Underserved communities, including those identified as rural and low-income, are disproportionately impacted by this skills gap. Financial barriers and lack of digital access prevent underrepresented groups from pursuing higher education and career advancement, especially in fields like technology.
As a result, the demand for solutions like online career training is at an all-time high. These types of educational programs remove the obstacles that are tied to location, schedules, and steep tuition costs. Digital platforms help expand opportunities for students who might not have the time or the means to pursue traditional education.
Coursera is one platform that offers such learning opportunities by hosting affordable, online courses in job-ready areas like IT, business, and data science. Coursera Professional Certificates and MasterTrack Certificates give learners access to industry-focused courses, some of which have been co-developed by leading employers and higher education institutions.
For those in underserved communities, these certificate programs offer more than just skills training. They provide pathways to stable careers, upward mobility, and inclusion in the workforce.
Understanding the skills gap
The U.S. labor market is facing a widespread skills gap—an increasing mismatch between the skills job seekers possess and the skills employers need to stay competitive. Advances in fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and automation have outpaced traditional education and training, leaving employers struggling to fill some of their most critical roles.
Industries that have been significantly affected by this skills gap include technology, healthcare, and skilled trades, like manufacturing. For example, 90% of tech leaders have experienced difficulty in hiring for roles like AI developers, data scientists, and cloud engineers.1 Healthcare workers are having to upskill to adapt to new technologies like electronic health records (EHRs) while burnout continues to be a problem post-pandemic. Elsewhere, 73% of distribution and 77% of warehousing companies are experiencing labor shortages where skills in automation and robotics are in high demand.1
These shifts in the labor market disproportionately affect underserved communities. Barriers to skills and knowledge acquisition include high tuition costs, geographical inaccessibility, inflexible schedules to accommodate different lifestyles, and unreliable access to the internet.
A 2021 survey revealed that 65% of families below the federal poverty line had children who could not participate in remote classes or complete schoolwork during the pandemic because they lacked access to a computer.2 As the demand for new talent and new skills grows, the opportunity to access education to learn these skills continues to remain out of reach for many underserved populations.
Those who can access education are finding that the rising costs of a college education don’t justify the return on investment if it means taking on thousands of dollars in debt. Such barriers highlight the need for affordable and accessible pathways to skills and training, especially for those who can’t or aren’t willing to obtain traditional education.
Why online career training works for underserved communities
Online career training is a viable solution for meeting the needs of underserved communities. The main advantage of online career training is flexibility. Learners can access courses at any time, from anywhere, so long as they have a stable internet connection. This allows them to complete coursework at their own pace while balancing other responsibilities, like employment or family obligations. Not having to attend classes in person is a huge plus for learners who want an education but don’t always have the time or ability to commute to an institution.
Another critical advantage of online career training is affordability. Many online platforms like Coursera offer subscription models or pay-per-use models, which remove the high cost of tuition and fees that can keep traditional education out of reach. Free and low-cost training resources are also available through public agencies, nonprofits, and employer partnerships.
Online platforms also expand accessibility to learning since programs can be accessed from any location; all the learner needs is internet or mobile service. Some programs have even been designed with mobile learners in mind, as well as global learners who need to access courses in different languages. Course materials can reach rural learners, working adults, and non-native English speakers. By closing the access-to-education gap and reducing regional disparities, platforms like Coursera are allowing more learners to gain the skills they need to succeed in the job market.
Online career training is gaining recognition among employers, making it a welcome substitute for traditional education. Coursera’s courses, many of which are developed in collaboration with industry leaders, carry weight with hiring teams seeking candidates who have job-ready skills. These credentials are now considered legitimate in specific industries, like those facing critical labor shortages. They convey skills in preparedness and open the doors to career opportunities that were once closed to those from marginalized backgrounds.
Affordability, accessibility, and industry-recognized online training are helping underserved communities close the gaps in opportunities and skill development, opening a whole new world of career options.
