Industry-recognized IT certification at low or no-cost? Consider these online courses and training options

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In summary:

• Canadian employers say information technology (IT) skills are the most in-demand.
• Immigrants and refugees, who pursue industry-recognized IT certifications and online courses, can take advantage of growing career opportunities across the country.
• Experts expect Canada’s IT and tech sectors to continue to grow in the coming years.
• There are a number of low or no-cost IT training options available to you.

What is the key to achieving career success in Canada? For some immigrants and refugees, it may mean pursuing a job in information technology (IT).

As our recent Windmill Microlending blog post points out, Canada’s IT and tech sectors are projected to grow considerably over the next decade. According to a survey of major Canadian employers, the most in-demand skills are IT-related competencies. They include:

• Data analysis;
• Software engineering; and
• Cyber security.

Another recent report projects that due to the importance of digital business initiatives in helping many companies achieve results, IT spending will increase among most organizations in the years ahead, despite global economic uncertainty. Canada’s IT and tech sectors feature a significant number of immigrants and refugees. It is estimated that approximately 40 per cent of IT and tech workers in Canada are newcomers. It’s a figure comparable to (and actually eclipsing) Silicon Valley in the United States. As well, it has the potential to grow even larger given the industry’s projected growth in Canada, moving forward.

Want to learn more about career opportunities and certifications in Canada’s in-demand cyber security field? Read our recent blog post on how to become a cybersecurity professional in Canada.

How can immigrants and refugees take advantage of in-demand career opportunities in Canada’s IT and tech sectors? NPower Canada CEO Julia Blackburn, says it’s all about industry-recognized IT certifications, online courses and building your IT skills and competencies. NPower Canada is a Canadian charity and a workforce development strategy organization that delivers free in-demand digital education and professional skills training, connecting its participants to new and rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada’s largest employers.

NPower Canada CEO Julia Blackburn says IT certification can help newcomers find career success in Canada’s rapidly-growing industry.

“Employers in Canada are often looking for certifications on your resume that they recognize, as a marker of trust that you have the set of skills required to be successful in the role,” says Blackburn. “In partnership with Google and Microsoft, NPower Canada is able to offer a range of programs that equip individuals with the most in-demand tech skills and certifications that can be completed in just a few months, at no cost.”

Windmill connected with Blackburn to highlight NPower Canada as one of the national organizations offering free and/or low-cost IT training courses. Their programs include:

Junior IT Analyst Program

Education provider: NPower Canada
Duration: 3 months
Delivery: Online
Cost: Free

Note: Offered only to residents of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia

This free program is delivered in partnership with Google and designed for beginners. Participants are not required to possess any previous tech background or knowledge. They learn the skills needed to succeed in an entry-level tech job, focusing on IT support tasks such as computer assembly, wireless networking, installing programs and how to support customers through troubleshooting and debugging. As part of the program, participants gain the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. As well, NPower Canada offers programming in French as part of their work in Quebec.

Junior Data Analyst Program

Education provider: NPower Canada
Duration: 3 months
Delivery: Online
Cost: Free

Note: Offered only to residents of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia

Another free offering from NPower, delivered in partnership with Microsoft. It is considered an intermediate program and individuals should have some prior knowledge in tech and/or programming. Participants will benefit from training in Excel and SQL Fundamentals for Data Science, Python for Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and will gain the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification.

Blackburn says participants of all NPower Canada programs also benefit from personal and professional skills training focusing on effective workplace communication, resume and interview coaching, as well as, job placement support. They can also access NPower Canada alumni resources up to five years after they complete their program, including further training, coaching and mentoring.

Did you know an affordable loan from Windmill Microlending can help you pay for the costs of an IT certification or training course in Canada? Skilled immigrants and refugees can complete our two-minute eligibility quiz to find out if a Windmill microloan is right for them. No credit history required.

Other low or no-cost IT certification providers and online courses include:

AWS Skill Builder

Education provider: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Some free courses with costs for completing certifications

Canada Learning Code

Education provider: Canada Learning Code
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Free
Note: Usually requires a group of learners to schedule a private workshop

CompTIA Certifications

Education provider: Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Varies

Google IT Certificates

Education provider: Google
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Some free courses with costs for completing certifications

IBM Training

Education provider: IBM
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Some free courses with costs for completing certifications

iCode Program

Education provider: Immigrant Education Society
Duration: 6 months
Delivery: Online
Cost: Free
Note: Alberta only

LinkedIn Learning

Education provider: LinkedIn
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Some free courses with costs for full access to course library
Note: A number of public libraries across Canada including Toronto Public Library, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Vancouver Public Library offer free access to LinkedIn Learning’s 16,000 online courses with the use of your library card.

Microsoft Virtual Training 

Education provider: Microsoft
Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Cost: Some free courses with costs for completing certifications

More IT certification courses across Canada

Unsure what training or certification steps are right for you to achieve success in Canada’s IT and tech sectors? Download Windmill Microlending’s Education Pathways to learn more.