5 online courses to improve your tech skills

The tech industry is a major driving force in the American economy, accounting for 7.1 percent of overall GDP and 11.6 percent of total private sector payroll.

With more than 6.7 million Americans working in the tech industry, and close to 200,000 tech jobs created in the United States last year, the industry is certainly booming. 

Choosing a career in technology is sure to be exciting, innovative and also very rewarding – particularly financially. Did you know that working in the tech industry can bring you more than double that of the average private sector wage?

So how can you get started in the tech industry, or ensure you stay ahead of the competition? Online courses are a great way to learn the fundamental skills you need to get started in technology, or to expand upon your existing skill set – at your own pace, in your own home.

We’ve found 5 of the best online courses to help you develop some of the most in-demand tech skills, valued by today’s employers. 

Troubleshooting

If you’re looking at getting started in the IT industry, or have moved into a role that requires you to have a greater understanding of tech solutions, troubleshooting is a good place to start.

As one of the most popular and fundamental tech skills, troubleshooting is required for many customer support and system management roles in the tech industry. Knowing what a tool is, what it looks like, and how to use it properly is critical when systems are not functioning, or down because of some wiring issue.

With the online course Becoming an IT Pro: Network Basics you’ll gain valuable troubleshooting skills, putting you ahead of others just starting in the field.

Coding

Coding is an incredibly useful skill to have, even for those working outside of the tech industry, such as in marketing, communication or media roles. Being able to build a website from scratch or enhance an existing site is something that many employers will appreciate!

Through the e-learning course HTML5 & CSS3 Site Design, you’ll learn how to master basic skills in web design, HTML, and CSS, as well as handy tips and tricks to help make sites more attractive and user-friendly.

Java

Many companies are looking for employees who are skilled and proficient in Java, an extremely popular language for web development.

Through e-learning course Java Programming: Principles of Software Design you will learn how to write programs in Java and design programs to solve problems that require solutions. This 4-week online course focuses on showing that programming is more than just coding, involving strategic thinking and design as well.

SQL

Proficiency in SQL is one of the highest tech skills in demand, with the knowledge of database management and development valued and sought by many employers.

With the online course Mastering Oracle Database 12c SQL by Example, you’ll learn how to use SQL's best practices to query and manipulate data. Unlike other SQL courses, the course provides a media-rich learning experience, with a virtual class module that plugs you into a class environment where you can learn by example.

If you’re new to SQL, this course will be a fast and effective way for you to learn this language and become a skilled SQL developer. For those already familiar with SQL, the advanced parts of this course will provide you with new implementation approaches to improve your skills, including the newest SQL 12c features.

Management

You might be surprised to see this included in our list, but taking the time to improve your leadership skills is very worthwhile. In fact, in a study of the most frequently desired skills for IT roles, approximately 30 percent of positions listed management as a necessary expertise. Showing strong leadership skills is clearly a highly valued skill for potential staff, regardless of industry.

Get a head start on your next supervisor or team leader role with Leadership Fundamentals – an online course that will help you improve your leadership style, successfully manage change and conflict, inspire your team and better serve the needs of your organization. 

There are many more e-learning resources available on the Go1 platform, including hundreds of courses for free! You can simply enrol and complete training modules online, improving your tech skills at your own convenience.