Spotlight on Coursera Professional Certificates
Coursera Professional Certificates are hands-on programs designed to help learners gain job-ready skills in high-demand fields. Unlike traditional college degree programs, these certificates are developed with
industry leaders, like Google, IBM, and Intuit. They focus on helping learners gain practical experience with real-world projects and offer mentorship opportunities to those seeking new career opportunities or advancement in current roles.
Below are a few of Coursera’s Professional Certificate programs, all of which involve collaboration with major companies:
- Google IT Support. This foundational course is ideal for individuals with little to no prior technology experience. Students will learn skills like troubleshooting, networking, system administration, and security, after which they’ll be ready for entry-level jobs in information technology.
- Intuit Bookkeeping. Typically, entering the world of professional finance involves formal education or networking, but this Coursera course makes it accessible, flexible, and remote-friendly. Students learn how to build and manage spreadsheets, as well as accounting principles and practical financial tasks, which set them up for careers in accounting or other financial sub-sectors.
- Salesforce Sales Operations. For those interested in business technology, this course teaches students how to navigate customer relationship management (CRM) and sales tools like Salesforce. Certificate holders can apply for jobs at Salesforce, which are often remote-friendly and offer advancement potential and competitive salaries, or they can apply to jobs where Salesforce is a required skill.
- IBM Cybersecurity Analyst. With this certificate, students learn how to protect data and systems from cyber threats. The curriculum includes topics like security information and event management (SIEM), incident response, and penetration testing. Upon completing the certificate, job seekers can explore career opportunities in the high-demand field of cybersecurity.
One of the most attractive features of Coursera Professional Certificates is their affordability. Some courses start as low as $39 per month and require three to six months to complete. With this subscription model, students only pay for the time they need to complete the course, allowing them to make quick pivots to new career paths. Many of Coursera’s programs also include job search assistance, interview prep, and access to partnerships with major employers.
Coursera has a plethora of success stories from learners who have taken their courses, developed new skills, and landed their dream jobs. For example, one learner named Abijah from an under-resourced area of Zimbabwe was able to complete higher education credentials through Coursera in 14 months. Reflecting on completing his degree and certifications, he stated, “I wish more people with my background could experience that…if they could make it available to more people, the impact would be incredible.”
Another learner named Adrienne, a stay-at-home mom, secured a Google Project Management Certificate and broke into a role that was once out of her reach due to scheduling barriers.
These are two examples of how online professional certificates can open the door to a more secure future for learners from all backgrounds.
University certificates: Expanding access to graduate education
Learners who use Coursera can take advantage of more than just professional certificates. Coursera also offers university certificates for those seeking to advance their skills without committing to a full-time master’s degree. Built in partnership with major institutions around the country, these graduate or university certificates are designed for students who have commitments outside of school, such as working professionals, who may need to complete coursework at their own pace.
While a full master’s program can take a minimum of two years and cost tens of thousands of dollars, university certificates can be completed in as little as six months for much less of a financial investment. This makes them more accessible to students from underserved backgrounds and allows them to test out graduate studies without making a long-term commitment. Students can also stack certificates and earn credits toward a full master’s program later on.
Below are a few examples of university certificate programs offered through Coursera.
- The University of Chicago Strategic Leadership and Management Graduate Certificate. Students can develop skills like leadership, team management, and strategic thinking through hands-on coursework and projects. Afterward, they can transfer credits toward graduate business degrees, like an MBA program.
- The University of Chicago Digital Marketing Graduate Certificate. As part of this certificate program, which begins in January 2026, students learn skills such as digital marketing analytics, search engine optimization, and social media marketing.
- The HEC Paris Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship University Certificate. This certificate equips future entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders with the knowledge they need to build innovative companies. To start classes in December, prospective students should enroll by Nov. 17.
University certificate programs offer students affordable, flexible, and career-relevant courses they can use toward career advancement or transfer to full degree programs later on.
Employer and workforce development perspectives
Today’s employers are recognizing the value of skills-based hiring, especially when hiring from a diverse pool of candidates. Coursera’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report reveals that nearly 9 out of 10 employers have hired candidates who possess “micro-credentials,” like professional certificates, and that 91% believe entry-level employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher proficiency in essential job skills.3
A candidate who possesses micro-credentials presents less risk for the employer and removes the need to invest in training for new hires. This helps workers get up to speed faster, which is crucial in rapidly evolving fields like tech, healthcare, and business analytics.
