning on the platform.

4. Can I get a certificate after completing a course on Alison?

Answer: Yes, you can purchase a certificate or diploma after successfully completing a course. There is a fee for the certification, but the course content itself is free. Alternatively, you can download a free learner report, indicating that you have completed the programme successfully.

5. How flexible is the learning process on Alison?

Answer: Alison’s courses are designed to be flexible, allowing you to study at your own pace and from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it convenient for learners with different schedules and learning preferences.

6. How do I know which courses are suitable for me?

Answer: Alison offers tools like the Workplace Personality Test, which helps you discover your strengths and weaknesses. Based on your assessment results, you will receive a list of suggested courses to help you improve your skills.

7. What kind of support does Alison offer for mental health?

Answer: Alison provides a Workplace Wellbeing Assessment tool to help you monitor and manage your mental wellbeing. This tool offers guidance and support to help you maintain a positive and healthy mental space, which is crucial for productivity and overall wellbeing.

8. Can Alison help with specific professional qualifications?

Answer: Yes, Alison offers courses tailored to specific professional fields. For example, Sadres Twinomugisha completed the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) course to enhance her knowledge and skills in data protection, which was crucial for her role at the Uganda National Authority.

9. What success stories can you share about Alison graduates?

Answer: Alison graduates have achieved significant milestones in their careers. For instance, Akol Paul from Makerere University improved his knowledge in Maritime Logistics, Sadres Twinomugisha enhanced her data protection skills, and Allan Kaheeru achieved a promotion after studying supervision and logistics.

10. How can I share Alison with others?

Answer: You can join Alison’s Affiliate Programme, which allows you to share the platform with friends, family, and colleagues. By doing so, you can help others gain access to free education and empower them to improve their careers and personal development.

11. What are some of the benefits of using Alison as an eLearning platform?

Answer: Some key benefits include the ability to study anywhere, time efficiency, accommodation of various learning styles, flexibility to study at your own pace, and access to updated content. With over 4000 free courses, there is something for everyone.

12. How did the eLearning Africa Conference highlight Alison’s impact?

Answer: At the eLearning Africa Conference, delegates, including Alison representatives, discussed the transformative power of education. Testimonials from graduates showcased how Alison’s courses have positively impacted their lives, providing them with knowledge and skills to advance their careers and personal goals.

Comment on Alison: Changing Lives Through eLearning in Uganda by Chandiru Barbra Keilah

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Comment on Alison: Changing Lives Through eLearning in Uganda by Chandiru Barbra Keilah

Thanks to advances in technology, education is within reach of anyone, wherever they are in the world. This means that obstacles that made learning difficult before are no longer in the way of individuals pursuing their dreams and taking leaps in their careers and goals. At the recent eLearning Africa Conference, Alison, along with many other delegates came together to discuss and share ideas around how education is making a difference in people’s lives. We met some of the graduates and heard from them how Alison is changing lives through eLearning in Uganda. 

Akol Paul

Akol is a student at Makerere University. He learned about Alison through a friend in Nigeria who told him that it’s a way for him to achieve his dreams. He enrolled in the Maritime Logistics course which helped his knowledge and understanding of management and enriched his current studies in varsity. He encourages those at home without funds to study further to enrol in Alison – any course – and study with the convenience of being at home.

Ajuna Lillian

 

Sadres Twinomugisha

Sadres is a Records and Information Manager and works for the Uganda National Authority. She discovered Alison during the covid-19 after data laws came into effect. She decided to study to equip herself through the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) course to better understand what the law says about data information and its protection. Through this, Sadres is now at the forefront of sensitising data protection in her organisation.

David Livingsone Eseru

 

Daniel Guma

Daniel is a qualified Alison publishing contractor and completed Alison’s Publisher Tool Training. He told us that what made Alison stand out is that it offers its learners full access to the material – for free. Prior to this, he was unemployed for three years. He enrolled with Alison because he wanted to improve his competency levels and develop new skills which would enable him to apply for and get new opportunities. He completed courses in Supervision and Managing Groups and Employees

Najeeb Kasule

 

Allan Kaheeru

Allan works as a Senior Credit Officer. He is proud that he is an Alison graduate because the courses have given him a platform to educate himself studying supervision and logistics. He credits Alison and his studying as being fundamental to his recent promotion.

