Digital Skills Resources for Washingtonians: Home

Washington State Library (WSL), and public, Tribal, and college libraries statewide are providing access to sought-after digital and IT skills with quality online courses and self-directed learning, leading to industry-recognized credentials that validate these skills to employers.  

These resources are funded by the Washington State Legislature to provide free and accessible pathways to living wage jobs, and to help the people of Washington reach their personal, professional, and creative goals.

Use any of these resources to brush up on a topic, help you work through a problem at work or school, explore learning new skills, or even prepare for a certification.

Why Earn A Certification?

According to a recent report from the National Skills Coalition;

Free Upskilling and Reskilling resources available through Washington Libraries:

• Northstar Digital Skills Assessments and Northstar Online Learning
  • Provides strengths-based foundational digital skills classes, assessments, and a digital literacy certification in English and Latin-American Spanish.
  • This platform is used in multiple ways across Washington; in public, tribal, and college libraries and community-based organizations.
  • Visit our Northstar Guide for more details.

• LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
  • Access to standalone video tutorials, courses, and full learning paths that prepare learners for a wide variety of professional, technical, and creative skillsets.
  • Includes courses and learning paths that prepare learners for industry-specific certifications.
  • Available in every public Library in Washington.
  • Visit our LinkedIn Learning guide for more details

• Self-Paced Courses and Practice Exams with GMetrix
  • Realistic Simulations: hands-on, real world simulations of the software applications testing in certification exams, including timed practice exams to help learners prepare for the actual exam environment.
  • Detailed Feedback: GMetrix gives learners feedback and performance analytics, highlighting areas for improvement to focus efforts.
  • Customized Learning Paths: GMetrix courses tailor study materials and practice tests based on individual skill levels. Start where you are.
  • Visit our GMetrix guide for more details.

• Self-Paced Courses from Cisco Networking Academy
  • Hosted on Netacad.com, choose from hundreds of free, self-paced, certification-aligned courses in topics like cybersecurity, networking, and Python.
  • WSL partners to host 24 courses aligned with certification preparation.
  • Visit our Cisco guide for more details.

• Microsoft LEARN (formerly Imagine Academy)
  • Microsoft LEARN provides up-to-date information and hands-on training materials for individuals and organizations looking to learn or enhance their skills and knowledge of Microsoft technologies.
  • The platform offers a wide range of free, self-paced courses, documentation, and tutorials, available to keep up-to-date with ever-changing products.
  • Visit our Microsoft LEARN guide for more details.

• FREE Certification Exam Voucher Program
  • Provides a variety of certification vouchers free to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Washington.
  • Utilize LinkedIn Learning, GMetrix, Cisco Netowrking Academy, and Microsoft LEARN to prepare.
  • Program requires a score of 80% or higher on a practice test or proof of completion and a passing grade in an applicable course.
  • Visit our certification exam guide for more details.

^1 National Skills Coalition, "Expanding Opportunities: Defining Quality Non-Degree Credentials for States" (2019) https://nationalskillscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/9.18-NSC_QNDC-paper_web.pdf.