5 Marketable Skills You Can Learn Through Free and Paid Online Classes

One thing that many people are realizing these days is that being stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown is an opportunity to learn new skills or to brush up on the ones one might already have. Thanks to the internet, most people now have access to a wealth of resources available online that they can use specifically for this purpose. For example, there are numerous free and paid online classes out there that one can explore to expand one’s horizons.

The great thing about online classes is the variety of subject matters available. It’s just as easy to find classes that aim to prepare people for vocational trades as it is to discover classes that are meant to provide instruction in other fields like marketing, business management, finance, and the arts. Additionally, while there are courses that are being offered by traditional academic institutions, there are also those that originate from many individual and independent experts..

After you’ve mastered a new skill, the best part is that you can also earn extra income by turning it into a home-based business. It is certainly something that you can consider if you’re looking for a source of income that can help tide you over during this lockdown period⁠—or even one that can become your primary means of livelihood afterwards.

Here are just some ideas on the hottest marketable skills that you can acquire through online classes. One of them might just be for you.

Cooking and Baking

Being stuck at home may have made you realize the importance of domestic skills such as cooking. If the most you can do in the kitchen is boil a pot of water for instant noodles, don’t fret as there are a lot of online cooking classes and lectures that you can take advantage of. Baking is another sought-after skill among homebodies because of the variety of pastries and sweets one can create in the comfort of one’s home. As you can imagine, learning how to cook and bake can be the catalyst of a future lucrative F&B business that you can set up, whether it’s a meal prep service, a baked goods store, or a full-scale restaurant.

Video Editing

A lot of people are getting into video editing these days because of the general popularity of websites, social media sites, and other online properties, which typically require a lot of content to manage. Indeed, learning how to come up with fun, exciting, and engaging videos is key to creating and sustaining a great online portal or social media channel. Of course, this is something you can also do for other people such as showbiz personalities, entrepreneurs, and influencers, which means you can make money out of the skill even if you don’t plan to launch your own online properties soon.

Virtual Assistance

Providing services as a virtual assistant is another global trend among home-based workers.After all, it’s a very convenient work arrangement because one does not have to physically report to an office to be able to act as an assistant. This is true whether you plan on becoming an assistant to an entire company, to a busy high-powered executive, or even to a full-time mom needing help with office tasks. Virtual assistants have been growing in popularity over the past few years for the valuable service that they provide, so you probably won’t have any trouble finding employment either..

Language Tutoring

Learning a new language is so much easier and more convenient today with the help of computers. Since we Filipinos are generally adept at English, it’s probably a good idea to take a class or two in teaching English to develop your skills when it comes to teaching this language to others who might also want to learn it. You might even find that language tutoring is a fun and enjoyable way to make a living because it keeps you in touch with people from different walks of life and cultural backgrounds.

Fashion Design

Creative expression has become a popular trend among young people, thanks in large part to the vibrant online marketplaces for fashionable clothing and accessories that have emerged in recent years. If you feel you’ve always had a knack for fashion, take it up a notch by taking online classes in design, sewing, dressmaking and other related skills. You might be surprised at the creations you can come up with.

In all these endeavors, one technological partner that you will definitely need is Maya. It is a life-changing mobile money and online payment platform that provides convenience and security in matters related to cashless transactions. You simply need to download the app, open an account, and you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits and advantages of a high-tech mobile wallet. First of all, you can use Maya to purchase mobile or Internet load without leaving your home—a necessity if you will be spending a lot of hours taking classes online.

You can also use the virtual Visa or Mastercard prepaid card that comes with your Maya account to pay for the online classes you’re taking, wherever the school may be based. Using your Maya virtual prepaid card allows you to carry out online payments that would normally require a physical credit or debit card..

Once you’ve mastered your new skill, Maya also comes in handy when you start your own business. You can start a small online store and accept payments through money remittance from other Maya users, who can send you cash directly to your wallet or your bank account. Should you decide to eventually open a brick-and-mortar store for your business, you can also sign up for a Maya QR code so other Maya users can use the scan-to-pay feature when purchasing your goods in-store.

In this fast-changing world, it’s important to keep abreast of the tools and resources that you can use to create opportunities for yourself. By taking online classes, you’ll be opening yourself up to the possibility of finding new means of earning a living that could even become the precursor of a lucrative business that you truly enjoy.