Benefits of using Alison as an eLearning Platform

  • Not limited to the classroom – study anywhere
  • Time efficient
  • Accommodates all learning styles
  • Flexibility to study at your own pace
  • Updated and accessible content
  • Over 4000+ free courses to choose from

Alison’s platform has enlarged the learning experience for all its students. Like our graduates, the material and skills acquired open the doors to new opportunities and the confidence to execute your work.

Alison eLearning Tools To Develop Your Career

We know that growing and making changes to your career doesn’t end with your valuable certificate or diploma. You also need to be empowered by knowing and understanding your specific skills, strengths and weaknesses. 

Mental Health Assessment

Work is good. It can get overwhelming and burdensome when you feel you can no longer cope. A stressful work environment can affect productivity and negatively impact your physical health and mental wellbeing. Paying attention to and taking care of your mental health is important. Our assessment tool supports your journey and offers guidance and to help get you into a positive and healthy mental space.

Workplace Personality Assessment

Our Workplace Personality Assessment is designed to help you discover your strengths, weaknesses, and unearth skills that may need some polishing. You also receive a list of suggested courses that will cultivate your strong areas and nourish your weaker areas. All to ensure your success and growth in whatever career path you choose.

We believe that “sharing is caring” is not limited to things like food. If you also decide to join our Affiliate Programme, you can share who we are and what we do with those you know so that they too can be empowered. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Alison?

Answer: Alison is a free online learning platform that offers over 4000 courses across various disciplines. It aims to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.

2. How can Alison help me in my career?

Answer: Alison provides a wide range of courses that can help you gain new skills, improve your competency, and increase your employability. Many graduates have reported promotions, new job opportunities, and enhanced understanding in their fields after completing Alison courses.

3. Are the courses on Alison really free?

Answer: Yes, Alison offers free access to all its course materials. There are no hidden fees for learning on the platform.

4. Can I get a certificate after completing a course on Alison?

Answer: Yes, you can purchase a certificate or diploma after successfully completing a course. There is a fee for the certification, but the course content itself is free. Alternatively, you can download a free learner report, indicating that you have completed the programme successfully.

5. How flexible is the learning process on Alison?

Answer: Alison’s courses are designed to be flexible, allowing you to study at your own pace and from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it convenient for learners with different schedules and learning preferences.

6. How do I know which courses are suitable for me?

Answer: Alison offers tools like the Workplace Personality Test, which helps you discover your strengths and weaknesses. Based on your assessment results, you will receive a list of suggested courses to help you improve your skills.

7. What kind of support does Alison offer for mental health?

Answer: Alison provides a Workplace Wellbeing Assessment tool to help you monitor and manage your mental wellbeing. This tool offers guidance and support to help you maintain a positive and healthy mental space, which is crucial for productivity and overall wellbeing.

8. Can Alison help with specific professional qualifications?

Answer: Yes, Alison offers courses tailored to specific professional fields. For example, Sadres Twinomugisha completed the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) course to enhance her knowledge and skills in data protection, which was crucial for her role at the Uganda National Authority.

9. What success stories can you share about Alison graduates?

Answer: Alison graduates have achieved significant milestones in their careers. For instance, Akol Paul from Makerere University improved his knowledge in Maritime Logistics, Sadres Twinomugisha enhanced her data protection skills, and Allan Kaheeru achieved a promotion after studying supervision and logistics.

10. How can I share Alison with others?

Answer: You can join Alison’s Affiliate Programme, which allows you to share the platform with friends, family, and colleagues. By doing so, you can help others gain access to free education and empower them to improve their careers and personal development.

11. What are some of the benefits of using Alison as an eLearning platform?

Answer: Some key benefits include the ability to study anywhere, time efficiency, accommodation of various learning styles, flexibility to study at your own pace, and access to updated content. With over 4000 free courses, there is something for everyone.

12. How did the eLearning Africa Conference highlight Alison’s impact?

Answer: At the eLearning Africa Conference, delegates, including Alison representatives, discussed the transformative power of education. Testimonials from graduates showcased how Alison’s courses have positively impacted their lives, providing them with knowledge and skills to advance their careers and personal goals.

Comment on Meet the African Businesses Hiring Alison’s Graduates by Mike Feerick

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Comment on Meet the African Businesses Hiring Alison’s Graduates by Mike Feerick

Looking for a job in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa or beyond? Discover how millions of Alison graduates across Africa have leveraged their certifications to find work. We’ve seen an 87 percent increase in learners across the continent in recent years – clearly employers are recognising the quality education provided by Alison. With free online courses in Digital Marketing, Customer Service, Project Management, and more, learners in these countries have gained the skills employers require. Our empowerment platform is growing rapidly, and with over 5,000 certificate and diploma courses available, there is sure to be the skills training or academic learning you need. Begin upskilling today!

