Even though we are seeing restrictions start to lift and the weather start to improve, keeping yourself entertained during lockdown can still be pretty challenging.
If you find yourself with lots more time on your hands, now is the perfect time to learn something new.
How often do we all say that we didn’t take advantage of the summer holidays when we were in school? Well now’s your chance to make the most of this time.
Come out of lockdown with a new skill – whether it be for personal development, just for fun or to totally pivot your career.
We’ve put together our Top 5 sources of free online learning to help you choose –
Wagamama Wok From Home
It’s in the news today that Wagamama are trying to re-open their restaurants some time in June. But if you are looking for ways to recreate their recipes then Wok From Home is for you.
They are releasing a number of episodes to help you learn to make their favourite dishes. Everything from Katsu Curry (a big favourite of the Charterhouse team) to Chicken and Prawn Yaki Soba. There are step by step videos on their YouTube channel which are so simple to follow – no more having to read recipes or guess the techniques.
Amaze your family with a Wagamama evening and pick up some additional cooking skills in the process
Codecademy
Maybe you’ve always been interested in learning to code, or even finding out what coding actually entails? As the world moves more and more into tech lead solutions, maybe now is the perfect time to re-train?
Don’t know your Java from your Python? No need to worry. You can take their quiz to find out which course will be best suited to you. There are lots of free resources available or, for those more serious about coding as a career, you can choose one of their career paths to help you on your way.
Watercolours by Skill Share
You may be more creative and have a real passion for drawing and painting? Or maybe simply spending time outdoors away from the office has inspired you to paint?
Skill Share has everything from the beginner level Learning Watercolour Essentials to step by step courses on more advanced techniques. There’s something for everyone! And don’t worry, if watercolours doesn’t get you excited then there are lots of other creative courses that are free – everything from music and photography to leadership and analytics.
Yale’s Science of Wellbeing
This is THE most popular course ever released by Yale with over 2m people already enrolled. If you are interested in increasing your own happiness and learning skills that could give you a tangible career benefit, this is the course for you.
As we are writing this, it’s National Mental Health Awareness Week and never has mental health been affecting as many people as it is now. Uncertainty, isolation, finances – it all adds up and this course will help you build more productive habits not just for yourself, but that you can share with family and friends. Or maybe it can be your new career? 36% of people who complete this course have started a new career in wellness.
Google Digital Garage
This isn’t just about using Google products or how to advertise online. Google have created a suit of personal development courses that are perfect for this time. You can learn how to land your next job, increase your productivity and lots more.
Maybe you’ve always struggled to speak up in meetings – Google has a course to help. Maybe you’re a manager and you’d like to learn more about emotional intelligence – Google has a course to help. In fact, Google has so many courses that it’s a great place to start if you need inspiration.
Everything we have talked about is free – all you need to invest is your time.
If you would like any help or guidance with regards to your career choices, speak to one of our specialist consultants. Whilst it may be a little quieter than normal but there are companies who are still really keen to interview great people and use virtual onboarding to get them into their teams. Take a look at our most recent jobs here.
