Is LinkedIn Learning Worth It?

LinkedIn Learning offers e-learners a platform to access thousands of different programs and certifications, many focused on business and technology. But how much can you actually learn via LinkedIn Learning courses and, with many competing education providers, is LinkedIn Learning worth it? 

LinkedIn Learning | Key benefits 

Like all online education programs, LinkedIn Learning courses offer users flexibility that you wouldn’t get with traditional education. 

Users can learn on the go via the app on their phone or tablet, or they can complete courses on their computer. Each course is also split into modules made up of short videos—often less than five minutes long—making it easier to work through content.  

Delivering content via video makes for an easy learning experience, particularly popular among younger users. Studies show ‘Gen Z’ learners (those born between the mid 1990s and 2010s) increased their consumption of video learning content by 50% from 2019 to 2020.

There are currently more than 16,000 courses available on the platform, in more than seven languages, and LinkedIn says it adds more than 50 courses each week. While LinkedIn Learning offers full professional learning certifications which contain hours of content made up of multiple topics and modules, the most popular programs tend to focus on upskilling in specific areas like Excel, Python, and Javascript. 

“We’re committed to making digital skills more accessible to help people around the world land their next job,” says Jolie Miller, LinkedIn Learning’s director of business and creative content strategy.

Read: 8 LinkedIn Learning Courses To Do Before Your MBA

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“LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform that helps professionals learn relevant skills to achieve their goals.”

This focus on upskilling suits the current climate. The 2020 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Prospective Students Survey found 37% of students considering postgraduate business education said the main motivation for applying was to upskill in order to find a job. 

Platforms offering courses in specific skills are well suited for this, thinks John Gurskey, client and career development director at Melbourne Business School. 

“I do believe micro-credentials, that provide an in-demand skill, are growing in popularity,” he says. 

Among Fortune 100 Companies, 78 say they use LinkedIn Learning to help their employees reskill, while a recent study also found 84% of managers believe online learning can help close skills gaps on their teams. 

LinkedIn Learning | Cost & ROI

LinkedIn Learning costs relatively little, with monthly subscriptions starting at $28 giving unlimited access to courses, as well as access to the wider LinkedIn services. This is a fraction of the cost of a place at business school, which averaged around $168,000 at top schools in 2020.

There are also some LinkedIn Learning free courses and pathways on offer. The platform recently identified 10 in-demand jobs which look set to grow in the future, and made their related courses freely available.

Obviously, the added cost of an MBA comes with a substantially more in depth and tailored learning experience. The pre recorded video format of LinkedIn Learning courses means users don’t have the same opportunity to interact with teachers, and there is less variety in the tasks set during the course. 

A LinkedIn Learning certificate will also be less valuable to employers than a degree from a recognized business school. 

“LinkedIn Learning enables students to demonstrate continuous learning and a growth mindset, although it is more likely to serve students well in conversation with employers or during networking, rather than as a line on their CV,” says Lisa Umenyiora (pictured), executive director of careers and student life at Imperial College Business School.

For students who are prepared to spend the money on a degree from an established business school, online programs—which have grown in popularity during the pandemic—also offer students a similarly flexible method of study to LinkedIn Learning. 

When compared with other similar online learning platforms, LinkedIn Learning offers good value. Coursera offers monthly subscriptions for its platform beginning at $39, which gives access to some, but not all, of its 3,000 courses and specializations. Another competitor, edX, boasts 2650 courses which cost anywhere between $50 and $300 each. 

LinkedIn Learning offers an experience which is entirely different to traditional business school education. The platform is a solid contender in the e-learning space, offering the chance to hone your existing skills or learn new ones. 

Like all online courses, the flexible format provides a manageable learning experience. By operating a monthly subscription, LinkedIn Learning also offers a worthwhile investment if you plan on continuously topping up your skills. 

For those looking to continue their professional development, or ensure their knowledge is up to date in their current job, LinkedIn Learning offers an affordable way to do that.

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