Skills Training in South Africa 

Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash

Huw Simpson is an independent software developer from South Africa and an employer who knows the value of Alison’s courses. When his friend John Taylor was made redundant after working as a motor mechanic for over twenty years, Huw suggested he reskill with Alison.

“John and I were already friends”, says Huw. “He is technically minded, and I felt I could do with a junior developer that I could trust, so I approached him and suggested that he learn to programme. He had always wanted to learn but never got the opportunity! I started searching for appropriate courses for John on the internet and Alison came up.”

Programming Courses

John began taking Alison courses in programming, starting with Introduction to Software Testing. He then moved on to more advanced courses, like the Diploma in HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript, and hasn’t looked back. John has now begun a successful new career and Huw has a skilled developer he can rely on. “John progressed quite rapidly through Alison and has retained much of his training.” Huw told us he would potentially look for more Alison Graduates with programming skills.

“The Alison courses I had completed showed them my willingness to learn and they accepted my Alison certification.” John Taylor

Alison Certificates Recognised in Nigeria

Nigerian employer Ifeanyi Ukandu has employed numerous Alison graduates. He is the HR Manager of Rockgarden Homes & Homecare Agency in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. Rockgarden offers high quality live-in and at-home elderly care. Ifeanyi has a degree in Business Administration from Ekiti State University and a master’s in Business Administration from the University of Sunderland, as well as postgraduate diplomas in Management Studies and Strategic Management and Leadership. Ifeanyi brings over a decade of experience in Human Resources and Personnel Management to his role at Rockgarden Homes.

When Ifeanyi sees Alison certifications on a job applicant’s CV, he knows they’ll “be able to carry out their tasks in line with the best industrial practices.” He’s also keen to hire more Alison Graduates, as long as they can pass the necessary practical tests that Rockgarden gives prospective employees. “We have a handful of Alison Graduates and they seem well-informed theoretically.”

Caregiving Courses

Ifeanyi is also “definitely” considering introducing Alison’s free caregiving courses as part of the standard in-house training for Rockgarden employees: “I’m hoping to go through Alison’s courses to see which ones might be suitable both for our caregivers and our management staff. Courses like Effective Leadership, Team Building and Conflict Handling.” With Alison’s Free LMS (learning management system), employers like Ifeanyi can easily devise a learning and development programme for employees and track their progress. 

One of his team members is Oladapo Onasanya, from Ogun State who has become Rockgarden’s Business Development Manager, thanks to Alison’s free online courses. Oladapo has a degree in Mathematical Sciences, as well as a variety of certificates from Alison, including Business Management, Operations Management, Sales Management and Project Management

“I have taken several courses on Alison and I still have other courses pending,” says Oladapo. “I take courses on Alison when I have to change jobs or when I have to complete a business project and need to update my knowledge and acquire skills to be able to do it properly.”

Oladapo, who also studied for the Diploma in Web Business Development and Marketing, is proof that Alison’s courses are worth it: “I got a job thanks to one of my Alison certificates. Alison has high-quality content. You feel fulfilled at the completion of the course, and you will add value to any organization.”

I got a job thanks to one of my Alison certificates.” Oladapo Onasanya

Bridging the Skills Gap in Kenya

Alison graduate Christopher Erot often hires others with Alison certifications in his capacity as Supervisor at the Waldorf Kakuma Project, as “they are high quality workers with experience.” The Waldorf Project is the largest free school movement in the world and their Kenyan project provides education and trauma therapy to refugee children in the Kakuma Camp in north-west Kenya. Christopher believes that “Alison’s online education is very important”. He is happy to say that he would hire more Alison Graduates and “recommends people who are looking for work to study with Alison.”

One Waldorf Kakuma employee who has progressed in his career thanks to learning with Alison is James Maina, the project’s Procurement Officer. James has a Bachelor’s of Commerce in Accounting and is currently taking a master’s in Finance and Accounting. 

“Formerly I was employed as a mere financial assistant”, says James. “However, through Alison I received a new job as a Procurement Officer. Through the Alison platform, I have shifted my mindset and become more rational. I have also honed my report writing skills.” James continues to improve his CV and upskill with Alison and is currently studying courses in Networking and IT Security.” 

