Are there skills you want but don’t have? We've got you!
If you’re feeling a bit stuck and need to freshen up your skills at work, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you’re interested in a leadership position, or you want to brush up on your work skills so you can work smarter. We all know it can be tough finding the time (and money!) to get extra qualifications or improve on skills. You can be really great at the job you’re doing, but what about if you want to diversify?
There are a whole lot of free or low-fee courses you can do. And sometimes, if it’s related to your current job, you can even ask your employer to fund valuable training that can give you the edge you’re after. We’ve put together this list of FREE and low-fee resources so you can update your skills, learn new ones or move into a different type of role.
Need to hone your computer skills?
Computer & tech skills for beginners
Need tips to get around your computer efficiently? If you haven’t needed to use computers much in your work so far, but you’re curious about what they can offer, try this beginner’s course to get an overview of how to identify useful computer skills and programs.
Be Connected: Getting Apps
Keep up to date in your profession
Professional development
If you work in Early Childhood Education you would know that new research and professional practices are constantly being updated. If you’re not already a UWU member, join up to access our union-funded professional learning program and unlock your career potential.
UWU: Early Educator Professional Development
Professional development is often part of your workplace agreement if you are a permanent staff member. Check your agreement and ask your union representative, if you have one, about what access you have to professional development training through work. If you’re not sure how to find your agreement, you can search on the Fair Work Commission website.
Project management fits into a lot of roles
Get a start – or some new tips – on Project Management
A lot of us have used Excel or other types of spreadsheets, but are you confident you’re using them efficiently? Try this Skill Finder training, Excel Basics (in just 2 hours!).
Beginner’s Guide to Excel
Sick of not being able to sync your data across your devices? This course will streamline your data so you can access your rosters and schedules easily.
Google Backup and Sync for Dummies
Have you used Google forms? Organize events, purchase orders, worksheets or customer feedback with these templates. Learn the all tricks on Skill Finder.
Beginner’s Guide to Google Forms
Interested in gaining some leadership skills?
Being a leader at your workplace doesn’t always involve managing others. You can manage projects or programs, or look after co-workers by training in workplace safety or being a union delegate.
People management
If you’ve been working for a long time at the same workplace, you might have a whole lot of knowledge that would be valuable to others, but without experience in people management, it can be hard to move into a management role. Try these courses in managing teams, conflict resolution and setting goals at work to achieve collective aims.
Skill Finder: People management
Become a Union Delegate
If you’re interested in leading coworkers to achieve collective goals and a better working conditions, why not consider becoming a delegate? Information. UWU delegate training can be found on our training page.
UWU: Delegate Training
Health & Safety officer
OHS officers have extra power in the workplace, make incident reports, identify hazards and improve safety conditions. If you’re an OHS officer, you can be responsible for the physical and mental well-being of staff at your workplace and gain sought-after skills in First Aid.
UWU: HSR Training
Difficult conversations at work
Sometimes skills aren’t all about the work itself. Team work is often about relationships. When things aren’t fair, workloads are tough or workers aren’t being treated with respect, it can be hard to address without being concerned about conflict. This downloadable guide from Fair Work will walk you through challenges with management, workers or workloads.
United Workers Union training
Of course, your union is a great support in this area. We often advise that it’s best to try to address things personably first. If conflict follows, then it’s a good time to get in touch with our member Rights Team in your state or territory. Details can be found under Contact Us on the UWU website.
UWU’s 2026 Member Workshop program includes a session on raising issues with your boss and can be found on our Member Workshops page, free for members.
General job skills
Resume and cover letter writing
UWU members can access a FREE workshop on resume writing that includes a workbook to guide you through identifying and presenting your skills and, if successful, how to navigate the interview process.
If you’re expanding your skillset and looking for new opportunities outside your current job, watch our video and get advice about red flags to watch out for when job hunting.