How to Find Free Certification Courses

Veterans and military spouses: You don’t need to spend thousands to build new skills. Here are 10 places where you can access legitimate, high-quality training and certifications completely free: ✅ 1. ACT Now Education Comprehensive free access to certifications across industries (PMP, CompTIA, SHRM, etc), career bootcamps, job prep tools, and more. Built by and for veterans and spouses. ✅ 2. Boots to Books Quarterly scholarships of up to $1,000 to pay for a training or professional certification of your choice that aligns with your career goals, biannual textbook scholarships for full-time students whose benefits are being exceeded, and monthly scholarships for Google Career Certifications across industries. ✅ 3. The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes Grants "Military Heroes Individual Grants are awarded to veterans, active military, National Guard, and Reserve members for community leadership and successful employment expenses that they are unable to afford on their own. Examples include participation in conferences, trainings and certification expenses." Additionally, they have a scholarship with The Culinary Institute of America, view their website for more. ✅ 4. O2O – via Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF Onward to Opportunity (O2O) provides free access to an entire training library and one certification attempt (PMP, Sec+). Covers IT, business, and project management pathways. ✅ 5. Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA) Intensive, cohort-based training for veterans pursuing careers in cloud and software development. Zero cost. ✅ 6. Amazon AWS Educate Free cloud computing curriculum. Veterans can qualify for certification test reimbursement. ✅ 7. Oracle Veteran Academy Free Oracle Cloud training and professional certifications for veterans and military spouses. ✅ 8. LinkedIn Premium Veterans get 12 months free, which includes full LinkedIn Learning access with 10,000+ courses. ✅ 9. Splunk Work+ Free Foundations 1 and 2 training for veterans and spouses, useful for data analytics and cyber roles. ✅ 10. Fortinet Veterans Program Free cybersecurity training with certifications (NSE 1, 2, and optional 4) for qualifying military members. If you're transitioning, job hunting, or exploring a new field, don’t leave these resources on the table, and don't let your peers miss out on them - SHARE! P.S. If you want to make whatever training you do about 100x more effective, connect with several mentors in the field you're training in as you complete it - even for one-off conversations. These calls help you orient your training to the real world, build a network in your target industry, and refine your resume and interview before it really counts. Plus, you can do unlimited free mentorship calls with folks at leading companies on MilMentor which makes it EASY! Heck, you could talk to someone at Amazon, Oracle, or Microsoft on MilMentor while you did their training all while never paying a cent!

📌 New to IT? Here’s How to Build a Rock-Solid Foundation (Without Breaking the Bank) Breaking into IT doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. Whether you’re eyeing cybersecurity, networking, cloud, or support, every career path in IT starts with the same building blocks. And the stronger your foundation, the faster and farther you’ll go. Here’s how to start from zero—with real resources, not just hype: 🔹 Step 1: Learn the Core IT Fundamentals This means getting familiar with: ✅ How computers work (hardware & software) ✅ Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) ✅ Networking basics (IP addresses, DNS, routers) ✅ Cyber hygiene & security awareness ✅ Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills 📘 The best curriculum to follow? CompTIA A+ objectives even if you’re not getting certified right away. They cover everything foundational. 🔹 Step 2: Use Free & Low-Cost Training Sites 💻 Professor Messer – Free CompTIA A+ video course (No login needed) https://lnkd.in/gQGrZ8zD 🎓 Google IT Support Certificate (Coursera) – Beginner-friendly intro to IT Free with financial aid: https://lnkd.in/geTWVff6 🛠️ ITFreeTraining – Free, clear video tutorials on hardware, OS, and networking https://lnkd.in/gkzM5AeC 📚 FreeCodeCamp – Learn basic networking, scripting, and even cloud fundamentals https://lnkd.in/gPfqYSgc 🧠 Cisco Networking Academy – Free intro to networking, cybersecurity, and Linux https://skillsforall.com 🔹 Step 3: Choose a Study Book That Fits Your Style 📗 CompTIA A+ All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Meyers —Detailed, conversational, and practical. 📘 CompTIA A+ Study Guide by Sybex (Jon Buhagiar) —Includes practice tests, labs, and great visuals. 📕 CompTIA A+ Certification Guide by Quentin Docter —Straightforward and beginner-friendly. You don’t need a certification to benefit from these books they’re excellent learning roadmaps. 🔹 Step 4: Get Hands-On Practice Build or fix an old computer Set up a home lab with VirtualBox or VMware Try troubleshooting your own devices (and your friends' too 😉) Use simulation tools like Cisco Packet Tracer 🔹 Step 5: Join a Community Ask questions. Learn from others. Find mentors. Try: Reddit: r/CompTIA, r/ITCareerQuestions Discord communities for tech learners LinkedIn groups or local meetups ✅ Final Word You don’t need to be a tech genius or spend thousands to start your IT journey. You just need curiosity, consistency, and the right resources. Drop a 💻 in the comments if you’re just getting started, or tag someone who should see this! P.S. my sons cat has better ties than me #ITCareer #Cybersecurity #Networking #InformationTechnology

Leveling up while on the job market... Candidates ask me all the time: "I'm looking to level up, what certifications would you recommend?" My honest answer: "You have to do what's best for you or what may interest you." Why? 1. I hate to see people get certified in something that while may be big in the industry, there is no guarantee you'll use in your next role. - i.e. Getting Marketo certified is great, but if you land your next role and they use Salesforce Marketing Cloud or HubSpot...does it matter? 2. Many of these certs are PRICEY. There are a lot more ways to level up without spending hundreds on a particular certification. Here are some free upskill resources for marketing: HubSpot Academy: Offers free courses and certifications in inbound marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and more. Google Digital Garage: Provides a range of free courses, including the "Fundamentals of Digital Marketing," with a certification option. Google Skillshop: Offers free training on Google's professional tools like Google Ads and Google Analytics. Facebook Blueprint: Provides free courses and certifications focused on Facebook and Instagram marketing. LinkedIn Learning: Offers a selection of free courses on various marketing topics. Ahrefs YouTube Channel: Offers free marketing guidance and actionable content. #upskilling #jobsearch #freecertifications