Christopher is James’ manager at Kakuma and knows that when someone says that they are an Alison graduate, it means that they are keen to work and ready to learn through their own initiative. 

“Through Alison I received a job as a Procurement Officer.” James Maina

Begin the next steps to landing your dream career with our free Resumé Builder today!

Comment on Transforming Lives with Alison: William Kimwaga’s Story by Alex Inande

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Comment on Transforming Lives with Alison: William Kimwaga’s Story by Alex Inande

Written by: William Kimwaga, Alison Graduate

As an Alison learner, I’ve experienced first-hand the transformative power of online learning. Today, I’d like to share my journey and the incredible impact Alison’s free online courses have had on my life and career.

Flexibility and Affordability: Making Education Accessible to All

One of the most significant barriers to education is cost. I’ve seen many people, including friends and family, give up on further studies due to financial constraints. However, Alison’s approach to online learning is not only cost-effective but often more affordable than traditional educational paths. This accessibility opens doors for countless individuals who otherwise might not have the opportunity to advance their education.

The flexibility and convenience offered by Alison have been a game-changer for me. With the ability to learn at my own pace and on my own schedule, I’ve found a perfect balance between work, family life, and education. This flexibility means I can dedicate time to learning without sacrificing other important aspects of my life.

Practical And Easy-To-Understand Courses

The courses at Alison are designed with practicality and simplicity in mind. The straightforward language and well-structured modules make learning enjoyable and easy to understand. This approach has significantly improved my daily task performance, enhancing both my skills and efficiency.

Building Networks and Enhancing Skills

Online education isn’t just about acquiring knowledge; it’s also about building networks and communities. Through Alison, I’ve connected with fellow students and professionals worldwide, expanding my professional network. These connections have provided valuable insights and opportunities that extend beyond the virtual classroom.

I urge everyone to consider online education as a viable and rewarding path to personal and professional growth. With Alison, you’re not just learning; you’re preparing for a brighter future. Whether it’s improving your skill set, balancing your life, or advancing your career, Alison’s courses offer a comprehensive and accessible solution.

In conclusion, my experience with Alison has been nothing short of transformative. It’s not just an educational platform; it’s a community that empowers and motivates. So, why wait? Take that first step with Alison and embark on a journey that could significantly enhance your lifestyle and career prospects.

enrol in free online courses

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6 Benefits of Learning Technical Skills — No Matter What Your Job Title Is

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6 Benefits of Learning Technical Skills — No Matter What Your Job Title Is

It’s no exaggeration to say that every job is a “tech” job nowadays. Even traditionally non-technical industries, like financial services, higher education, or government, are integrating technology and algorithms into their work. 

Whether you manage marketers, analysts, salespeople, product managers, or other non-technical specialists, technical skills can help prepare your team for the future. With our interactive courses and guided paths, your whole team can learn valuable technical skills like machine learning, data science, and web development.  

Our Codecademy Teams offering enables you to assign customized content to your reports and use analytics and reporting features to measure team growth. Another perk? Your team members can work through the self-guided courses at their own pace, so they can control their learning schedule and feel empowered to keep going. Start a free 14-day trial for Codecademy Teams and invite up to 25 people. Read on to explore the many benefits of having your non-technical employees learn technical skills. 

1. Provide your employees with development opportunities 

Technology advances so quickly that linear career paths are practically obsolete. Employees constantly try new roles and learn new skills to adapt to their organization’s changing needs. We’re always adding to our catalog of interactive lessons, projects, and quizzes, so your team can stay on top of the latest languages and tools. Even folks who are absolute beginners can start writing and running code from day one thanks to our intuitive, AI-powered platform.  

By providing your non-technical employees with a way to learn something new, you give them the opportunity to advance in their current roles or uncover new areas they may have an interest in or aptitude for. When your employees have support to meet their evolving professional goals, they’re more likely to stay at your company. 

2.  Improve communication within and across teams 

Even if your non-technical team members don’t move into technical positions, coding skills can greatly enhance their current roles — especially when it comes to communication. 

When people in roles like Product Managers or Product Marketers have technical knowledge, they’re able to speak the same language as the engineers, developers, or customers they’re working with. Codecademy learner Jan Osterž started learning programming skills while working as a Product Owner at a software engineering company. His experience with product management and understanding of development principles made cross-functional collaboration a breeze: 

This combined knowledge, much of which I acquired through Codecademy, allows me to have better technical conversations with the development lead and the developers. For example, if we get a younger developer, I can provide tips and guidance. I can suggest directions to explore [or] recommend libraries to use. All this knowledge helps me manage and integrate both aspects of my work effectively.”  

