Online training platforms have been used by employers for awhile as a replacement for paying in-person instructors. They usually save money and are more efficient. One common complaint about these platforms is the cost. Since they're often targeted at wealthy corporations, the per-user fees can be exorbitant.

However, these companies have changed their tune due to COVID-19. This is partially because COVID-19 shuttered some companies, reducing their client base. Some state governments also ordered hands-on training facilities to shut down, further limiting the usefulness of these applications. Finally, with many Americans out of work and out of money, they had no choice but to make their services temporarily free. Please note that none of these will be permanently free.

Be sure to carefully read the contents of each one and turn off "recurring billing" so you aren't surprised with a huge bill in two or three months!

Technology: PluralSight

PluralSight is a well-respected instructional content provider in the technical realm. With courses in specific languages to beginner IT courses to even "creative technology" courses, there's something for everyone. Each course contains a series of videos with interactive questions as you go along. Many also have "assignments" that help you learn as you go. For those looking to "up-skill" themselves with new certifications, PluralSight also has courses tailored for almost every major technical certification.

Using the hashtag "#FREEapril", PluralSight is promoting its service by offering thirty days of free access. The only caveat is that existing subscribers cannot use the offer to simply add thirty days to their subscriptions. Though their promotional page says the offer ends at the end of the month, that is simply how long you have to sign up. You can sign up the very last day of April and still be able to access content for thirty days at no cost.

College-level Courses: Sophia

Sophia is a relatively new company that focuses on providing low-cost college courses. Unlike many online courses, many of Sophia's are ACE-accredited, meaning that it's typically possible to transfer these courses to a brick-and-mortar college or university. However, unless your institution has a contract with Sophia, there isn't any guarantee that any particular class will be accepted by your college or university. Before making the time investment, if you're looking for college credit, be sure to contact your Academic Adviser and ask.

Sophia's "ACE-recommended" courses only are free. It offers other courses that do not translate to college credit that aren't included in this promotion. Designed to assist college students affected by closures due to COVID-19, the service is 100% free to use and receive credit until July 31, 2020. The courses are "asynchronous", so regardless of your schedule, you will be able to take advantage of this.

Though this promotion is targeted at students who were actively attending a university, it's open to anyone who's interested! Since the signup process is a bit more complex than average, we've detailed it in the section below.

Signing Up for Sophia Courses

First, you'll need to visit this link to check out the college-level courses available. Find a course that appeals to you, and click on it. On the right-hand side of the screen, you'll need to enter in the email you wish to use and the password you want. You'll see what appears to be a long signup form, and it asks for a good amount of personal information.

You're free to research the institution, but it has a good reputation and even has partnerships with 27 other colleges. Once you have completed the form and submitted it, you'll get a four minute video welcoming you to the service. You'll then have instant access to the course. Note that you have a maximum of 60 days to complete most 3-credit courses.

Taking Advantage of Services

It's easy to feel pessimistic, especially if you're under a stay at home order and have recently lost a job. However, as you've seen, companies are reaching out to offer you free education in just about anything you can imagine. Better yet, you can essentially get an associate degree for free if your institution is willing to take Sophia credit! Without paying a cent, you could turn this dark and uncertain time into a learning opportunity to advance your future career opportunities!

These offers are very rare and unprecedented, so take advantage of them before they expire.