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Through partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and local labor boards, Coursera has boosted access and equity in career training. For example, Coursera for Refugees is a program in collaboration with the U.S. State Department that provides on-demand skills to thousands of displaced learners. During the first year, more than 5,000 refugees earned Coursera certificates, and nonprofit partners like Save the Children and Upwardly Global have connected learners to job support services.4 By addressing language barriers, digital divides, and the need for affordable skills-building, Coursera for Refugees has solved critical challenges for displaced and marginalized populations.
Coursera is also expanding access to digital learning platforms on a more local level. In Illinois, for example, a local workforce board collaborated with Coursera to help retrain and upskill manufacturing workers for technology and logistics roles. In Egypt, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology scaled digital programs through Coursera to help support the country in providing education in data science and software engineering.5
Real-world impact: Stories from learners
Around the world, Coursera’s online career training has transformed thousands of people’s employability, especially those from underserved backgrounds who are unable to access traditional education pathways. Below are a few real-world examples of how Coursera’s programs have benefitted learners from around the world.
In the Philippines, a learner named Angelita wanted to serve as a medical responder for her community. Coursera’s emergency medicine courses were available to her through a partnership with the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Upon earning her certificate, Angelina volunteered as an EMT and was eventually hired by a regional health service.6
In Costa Rica, Coursera works closely with government agencies and the private sector, including a collaboration with IBM, to help citizens become employable in the local economy and multinational corporations. Their focus is on upskilling the local community in areas like advanced manufacturing, life sciences, light manufacturing, agribusiness, and food processing.6
The Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) in Indonesia integrated Coursera as part of its undergraduate curriculum. Since then, students have used their certification to apply for jobs and internships, and the faculty are implementing Coursera’s Course Builder to reframe the way they teach.7
Through Coursera, learners around the world can be part of the employable workforce at some of the largest companies.
Challenges that remain
Online career training has made tremendous strides, but there are still existing challenges. The first significant barrier is the digital divide. Limited access to a reliable internet connection and/or devices is especially pronounced in rural and low-income areas.
A second hurdle lies in employers’ acceptance of certificates when considering candidates for roles. Recognition of micro-credentials is growing, but not all hiring managers are familiar with the real-world value of these programs.
To solve these challenges, training providers and high-profile employers can advocate for the credibility of these programs. Scholarships can help spread awareness of these programs and their benefits, while also helping to offset course costs for things like internet access, devices, and course fees. Directly recruiting from certificate programs helps validate credentials and ensure more equality in the workforce.
Closing the employability gap
Online certificate programs have proven to be effective routes toward sustainable careers in high-demand industries. By breaking down systemic barriers that have kept underserved communities from accessing certain skill-based employment opportunities, programs like Coursera’s Professional Certificates offer flexible and affordable options. Through these programs, learners can gain real-world skills, earn credentials backed by higher education institutions and industry leaders, and apply for jobs no longer out of reach.
According to a Coursera survey, 77% of global learners felt that Coursera benefited their career by helping them feel more knowledgeable and giving them skills they could apply to their career. Additionally, 91% of learners from developing economies report career benefits from Coursera, such as job placement, promotions, and gaining employable skills.8 This data reveals the real-world value of professional certificate programs like Coursera in closing opportunity gaps and opening doors for people from all backgrounds.
Sources:
1https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/growing-skills-gap-2025-challenges-opportunities-way-forward-4qghc/
3https://www.coursera.org/enterprise/articles/micro-credentials-and-the-future-of-talent-cm
4https://blog.coursera.org/coursera-refugees-reflecting-first-year/
5https://www.jobspikr.com/blog/how-coursera-bridges-workforce-development-and-market-demand/
6https://www.s4ye.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/Coursera%20World%20Bank%20Webinar%202.24.21.pdf
7https://www.coursera.org/enterprise/resources/casestudy/upj-award-winner
8https://about.coursera.org/press/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Learner-Outcomes-Report-2023.pdf
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