Time seems to fly by faster each year, but if you’re anything like us at Lane Four, we’re always looking for ways to make each following year better than the last. As we step into a new year filled with possibility and potential, there’s no better time to invest in your own professional growth.
The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead of the curve often requires acquiring new skills and certifications. Sometimes, going back to school for courses, certificates, diplomas, and degrees is associated with spending an arm, a leg, and then some. Fortunately, there are several free Software as a Service (SaaS) tools out there that provide top-notch educational resources and certification programs…emphasis on the word FREE.
We compiled some of our team’s faves for you to explore to help you upskill and enhance your own career prospects this year. Whether you are just starting out, or a seasoned professional looking to advance or diversify your skills, take a peak at some of our go-to resources at Lane Four.
Salesforce Trailhead is Salesforce’s online learning platform that offers a variety of trails and modules for users to explore. The platform’s gamified approach fosters an engaging learning experience, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to build expertise in Salesforce and advance their career at their own pace.
What Learners Can Get:
- In-depth guided modules on Salesforce products and services, meant for anyone from administrators to developers to learn.
- Hands-on challenges to apply and test theoretical knowledge.
- Badges and certifications upon completion of courses, modules, and trails.
- BONUS: For an additional investment, Salesforce provides globally recognized certifications for those ready to apply their learning and advance their careers in the Salesforce ecosystem.
“Following Salesforce’s learning modules has been a fun way of learning and has given me confidence throughout my career as a Salesforce Consultant.”
Hosted by Outreach.io, Outreach University is a robust SaaS platform designed to empower sales professionals by providing comprehensive training and resources. This free learning tool is intended to equip users with the skills needed to optimize their sales engagement efforts. With interactive content and industry insights embedded into the learning, Outreach University serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their sales proficiency at no cost.
What Learners Can Get:
- Courses on sales strategy, sales outreach tactics, and platform utilization.
- Interactive lessons with real-world scenarios.
- Learning pathways appropriate for different roles and achievement badges for earned specialist completion.
- BONUS: Feeling confident and ready to get recognized for it? Validate your skillset by becoming a Certified Outreach Administrator! [extra cost for certification exam]
HubSpot Academy is an online training resource from HubSpot, offering practical courses and comprehensive certifications covering various aspects of marketing, sales, and customer service.
What Learners Can Get:
- Comprehensive certifications, individual topic-focused courses, and concise lessons—all tailored for professionals aiming to advance their careers and businesses.
- Instructor-led bootcamps lasting 6-weeks for specialized live learning.
- Certification in HubSpot tools and methodologies.
“Learning at my own pace held me accountable and kept me motivated; however, the instructor videos added a tangible dimension to my learning. It felt as if I were back in a classroom, yet in the comfort of my home office, allowing me to absorb practical and applicable marketing skills that I’ve been able to seamlessly translate into real-life scenarios!”
W3Schools.com stands as a comprehensive online resource for learning software development, offering a wide array of tutorials and guides for various programming languages.
What Learners Can Get:
- An interactive and hands-on learning experience, allowing users to immediately apply the concepts they’ve learned, offering a live coding environment that enables practical experimentation, enhancing understanding and retention.
- From HTML and CSS to JavaScript, Python, and beyond, w3Schools.com covers a broad spectrum of programming languages. This diversity enables learners to explore different facets of software development, catering to both beginners and those looking to diversify their skill set.
- Structured curriculum, making it easy for learners to progress step-by-step.
- BONUS: Learners can opt for a certification exam to showcase their proficiency in specific coding languages.
Looking to jazz up your presentations this year? Or deliver cleaner whiteboards for organizing your ideas? Canva Design School provides tutorials and courses on a wide variety of techniques, tools, and topics, from social media graphic design, marketing assets, and more.
What Learners Can Get:
- Design fundamentals and best practices.
- Hands-on projects for practical application.
- Join live events for inspiration, the acquisition of new design skills, and insights from industry experts.
While this resource becomes a paid service eventually, LinkedIn users can enjoy a complimentary trial of LinkedIn Learning courses. With a comprehensive library spanning various professional skills, LinkedIn Learning offers valuable insights. Even without a premium subscription, you shouldn’t overlook all of the hidden gems on LinkedIn! LinkedIn serves as a reliable platform for quick updates, how-to articles from diverse organizations, and insights from professionals across various industries. Don’t forget to follow accounts of interest for regular updates on their publications!
What Learners Can Get:
- Courses on leadership, project management, corporate wellness, and technical skills.
- Expert-led video tutorials, webinars, and even recording from event keynotes.
- Certificates of completion for LinkedIn courses.
Enhance your knowledge on the go with insightful articles!
Salesforce Ben
Salesforce Ben is a valuable free resource catering to individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge in Salesforce-related skills. The platform provides insightful articles, tutorials, and guides, offering a wealth of information on various aspects of Salesforce administration, development, and best practices. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, Salesforce Ben serves as a go-to hub for staying updated and advancing your expertise in the Salesforce ecosystem.
Salesforce Stack Exchange
Salesforce Stack Exchange is a dynamic community-driven platform and you guessed it…a great free resource for individuals aiming to enhance their Salesforce knowledge. Users can pose questions, share insights, and engage with a global community of Salesforce enthusiasts and experts. The platform facilitates real-time problem-solving, making it an essential space for learning and honing specific skills within the Salesforce ecosystem.
MDN Web Docs
MDN Web Docs stands as an indispensable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of web development and related tech. Offering comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and guides, MDN serves as a go-to platform for honing skills in multiple coding languages and is a go-to for many of our own Lane Four Devs. With up-to-date and reliable information, it caters to both beginners and seasoned developers seeking to expand their proficiency in web development.
The new year brings new opportunities for growth and success. By leveraging these free SaaS tools for education and certification, you can equip yourself with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in your professional journey—all without having to worry about hefty credit card payments or another student loan! Whether you’re interested in sales, marketing, data analysis, development, or design, these platforms offer valuable resources to enhance your expertise and stand out in the ever-evolving digital landscape. So, dive in, explore, and make 2024 the year you level up your learning.