3. Build better products 

By understanding what developers, engineers, and data scientists do, non-technical roles are in a better position to work with them to co-create solutions or products, ultimately benefiting the business. They can think through requirements more easily and better gauge what’s possible — and what’s not.

Take it from Codecademy Senior Product Designer Taylor Green, who emphasizes that folks in design-heavy roles should have a basic understanding of code. “If you can’t understand the languages or understand how to communicate with engineers, it’s definitely going to pose a barrier,” Taylor says.

For instance, when considering a possible solution to a problem in a product, you can establish realistic expectations and workloads because you are aware of the behind-the-scenes processes involved.

4. Instill confidence among your team 

For non-technical employees working alongside their technically-trained counterparts, it’s possible for a bit of impostor syndrome to creep in. Bobby Velasco learned to code with Codecademy and then landed his first real “tech job” as a Product Marketing Engineer, where he leveraged his new technical skills to take on more responsibilities.  

I started doing anything I could get my hands on to get more experience. I just kept on learning and more opportunities kept getting thrown at me to do front-end engineering work, and some back-end tasks. I was hungry to get experience, and they allowed me to build the confidence and the skill set. 

On top of the confidence boost, data suggests that filling skills gaps is one way you can help reduce stress for your entire team, according to the 2023 Skillsoft IT Skills & Salary Report. When people are overworked and lack the resources that they need to do their jobs, projects take longer, and business objectives suffer.  

5. Enhance your team’s problem-solving skills 

Research out of the World Economic Forum shows that the top skills workers need in the future are analytical and creative thinking skills. You might think of problem solving as a soft skill. Even so, it’s one that’s best practiced through learning to code. That’s because part of learning to code is learning how to think like a programmer: defining a problem, breaking it down into smaller pieces, and exploring various possible solutions. 

Joshua Lange is a Research Scientist who learned Python so he could work more efficiently with large amounts of data. Once he got the hang of automating his work with one coding language, the “problem-solving way of thinking” broadened his perspective:   

Codecademy is a really cool platform, and the impact on my job has been immense. Not only does it save time, but it also makes me think in a different way. It’s encouraged other people to start looking into it as well. I’m not old by any means, but you’re never too old to continue learning. 

6. Prepare your organization for the jobs of tomorrow 

Generative AI significantly transformed the way we all work, and the types of skills people need to remain competitive. In Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report, the majority of leaders said they prioritize AI skills over experience when hiring candidates. It’s not just job seekers who benefit from AI proficiency: 69% of survey respondents said upskilling with AI can help get them promoted faster. 

There’s been a lot of talk about what AI advancements mean for the future of programming. The way we code is definitely shifting because of AI — in a recent survey, 97% of professional developers said they use AI coding tools in their workflow. At the same time, programming, determining instructions to give to a computer so it can execute a task, is becoming even more essential. Knowing how to craft prompts that elicit the most pertinent responses from ChatGPT and how to evaluate and interpret the chatbot’s answers technically is a form of programming. 

Equipping your employees with resources to learn and practice AI skills prepares them for the future of work. It also gives leadership a greater opportunity to fill future talent gaps internally — everyone wins! 

Unlock the benefits of code for everyone 

As our world digitizes, learning to code isn’t just beneficial for programmers. It can empower non-technical teams to advance in their roles while paying off for the business at large. 

Here at Codecademy, our online learning platform teaches coding skills in an accessible, flexible, and engaging way. Our interactive courses span dozens of languages and topics, ranging from data science to web development.  Our Codecademy for Teams offering lets you provide technical training and education to your employees. Have them try it out now with a 14-day free trial

This blog was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated to include new details and purchase information for Codecademy Teams.

3 Steps to Get Started with Codecademy Teams 

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3 Steps to Get Started with Codecademy Teams 

We know that learning something new isn’t always easy. So whether you’ve just joined Codecademy for Teams, are making your way through a 14-day free trial, or are adding new team members to an existing account, we’ve put together a few tips to help your team members make the most of their first week with Codecademy. 

