In today’s global job market, traditional university education no longer guarantees career success, especially in smaller regions like the Caribbean, where universities often lag behind in teaching the latest in-demand skills.

With emerging, tech-driven industries on the rise, there’s a growing gap between education and workforce needs. This makes it crucial for individuals to take control of their learning, using online platforms that provide up-to-date skills and practical education.

Online schools like EDX, Khan Academy, HubSpot Academy, Grow with Google and Google Digital Garage offer flexible courses that reflect the latest trends in technology and business, empowering individuals to build expertise and open career paths beyond local markets.

Let's explore the top online schools and what they specialise in.

• HubSpot Academy: A leading platform for free certifications in digital marketing, sales and customer service.

It offers specialised courses in areas like content marketing, SEO, social media and e-mail marketing, making it a go-to resource for those interested in inbound marketing and CRM tools.

• EDX: A comprehensive platform founded by Harvard and MIT that provides university-level courses and professional certifications in fields ranging from computer science to business management. It offers both free and paid options and is well-regarded for its partnerships with top-tier universities and institutions worldwide.

• Khan Academy: Initially focused on maths and science, Khan Academy has expanded its curriculum to cover a wide range of academic subjects such as economics, arts, computing and history.

It offers free educational content aimed at foundational learning and is particularly useful for students and professionals seeking to improve their understanding of core subjects.

• Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and organisations to provide a broad range of courses, specialisations and degree programmes in areas such as data science, AI, business and public health. The platform offers certifications, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, providing flexible learning options for professional development and academic achievement.

• Grow With Google: Aimed at equipping individuals with job-ready skills, Grow With Google provides free and paid courses in IT support, data analytics, project management and UX design.

It is tailored for people looking to quickly gain in-demand skills in tech fields.

• Google Digital Garage: This platform offers free courses in digital marketing, career development and data skills, helping individuals and small businesses thrive in a digital-first world.

It provides certifications on a variety of topics such as digital marketing fundamentals and data analysis.

• Google Skillshop: Google Skillshop focuses on providing training and certifications for Google’s professional tools, including Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Marketing Platform and YouTube. It's ideal for professionals looking to enhance their expertise in Google’s suite of pro