Latest news with #certificates
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
5 Free Courses And Certificates To Put On Your Resume In 2025
A course or certificate, even if in progress and not completed yet, can make all the difference between getting hired for your dream job and being passed off for another candidate getty An estimated 97% of employers are currently using, or about to implement, skills-based hiring, according to Coursera's latest report. That's a significant 20% leap from 2023, when skills-based hiring was increasingly becoming a buzzword in HR circles, with the U.S. Department of Labor releasing recommendations and a guidebook for skills-based hiring a year later. Short online courses and certificates are some of the best ways to demonstrate your skills and suitability, not just for the job, but also for the company culture, especially if it thrives on a growth mindset. Here are some free courses and certificates you can study today and add to your resume to boost your chances of being hired (and help you negotiate for higher pay too): Free, by HubSpot Academy Perfect for small business owners, marketing managers, and content creators/freelancers Total completion time is five hours and 18 minutes Free for PMI members, by PMI (Project Management Institute) Perfect if you're already a project management professional Total course length is five hours (You can find other free beginner-friendly Gen AI courses here in my recent article.) Free, by PMI Suitable for new and existing project management professionals Total course length is five hours Free if you select the audit option, on edX Perfect for beginners You can gain a certificate, but only if you take the paid option; otherwise you can complete this for free Takes approximately five weeks at three hours a week to complete Free course by Codecademy Includes three hands-on projects to flex your skills and demonstrate your knowledge Is suitable for beginners Here are some other reasons why studying a course or career certificate is absolutely essential if you're seeking to land a promotion, salary premium, high-paying client projects, or get hired faster: About 96% of the 1,000 employers surveyed for the report indicate that a job candidate having a course or certificate on their resume strengthens their application and boosts their chances of being hired, up from 88% two years ago. In the U.S. and Canada, 90% of employers say they'd offer a higher starting salary to candidates who've completed certificates and short courses. Nearly a third of entry-level professionals who studied a course or certificate in the past year secured a salary raise. An estimated 21% earned a promotion as a direct result of studying courses and certificates (These stats are taken from Coursera's Microcredentials Report 2025.) I know from first-hand experience that studying an online course makes it easier to get hired faster. In 2022, I was interviewed for a project management role that was a stretch outside of my comfort zone. When it came time for the dreaded but much-anticipated interview question, 'Tell us about one of your weaknesses,' I took this as an opportunity to relate one of my 'weak' areas in project management, but then anchored my answer by sharing that I was currently studying the Google Career Certificate in Project Management (at the time this was free due to financial aid offered on Coursera). I was hired that same day. My manager later confided to me that even though I had less experiences than other candidates, this very detail (the course I was studying) was the deciding factor that made her take a bet on me and hire me for the job, because I had proven that I had a growth mindset and clearly had freshly updated skills that could be put to use in the role. So yes, free online courses with certificates are absolutely worth it. Choose one free online course or certification from the list above, or find another one that's more relevant to your career goals. You can find free online courses with certificates (and without certificates) from platforms like: LinkedIn Learning (free to Premium members) Codecademy Great Learning Alison edX IBM SkillsBuild Microsoft Learn HubSpot And many more are just a tap away. Once you've started, be consistent. Block out some time every week to study and practice, and share what you're learning on LinkedIn. You can also add your course or certificate to your resume and include a progress note, like 'currently studying,' or 'due to complete by October 2025.' This is a positive sign to employers that you're actively building yourself professionally, and it encourages them to invite you for interviews and offer you job and promotion opportunities. About 97% of employers are adopting skills-based hiring, which means certificates are in greater demand than degrees getty You're just a few weeks away from changing your entire career and income trajectory.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Scottish pupils start to receive exam results - but there are some delays