Ahead is a checklist of 3 simple things your team members should do in their first week. Hot tip: Make it even easier for your team by scheduling a block of time to get set up and started with Codecademy (more on that later). Read on for additional strategies that you can use to help your team stay motivated

3 things your team should do in their first week 

1. Decide what to learn 

Where should your team start with Codecademy? They may already know what they want to learn. For instance, maybe they’re eager to learn Python so they can understand the large language model trend or go beyond Excel for data tasks. If they’re looking to learn a specific language, they can easily find the right course in our catalog

Try Codecademy Teams for free

If they aren’t sure where to start, we recommend they get started with a skill path. Skill paths organize the content in Codecademy into roadmaps that are structured to take a learner through everything they need to acquire a specific skill. They make it easy to know what to learn and in what order. 

Following a skill path will keep your team focused on need-to-know information and help them visualize an end goal. Check out a few of our most popular skill paths below and click through to see the full syllabus. 

If you’re still stumped, there’s a course Choosing a Programming Language that will fill you in on your options and guide you in the right direction. The good news is beginners really can’t choose the “wrong” language when they’re starting out. Programming languages share concepts, so once you know one language, switching to another one is easy.  

2. Set a weekly target 

The big picture outcome — mastering a new tool or landing that big account — can often seem overwhelming. When we feel this way, we’re more prone to giving up on a goal. Setting weekly targets in Codecademy enables your team members to break down a large goal into smaller, achievable ones, helping them stay commited. 

To set a weekly target, go to “My Home” in your Codecademy account. In the progress dashboard, you can edit your weekly target and enter how many days a week you want to learn. Each week, we’ll show you how many days you’ve logged into Codecademy and how many weeks in a row you’ve met your target.  

Not only does setting a weekly target help your team build momentum, but looking back on how far they’ve come can be just the boost they need when motivation wanes. We use skill XP to measure progress in specific domains. Your team members can find their individual skill XP in the progress dashboard for a tangible, visual representation of everything they’ve learned. 

As a team leader, you can also get a closer look at your team members’ individual progress. Use exclusive Codecademy Teams analytics and reporting features to measure team growth, make better data-driven decisions, and enhance learning outcomes. ​ 

3. Dedicate time for learning 

Check your team calendar right now and find 30 minutes to get together. During this time, you can get set up and started working on Codecademy lessons together. You can even send around this blog article as a pre-read for your meeting! Onboarding to Codecademy Teams is a breeze, and this exercise also gets you in the habit of fitting learning into your already full calendar.  

Help your team reach their goals by setting them up to make continuous small improvements. Here’s how: 

  • Designate meeting-free time. Work with your team to carve out time in their busy schedules. Even daily 15-minute increments add up to meaningful training time over a couple weeks. Read this article for more advice on how to set a realistic learning schedule depending on your individual goals. 
  • Make it easier to focus. Our brains aren’t so good at switching from thinking about one thing to another and then back again. Ensure the time your team has to learn is quality time. Let them know it’s totally cool to put up a “do not disturb” message on Slack or sign out of email. Better yet, lead by example and block off time on your own calendar for learning and development — managers need to learn, too. 
  • Set a weekly check-in for the team to share their goals. When people share what they plan to accomplish with others, it makes it harder to give up.  

Tips for keeping your team motivated 

Start by sharing how excited you are that they’re learning tech skills — it’s a big deal! Your enthusiasm will be sure to rub off on them. To keep motivation high, here are a few things you can do. 

  • Follow a common schedule. By learning the same topics at the same time, everyone can review the content and troubleshoot problems together. Plus, it helps with accountability. 
  • Get others involved. Recruit others in the company to mentor. For example, see if the Engineering Team at your org can help out by answering questions, sharing details about their own career paths, and cheering learners on to the finish line.  
  • Start a Slack group to share tips, ask questions, and post reminders. Having a larger community keeps excitement up and reminds learners that they have support. 

A solid start benefits everyone 

We’re excited your team is upleveling their technical skills with us — and it’s only just the beginning. As they get more comfortable with code, there are other benefits you’ll witness over time. 

For starters, knowledge of code ensures a shared language for cross-functional collaboration and empowers employees to innovate on their own, boosting the quality of products and services. 

The long-term benefits aren’t just product-related, either. Learning technical skills develops your team’s problem-solving skills and strengthens work relationships as they go through the process of learning together. 

Helping your team get off to a good start will pay off now and down the line. We can’t wait to see what you learn together! 

This blog was originally published in February 2021 and has been updated to include new details and purchase information for Codecademy Teams.