As the labor market becomes more competitive, it is important to constantly upgrade yourself to maintain your employability.

It is not controversial at this point to say that technology is the future of our society. Thus, many big players in the tech industry are offering free online courses for those who want to develop next-generation IT skills in fields like cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity.

So, here’s a list of tech giants that are offering free IT upskilling courses online.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Screen capture of AWS training homepage

As one of the world's leading cloud service providers, AWS has set a grand ambition to train 29 million cloud-ready professionals in the coming years. To do so, it has launched its very own training and certification program: AWS Training.

There are more than one hundred courses offered at AWS Training. Participants are able to enroll themselves in courses such as cloud fundamentals, data and analytics, machine learning, game tech, media services, and security. When you are ready, you can always take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam to have your expertise recognized.

To make learning more fun, AWS also launched a Twitch channel where two of its employees go live to teach and discuss different aspects of cloud computing.

2. Microsoft

Microsoft virtual training days

Microsoft's flagship cloud computing arm, Azure, offers a comprehensive range of next-gen upskilling courses. You can browse the site anytime to register for live webinars and virtual classes on a range of topics about data, analytics, and AI.

What's good about Microsoft is that it's not just Azure that is providing these free courses, its productivity suites, Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365, also offer free courses online for anyone who's working in departments such as sales, marketing, field and operations, and customer service. If you don't have Microsoft 365, here's how you can get the license for free.

3. Google

Screen capture of Google Cloud free online courses homepage

Google Cloud offers the opportunity to build your cloud computing skills and broaden your employment prospects. Whether you are completely new to tech, or a seasoned professional looking to up your game, Google Cloud has courses tailored to your skill level.

You can choose to attend on-demand courses or scheduled virtual classes with Google’s authorized training partners. At the end of your course, you will earn a Google Cloud badge that recognizes your newly developed tech skills.

Among its most popular cloud courses include architecting with Google's Kubernetes Engine, machine learning with TensorFlow on Google Cloud, and its beginner-level introductory course to Google Cloud for all things cloud computing.

Related: What Is Cloud Computing? How Does Cloud Technology Work?

4. Alibaba

Screen capture of Alibaba free online tech courses homepage

Alibaba Cloud offers free e-learning courses for anyone who wishes to learn the fundamentals of cloud computing. From hybrid cloud to big data, and troubleshooting practices, Alibaba Cloud has a wide selection of tech classes that you are able to complete in no more than two hours.

If you want to earn a certificate, you can always purchase its Hot Clouder Courses, which are basically course bundles where you attend the set number of classes, learn the skills, prepare, and sit for the exam.

Popular cloud courses on the site are free, but there are also several that cost as low as $0.01.

5. IBM

Screen capture of IBM free online courses homepage

IBM regularly partners with small businesses, schools, and NGOs to provide next-gen tech courses for individuals of all backgrounds. To make its content more accessible, the company now offers its courses online.

On its official website, topics covered by IBM not only include next-gen tech skills like cloud, big data, and AI, but also blockchain and enterprise design. Like Microsoft, IBM also organizes events and meetups for anyone who is interested to learn new tech skills face-to-face.

Once you complete the course that you've enrolled in, you earn a badge that serves as a confirmation of your credentials.

Bring Your Tech Knowledge to the Next Level

As you can see from the list above, there is no shortage of resources for those who are keen to learn. Accelerated digitalization all around the world means that demand for these next-gen tech skills is likely to increase in the future.