USQ offers free UpSkill courses

USQ is offering free courses to anyone and everyone. Here’s how to get involved.

Toowoomba Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald.

They are the minicourses making massive differences across the world.

Now the University of Southern Queensland is offering another round of five free UpSkill programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – the perfect end to a long, arduous year.

The suite of online minicourses – which involve around 40 hours of learning over four weeks – can be stacked up to contribute to a university qualification.

Since the first round of free offers in May, more than 1500 students from 40 countries have enrolled.

Among them was 40 year-old German-born Anne Tanner who completed Campaigning for Change at no cost, apart from her own time.

“This is the very first time I have attempted a course on academic level and English is my second language so there were many challenges in putting the assessment together,” Ms Tanner said.

“I am blown away by the feedback and score.

“2020 is obviously a year for new challenges, so I thought why not see what I can achieve?

“I have enjoyed the course very much – it’s so applicable in real life.”

In the same class was Toowoomba Regional Council Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald who also completed Campaigning for Change.

“You can’t put a price tag on education, but by offering these minicourses at no cost during one of the most costly periods in our region’s history, it gives people more incentive to enrol,” Cr McDonald said.

All up, there are around 30 minicourses available to study including five free USQ UpSkill minicourses:

• Understanding the Human Cyber Threat (for non IT professionals)
• Creativity in Entrepreneurship
• The Ethical Leadership Path
• Planning for moving people
• Campaigning for Change

Another option is to register and pay for three mini courses and receive one free from the entire range of UpSkill.

Learners who successfully complete the optional assessment will receive a digital badge.

Enrolments close at 9am on November 23.

For further information, visit: www.usq.edu.au/upskill.