Happy male smiling at laptop, Working from home

Right now, while we are unexpectedly stuck at home, job seekers are starting to wonder what to tell future employers about what they have been doing over this time. I have tried to reassure my clients that it’s unlikely that employers will ask — most people understand that in these “unprecedented times” (as the press keeps telling us) people are dealing with a many unexpected pressures. But now that many of us have found some kind of daily routine, as stressful and unsettled as it may be, some are looking for something to do that is positive and future-oriented which might advance their careers or give them a competitive edge when they resume their job search.

Considering what so many people are going through as they try to balance the role of parent, teacher, homekeeper, cook, shopper, and caregiver — job search is understandably hardly a priority for some. Of course, self care and day to day survival should to be our first priority, and the added pressure of taking on additional responsibilities might not be the right thing to do right now.

However, the option to take courses online is available for those who feel the need (and have the opportunity) to do something for their resume. Taking a course can also be a useful distraction, a way to gain a sense of control and do something for yourself.

Finding online training courses that are credible and accessible isn’t an easy task. While Googling “online courses in Toronto” will give you pages and pages of results, it can be difficult to determine which of these courses are worth your time (and money).

Here is a selection of quality resources to learn new skills and boost your employability.

Public Libraries:

Across many locations, public libraries are offering online learning opportunities to card holding members, including IT options such application software, web site development, JavaScript and Python, CISCO networking, opportunities for certification and examination preparation, as well as opportunities to learn programs such as QuickBooks and Microsoft Office.

Libraries also offer access to a wide range of online courses for free, such as

Lynda — access to thousands of video tutorial courses in technology, software development, business skills, project management as well as creative skills like animation and video editing
Transparent Language — learn a new language
Practice for the Ontario G1 driving test — with practice tests and a G1 test simulator based on the MTO Driver’s Handbook and the same method of grading and questions on the real test
TV Ontario Education — links to the Independent Learning Center, Homework Help, and resources for adults looking to complete their GED
Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU) — a non-profit organization that facilitates equitable learning beyond institutional walls
Other free educational platforms such as the Khan Academy

Find the Public libraries websites in your city for more information. You will need a library card to access these programs (If you do not have a library card, check the website of your local public library – some have temporarily introduced online registration options to access some resources. Libraries in the GTA include:

Universities and Colleges:

Publicly funded post-secondary schools also offer a wide range of Continuing Education opportunities both in-person and online; many of which are quite affordable. In addition, through Continuing Education departments at colleges and universities, job seekers can earn certificates in their area of study that will demonstrate their expertise when applying to jobs. Online courses are available at Ontario Learn.

In recent months, universities have begun to advertise more online courses for people who don’t necessarily want to do an entire degree, under the category of Continuing Education, such as University of Toronto, Ryerson and York University

Private Colleges:

Many private colleges offer a wide range of training opportunities, an increasing number of which are available online. The provincial government registers and oversees all these schools to ensure quality, though they do vary widely in their standards.

Candidates should keep in mind that many of these schools might not necessarily approved by the certifying professional bodies (e.g. Pharmacy Assistant candidates have to refer to this list to ensure the course is approved by the CCAPP, the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy programs), so it is important to check first before registering to make sure that the course and school are approved.

Fortunately, there are a growing number of opportunities to study online which allows for greater flexibility and often lower (or no) costs. Some excellent online training sources include:

Also — remember that non profit organizations such as JVS Toronto are offering a range of free expert webinars for job seekers, so check those out as well.

Whatever education or training you choose to pursue, remember to add your new skills to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Dear Employment Specialist,

I am a computer programmer with a company that designs transportation solutions for the trucking industry. I know I am lucky to have my job, but I worry about keeping up my skills, with new advancements coming up all the time in my field. I worry that it eventually will be necessary for my company to replace me with someone else who has the new skills and knowledge, because I have not been keeping updated.

My employer doesn’t do much to help me with updating my skills and I don’t really have the money or time to take off to go take a course. Any suggestions on where or how I could improve my skills?

Signed: Struggling to Keep Up (STKU)

Dear STKU,

Some people might be surprised to hear that employers in the ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) sector struggle to find employees with the skills they need. In fact research that examined ICT trends for the next few years, showed that by 2019 there are expected to be 182,000 jobs in that won’t be filled in Canada because of a lack of skills. A Globe and Mail article recently pointed out that these include careers such as “computer programmers, software engineers, data administrators, information systems analysts and network operators – good paying, interesting jobs in a variety of fields, including healthcare, entertainment, financial services, marketing, and just about any other industry you can think of.”

You are not the only one we have heard from in your field who complains that while employers ask in interviews about candidate’s commitment to life long learning, they don’t always make it easy for ICT professionals to get the training they need. So, it’s up to you to take the initiative and seek out courses. The good news is that there are many online options available.

Many of the high demand skills in your sector can be learnt online, often using high quality, low cost or free sites. The Globe and Mail article identifies some good suggestions for accessible online courses, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which are free online courses, often from highly respected universities and colleges. Look for courses on sites such as Coursera, EDx, Udacity, and Code School which are especially renowned for information technology and computer sciences.

I commend you for making an effort to keep your skills up to date. Try to stay ahead of the curve, by tracking which skills are in high demand. You can do this by reviewing job postings in your field, and identifying what employers ask for. Set up online job alerts, and keep track of jobs as they are posted.

One final tip — if your employer is open to paying for training, the government of Ontario might be able to help. Working with the Government of Canada, they offer The Canada-Ontario Job Grant to provide financial support to employers who wish to purchase short-term training to existing and new employees. JVS Toronto is an approved service provider of the Grant through our five Employment Services locations in the City of Toronto and York Region. Contact us for more information.

Good luck with your career.

Update your skills from home — where to find low cost and free online courses

Ask the Employment Specialist: How do I update my skills?