Enjoyable e-learning is not an oxymoron.

While term "e-learning" first gained traction in 1999, distance learning as a formal concept has a much longer history. In the 19th century, Isaac Pitman taught shorthand writing to pupils via correspondence. In the 20th century, online learning systems emerged to deliver information to students. Fast forward to the 21st century. Online, electronic, and virtual learning are interchangeable with digital skills learning.?

At Czechitas, one of our main endeavours is to support lifelong learning and motivate people to keep up with current digital trends. We firmly believe that reskilling into IT is possible for everyone— regardless of gender, age, or former profession,?

Everyone has their own learning pace and style. Today's learning tools are particularly designed to support the diverse needs and interests of learners around the world. While the choices and options can seem overwhelming, a great place to start are some platforms that have proven most popular among our own Czechitas community of learners, partners, and staff.

My suggestions for learning platforms include #SkillsBuild by IBM , #Coursera by 谷歌 , and #Linkedin Learning by 微软 . Each platform offer a broad selection of digital, soft skills, and career development courses. These platforms also provide a chance for learners to earn a certificate or a badge of completion.?

Let's take a closer look at each platformFree digital learning to help you get career ready.

SkillsBuild is an online learning platform with hundreds of courses in English, built on cutting-edge modern technologies, for students, teachers, non-profits, schools, and educational institutions, all free of charge.?

The platform is available in 131 countries worldwide. Many courses are translated into Czech and Ukrainian to support the integration of #Ukrainian refugees. SkillsBuild offers a certificate of completion - a badge that many employers accept.?

Czechitas has inspired more than 1000 learners to sign up for SkillsBuild data science, cybersecurity, and career path courses and it is only starting. Thank you to my colleagues Milada ?. , Michal Ku?era and Andrea Huclová who are devoted project managers and lecturers of the SkillsBuild platform to an even wider audience. Sign up for free and start learning today at https://www.czechitas.cz/microsites/skillsbuild

Coursera by Google is another great way to learn and acquire the most sought-after digital skills. Czechitas helped distribute 2000 Coursera licences in 2021 for Data Analysis, Project Management, and IT support. I enjoyed the three-month Project Management course and its interactive way of learning. It offers excellent templates that can be used for your projects to save time.?

For FY 2022 -2023, Czechitas participates in the INCO Academy Work in Tech Ukraine initiative, with the support of Google.org, to distribute additional 1000 licences for Digital Marketing/e-commerce and IT support to #Ukrainian refugees in search of career opportunities in the Czech Republic. Coursera too offers end-of-program certificates. We launched the program less than two months ago and welcomed the 100th woman in the platform's interface yesterday. Great work of Czechitas for Ukraine team members ?? More information is available at https://www.czechitas.cz/ua/work-in-tech-cz

Microsoft is doing tremendously well with Linkedin and its global skills initiative to help job seekers gain new skills for in-demand jobs. But we know that skills alone are not enough for people to get the jobs they want – especially in the most in-demand jobs. People – particularly those changing careers - need to be able to show hiring managers that they have these skills.?

There are approximately 350 new courses and six new Career Essentials Certificates brought to learners by Microsoft and LinkedIn to help job seekers showcase their talent to employers – and help them get jobs. Find out more at https://aka.ms/MyLearningPathway. Shout out to Andreas Linde Fibiger and Bartek Gieszczyk and the rest of the Microsoft and Linkedin team, making it possible for others to succeed.

Each of my recommended platforms benefit learners as well as employers. Monitoring in-demand job skills enables companies to help employees gain confidence and success in their roles. It also empowers prospective candidates to adapt to shifts in a competitive job market, while advancing their career development goals.

Coursera recently released its 2023 global report of the fastest-growing digital and human skills. For Europe, the priority Human Skills include: Storytelling, Change Management, Organisational Development, Collaboration, and Negotiation. The priority Digital Skills for Europe include:? Data Visualization, Customer Success Tools, Software Framework Development, Scrum (Software Development), and E-Commerce.?

At Czechitas, our primary focus on the Czech Republic reflects a perfect nexus of opportunity for digital and human skills to thrive, particularly as the demand for qualified specialists grows in areas such as cybersecurity. Our IT training courses provide ample opportunities to hone both digital and human skill sets. The learning platforms suggested above offer pathways to supplement and grow learning interests for further professional and personal development.?

Noted Czech thinker and educator John Amos Comenius once wrote: "Aristotle compared the mind of man to a blank tablet on which nothing was written, but on which all things could be engraved. … There is, however, this difference, that on the tablet the writing is limited by space, while in the case of the mind, you may continually go on writing and engraving without finding any boundary, because, as has already been shown, the mind is without limit."

I invite you to learn more about Czechitas and to take advantage of great learning resources offered by our team and our partners today.