Update: Date: 09:38 BST Title: The first exam results have dropped - but there are some delays Content: If you are just joining us, young people across Scotland are receiving their exam results - though mail deliveries in some parts of the country are delayed due to Storm Floris. Email and text results are unaffected but those waiting for certificates in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland have been told to expect delays. More than 147,000 candidates are getting their marks for Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and Skills for Work Awards, as well as National Progression Awards and National Certificates. Certificates have been be sent by first-class post, although many students will also receive a text or email. Digital results are being sent to those with an activated MySQA account from 08:00 onwards. Read more here. Update: Date: 09:29 BST Title: I haven't received my results - what should I do? Content: If you haven't received your results by text, email or post, don't panic. Contact your school or college and they'll be able to help. If there's anything missing or wrong with your certificate, call the SQA Candidate Advice line on 0345 279 1000. Update: Date: 09:20 BST Title: Some pupils have not received certification for their courses Content: We're being told there have been problems with administrative issues causing a delay in certification for some of the courses that UHI Orkney, external deliver. These courses do not have results and they won't appear on the certificate: NPA Travel and Tourism Level 6Foundation Apprenticeship Social Services and Health CareFoundation Apprenticeship Social Services and Health Care (Fast Track)Foundation Apprenticeship Social Services Children and Young PeopleNational Progression Award in Psychology level 5 Skills for Work: Early Learning and Childcare – National 5Rural Skills – Agriculture Level 5 UHI Orkney has apologised for being unable to supply these results at the expected time. The college says if you are affected you should contact Pauline Black, the deputy principal of UHI Orkney at external or go in person to the college or visit the website here, external. Update: Date: 09:16 BST Title: 'The celebrations start now' Content: We're hearing more from pupils and their instant reactions to receiving their results... Levi says he got on better than he thought he would. "Quite happy. I got an A in Chemistry and a B in Physics and Biology. "I'm going to St Andrews to study medicine." And on another positive note, he says the celebrations start now! Update: Date: 09:10 BST Title: Emily: 'I feel like my hard work has been rewarded' Content: Our colleagues on Good Morning Scotland have been speaking to pupils to get their reaction as results start to arrive. Emily tells the programme she has done better than expected - managing a B in Media Studies and a C in Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS). She says she is hoping to go to Glasgow Caledonian University to study International Marketing. Emily says she 'put in the effort' for her results. 'I've got on a lot better than I thought I would and I'm actually really happy with my results. 'The school was a huge help with it all as well, with all the support studies ,but I feel like the work I've put in has been rewarded.' Update: Date: 09:07 BST Title: How are exam grades set? Content: By Katy McCloskey, Senior producer, Education Grades are set at boundary meetings, which take place in June and July. This year, there were 123 meetings to set boundaries. New grade boundaries are agreed for every qualification every year. The boundaries are set by principal assessors with the help of senior SQA staff and data analysis. Grade boundaries are not set until the marking is completed. Markers will input into these decisions – if there are recurring difficulties which students have experienced with particular questions – such as the infamous zebra question - then grades can be altered to take account of questions which were perhaps not worded terribly well or where there was widespread learner confusion. It's important to note that grade boundary discussions do not start out or set out to achieve a pre-determined number of grades in each category. Exact percentages for grade boundaries this year will be published later this morning. Update: Date: 08:47 BST Title: SQA results day 2025: Everything you need to know Content: Exam results day can stir up a mixture of emotions: you might be feeling worried, excited or stressed. But don't panic, these feelings are completely normal and, as always, the BBC's Bitesize Study Support has got your back. This helpful guide to your SQA qualification results will help you feel as prepared as you can be to deal with all possible outcomes. Read more of the Bitesize Study Support here. Update: Date: 08:40 BST Title: Gilruth insists progress being made on cutting the attainment gap Content: Jenny Gilruth goes on to say 'progress is being made' on closing the attainment gap between the richest and poorest pupils in Scotland. She says the Covid pandemic had an impact on results for children who experienced part of their schooling during the lockdown era. But she insists 'real improvements' are being made on levels of numeracy and literacy gained by young people. 'This is the pandemic generation. These children and young people's experience of school was disrupted at regular points and I think that has impacted on some of what we have seen in recent years in terms of attainment,' she says. 'But there is also evidence of recovery. 'The data that was published last year showed real improvement in numeracy and literacy in our primary schools. We've also seen a narrowing of the attainment gap in terms of those going on to positive destinations since 2009/10.' Update: Date: 08:34 BST Title: 'Nerve-wracking' wait for postal results Content: Scotland's education secretary says all pupils will be able to access their results this morning – despite delays to some hard copies. Mail deliveries across parts of the Highlands and Islands have been impacted by Storm Floris, meaning some pupils have a longer wait for certificates. However, Jenny Gilruth says there were ways to access results by text, email or students calling their schools or SQA helpline. 'I know this will be disappointing and nerve-wracking for some of the young people involved,' she tells the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme. 'But those signed up for the text and email service should still receive their results by that route and certificates when they do arrive in the post. 'They can also contact their school or college or the SQA helpline, but the first port of call is to contact the school or college directly.' Update: Date: 08:29 BST Title: Storm Floris will delay arrival of some exam results Content: Due to the widespread disruption caused by Storm Floris, Royal Mail has confirmed that there will be delays to the delivery of SQA results in several parts of Scotland. In particular, deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather. Further localised delays to deliveries may occur at short notice. If any affected candidates want to know their results, they should contact their school or college in the first instance, where staff should be able to help them. Alternatively, learners can submit an inquiry via the SQA website at external and their query will be responded to after 12:00 today. Update: Date: 08:11 BST Title: What happens if you don't get the results you were hoping for? Content: There is lots of support available, regardless of what results pupils receive. The SQA's candidate advice line can be reached on 0345 279 1000. It opened at 08:00 and will stay open until 18:00. It will then be available from 08:30 until 17:00 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Guidance staff at schools will also be on hand to provide help. If you have a conditional offer for university or college that you don't meet, you can apply to Ucas' clearing process, external which is used by universities and colleges to fill empty places. Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the agency which supports training and skills for work, will also operate an advice line from 5 to 8 August. If you need help and advice about the next steps in your career or education or if you didn't get the results you hoped for, you can phone the SDS results helpline number on 0808 100 8000. Update: Date: 08:03 BST Title: Scottish exam results day 2025: What happens after grades are sent out? Content: Results can come by post or text About 147,000 people across Scotland have started to receive their SQA results. Find everything you need to know about Scotland's exam results day here. Update: Date: 08:00 BST Title: It's time for those results to be sent out Content: Well, it's 08:00 and that means exam results are now being sent out to pupils across Scotland. Good luck to everyone! And stick with us for reaction and advice on what your next move could be. Update: Date: 07:54 BST Title: What time will Scottish exam results arrive? Content: Pupils at Madras College in St Andrews celebrated their results last year Pupils across Scotland will receive their results from 08:00. The results cover Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers, as well as the more vocational National Progression Awards, Skills for Work Awards, and National Certificates. They are sent out by first-class post but many students have opted to receive their grades digitally. Text messages and emails are due to be sent to candidates who had an activated MySQA, external account from 08:00 onwards. Last year, there were some delays to text results and some pupils receiving blank emails. The problem led to an anxious wait for some but was quickly rectified. If you have opted to receive your results by post, it will depend on when your mail normally arrives. Update: Date: 07:52 BST Title: Pupils get ready for their results to drop Content: If you're just joining us, welcome to our live coverage as pupils across Scotland wait for their exam results to be released. Pupils will receive the verdict on their work - including candidates in Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers. The more vocational National Progression Awards, Skills for Work Awards, and National Certificates will also land today. Stick with us here to follow the latest news, results and reaction. Update: Date: 07:41 BST Title: 'Good results or bad, we're here to help' Content: Erin Bartley is a School Careers Adviser at Skills Development Scotland and she tells Good Morning Scotland she's expecting a "very, very busy day". She says: "Hopefully we get lots of callers giving us a wee call to find out how we can help them. "At the results helpline we really focus on the individual, helping solve any issues they may have, whether that's results better than expected or unfortunately worse than planned. "We'll be on hand to help whatever the issue is." As we edge towards 08:00, here's another reminder of that Skills Development Scotland helpline, external number - 0808 100 8000. Update: Date: 07:35 BST Title: Helpline is there to support with the next steps, says pupil Content: A dedicated helpline - run by Skills Development Scotland - will be open from 08:00 to support those deciding their next steps. Courtney, who is 17, has told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme she used the service last year after she didn't get the results she hoped for: "My careers adviser helped me so much and my guidance teacher as well. "The helpline helped too so I was happy with that." She says she wants to be a PE teacher when she leaves school but she also has back-up plans like the police. The Skills Development Scotland helpline, external number is 0808 100 8000. Advice can also be found on the SQA website, external. Update: Date: 07:26 BST Title: What happens today? Content: The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will send out candidates' results following the completion of exams and coursework earlier in the year. If you have signed up for digital alerts on MySQA, these will come via text message or email from about 08:00. At about 09:30, we'll get an overview of the results from the SQA. Traditional certificates will arrive by first class post - this will depend on when your mail normally arrives. The SQA have warned a number of areas of Scotland will not get their results by post today due to Storm Floris.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Free Courses And Certificates That Give Teens Real Resume Advantages
Prove your skills by displaying your microcredentials and certificates on your resume The college application process has never been more competitive. With test-optional policies at many universities, admissions officers scrutinize extracurriculars, essays, and proven initiative more than ever. Teen applicants need ways to stand out beyond GPA and standardized test scores. Some teenagers are considering professional certifications and skill-building courses to differentiate themselves and build their resumes. These credentials signal initiative, career readiness, and practical abilities that traditional transcripts can't capture. Many high-impact courses are entirely free and designed for busy high school schedules. Traditional education teaches academic subjects but often misses career-ready skills like digital marketing, coding fundamentals, and professional communication that look great on a resume. A 2024 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey found that 89% of employers prioritize candidates with demonstrated technical skills alongside academic credentials. These certificates provide credibility for teen entrepreneurs, especially when launching businesses or pitching ideas to potential mentors and investors. Here are five free courses that build real-world capabilities while providing credentials and skills worth adding to college applications and resumes. Provider: GoogleTime Investment: 40 hours, self-pacedCertificate: Industry-recognized Google certification This comprehensive course covers search engine optimization, social media marketing, email campaigns, and analytics. Students learn through interactive modules, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises using actual marketing tools. The curriculum addresses skills immediately applicable to any business or personal project. Teens running social media accounts, promoting school events, or launching small ventures can immediately implement these strategies. Google's brand recognition makes this certificate particularly valuable. The course also provides a foundation for more advanced marketing certifications later in college or career development. Provider: Harvard University via edXTime Investment: 11 weeks (10-20 hours weekly)Certificate: Optional paid certificate, but completion alone is impressive This CS50x course teaches computational thinking through C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript programming languages. Students complete weekly problem sets, labs, and a final project demonstrating their skills. This course stands out for its rigor and reputation. The problem-solving approach translates to any field requiring analytical thinking. Even without purchasing the certificate, listing "Harvard CS50x (Completed)" on applications or your resume demonstrates intellectual curiosity and persistence. Teens can use their final projects as talking points in college interviews or internship applications. Provider: IBM SkillsBuildTime Investment: 12 hoursCertificate: Digital badge and completion certificate Artificial intelligence impacts every industry, yet most high school curricula don't address it. IBM's course introduces machine learning concepts, AI applications in healthcare and business, and ethical considerations around automated systems. The short time commitment makes this accessible for busy students. Students gain conversational knowledge about AI trends, helping them engage in informed discussions about technology's role in their intended field of study. The digital badge system allows students to showcase specific competencies on LinkedIn profiles, digital portfolios, and resumes, which is increasingly essential for college-bound students building their online presence. Provider: UPennTime Investment: 5 weeks, self-pacedCertificate: Fee for certified certificate (free audit option available) This English for Career Development course is designed for non-native English speakers. Professional communication skills often determine career success, yet many students enter college without knowing how to write effective cover letters, craft compelling personal statements, or interview confidently. This course addresses those gaps through practical exercises. Students write actual resumes, practice interview responses, and learn networking strategies. The content applies immediately to college applications, scholarship essays, and summer job searches. The University of Pennsylvania brand adds prestige, while the practical nature of assignments creates tangible outputs that students can use on their resume and in their college application process. Provider: MITTime Investment: 6 months (starting in June)Certificate: Yes – program completion and participation One of the most prestigious STEM programs for junior high school students, MITES Semester is a two-phase experience. The first half includes challenging online courses and hands-on STEM projects in astrophysics, computational biology, and robotics. The second phase focuses on college preparation, offering mock interviews, essay reviews, and one-on-one mentoring. The experience culminates in an in-person conference at MIT, where you'll attend a college fair, meet STEM professionals, and present your work. It's highly competitive—but completely free—and a game-changing addition to any college-bound teen's resume. Simply completing courses won't guarantee admission or employment success. Students should connect their new skills to real applications whenever possible. Create social media campaigns for school clubs using Google's marketing principles. Build a simple website using CS50x programming concepts. Write professional emails to potential internship supervisors using UPenn's communication strategies. Keep track of what you accomplish along the way. Take screenshots when you finish modules, save copies of final projects, and build a simple spreadsheet or doc listing each course, when you completed it, and what you got out of it. Set up a folder—on your computer or in the cloud—for storing certificates, project files, and quick reflections. Don't wait until senior year to try to remember everything. When it's time to create your resume, write essays, or prep for interviews, these notes will jog your memory and help you speak clearly about what you've done. The challenges you worked through and the skills you picked up can become powerful, specific stories that set you apart. The best way to make these certificates stand out is by connecting them to your real interests. If you care about the environment, you might use what you learn in a digital marketing course to design a campaign promoting your school's recycling program. That kind of follow-through shows not just that you took a course, but that you applied it with purpose. College admissions officers consistently report valuing students who show initiative beyond required coursework. These free certifications signal precisely that quality—a teenager willing to invest personal time in skill development without external requirements or grade incentives. The key is starting now rather than waiting for someday. Each completed course builds your resume, momentum, and confidence while adding concrete credentials to your growing professional profile. In an increasingly competitive academic environment, these small advantages can make meaningful differences in college admissions and early career opportunities.
Japan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan to issue residency certificates online to nationals abroad
The Foreign Ministry said Monday that it will begin issuing residency certificates online to Japanese nationals living abroad through overseas diplomatic missions, except those in Iran and Russia, starting May 27. Currently, Japanese nationals living in foreign countries are required to receive the certificates in person at overseas diplomatic missions even if applications are submitted online. The upcoming change will allow people to complete the process of obtaining the certificates fully online. The "zairyu shomei" certificates are used by Japanese nationals living abroad as verification of their overseas addresses when registering real estate or carrying out pension-related procedures in Japan. The ministry plans to enable online issuances of birth certificates and marriage and divorce certificates in stages from July. It will also continue to issue paper certificates.
Jordan Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
ACC reports 19.5% increase in certificates of origin in first 4 months of 2025
ACC says that the total value of certificates of origin drops by 9 per cent in the first four months of 2025 to JD394 million compared with JD433 million in the same period last year (Photo courtesy of the Aqaba Container Terminal) AMMAN — The number of certificates of origin issued by the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) during the first third of 2025 for the export of goods to Arab and foreign countries rose by 19.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. According to statistical data obtained by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the number of certificates issued by the ACC during the first four months of 2025 reached 10,089, up from 8,440 during the same period last year. Despite the increase in quantity, the total value of these certificates dropped by 9 per cent in the first four months of 2025 to JD394 million compared with JD433 million in the same period last year, the ACC statistical data showed. Iraq topped the list of countries importing from Jordan in terms of value, with imports worth JD184 million across 1,038 certificates. It was followed by Egypt with nearly JD29 million (246 certificates), Switzerland with JD26 million (eight certificates), Syria with JD24 million (1,889 certificates), and Saudi Arabia with JD22 million (1,583 certificates). These five countries ranked highest in both value and volume. As for the types of products exported during the January-April of 2025, foreign-origin products (re-exported goods) led the way at JD204 million, followed by industrial products at JD84 million, agricultural goods at JD41 million, and Arab-origin goods at JD28 million, with the rest attributed to other products. The certificate of origin is an international trade document that certifies that goods in a specific shipment were wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country. Customs authorities use it to determine the eligibility of goods for import duties and trade regulations. ACC issues certificates of origin for Jordanian agricultural, animal, and raw natural products, as well as for foreign goods being re-exported or purchased locally under specific conditions. It also issues certificates for Jordanian industrial products upon the exporter's request, based on an original factory invoice endorsed by an industrial chamber, and a duly certified original certificate of origin confirming the Jordanian origin of the goods. Page 2
