The 9 Best IT Certification Courses for Beginners

Are you thinking of starting an IT role? Learning new skills will help you gain confidence to start your IT career. Since online learning became popular, you probably feel overwhelmed and don’t know which course to pick. We’ve rounded up some of the best beginner IT courses for you.

Google courses are some of the best pathways to an IT career. This six-month course teaches in-demand skills, including cloud computing, network protocols, binary code, troubleshooting, Linux, domain name system (DNS), and customer service.

If you feel like you’re automatically disqualified from a job role because you don’t have a college degree or an IT job, this is the course for you. Without credentials, you might struggle with looking for a good-paying job. This certificate from Google prepares you for entry-level IT jobs even if you didn’t finish a four-year course or work at a tech company.

If you want to know how to launch a career in tech with no experience, start with this course. Afterward, you’ll be able to apply for jobs such as IT Specialist, IT Technician, IT Support Specialist, Computer User Specialist, and IT Assistant.

If managing a project excites you, try this short course from Udemy. The beginner-friendly lessons cover 32 bite-sized lectures (2.33 hours total) that take you through the basics of leading a project from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll learn the hard and soft skills every project manager should have.

IT project managers plan, execute, and oversee projects in organizations. You might handle various tasks, such as changing cloud providers, developing software, and upgrading networks. It’s one of the most challenging careers since you’ll also need technical skills and IT knowledge.

You can get IT and tech jobs that don’t require programming or coding (like IT Project Manager). However, if you want to expand your IT career choices, learning to code is one of the best ways to go about it. If you’re willing to learn how to code from scratch, try Skillshare’s Coding for Beginners.

The class includes 50 lessons (11.16 hours) on Python and Scratch. Scratch is a free and simple programming language targeted at kids. It helps you create interactive games, stories, and animations. Meanwhile, Python is a popular coding language with many uses, like web development and data sciences.

Aside from introducing you to common terms in programming, the course also gives you hands-on exercises. You’ll learn foundational theory and apply it to a simple project. By the end of the lessons, you’ll be building your first app!

If you’re new to IT and want to see how IT benefits organizations, this is the best beginner certification course for you. Many industries heavily rely on IT to function optimally. IT Technology Foundations helps you understand the basics and prepares you to work in multiple sectors.

Learning IT Foundations with edX takes only six weeks. The lessons examine how the IT system helps business growth, profitability, and productivity. You’ll learn various administrative roles, methodologies when developing new projects, and ethical considerations in the IT field. You’ll also be introduced to technologies in different IT disciplines, such as data management, business, and network and security.

Don’t be intimidated by the course title. CompTIA simply means Computing Technology Industry Association, an American nonprofit trade association that’s been around since 1982. A+ is the certification you need to apply for entry-level IT jobs.

CompTIA is the industry standard in IT certifications, and A+ is perfect for professionals who want to branch out their IT skills in the future. The course covers various topics to prepare you for your IT career: hardware, troubleshooting, computer networking, operating systems, mobile devices, cloud computing, and IT security.

To get your certification, you must pass the Core 1 and Core 2 exams, which run for 90 minutes each. Since IT skills are required to support several industries with a growing demand for remote work, the exams will also cover the necessary technologies to enable hybrid work setups.

CompTIA requires more time and effort than the other courses listed here. You’ll need 9-12 months of experience or equivalent training to take the CompTIA A+ exams. Your certification will then be valid for three years. After this, you can renew it by taking additional training, earning a higher-level IT certification, or earning 20 continuing education units (CEUs).

Are you undecided about pursuing an IT career? Are you thinking of how to switch to a career in tech? Are you struggling with self-doubt because you don’t have technical skills? CompTIA IT Fundamentals is the best course for you.

CompTIA ITF+ helps you gain confidence in IT skills. You’ll learn the features of common operating systems and software applications. The course will also introduce you to IT terms and concepts, infrastructure, and best practices in IT security.

To get certified, you’ll have to take a 60-minute exam. If you pass, you can proceed with enrolling for an A+ certification.

Cybersecurity professionals are some of the most in-demand skilled workers today. PR Newswire reports that cybersecurity job postings have increased in recent years. If dealing with ransomware and cyberattacks makes you feel like a noble Jedi, this is the course for you.

Guided by the CompTIA Security+ Certification, Fundamentals of Cybersecurity walks you through basic social engineering tactics that scammers use. You’ll learn to identify a cyberattack and develop strategies to ward off the threat. Even if you decide not to pursue an IT career, you’ll find this course valuable for personal use.

With more companies allowing flexible work arrangements, professionals should learn the basic tech skills you’ll need as a remote worker. Aside from this, you’ll have to know the latest tech trends, effective presentation skills, and best practices to improve your well-being. This course is a holistic approach to learning all this foundational knowledge.

Skills to Succeed in the Digital Workplace runs for ten weeks and is helpful to all professionals in various industries. Industry experts will share their best practices to improve online presence, communication, remote work, storytelling, and more. If you’re planning to shift to a tech career while working remotely, this is the course for you.

Apple fans, rejoice! If you’d like to take your fandom one step further, why not explore a tech career in troubleshooting Apple devices? Jamf shares that Mac usage is growing in enterprises. Additionally, most tablets used in the workplace are iPads, and 49% of smartphones deployed in US businesses are iPhones. If so, tech professionals with Apple tech support experience will be in high demand.

This 14-hour course requires you to read tutorials on iPhone, iPad, and Mac tech support. You’ll learn how to set up and restore devices, manage network sharing and security, and run diagnostics. lf you get at least 80% on the online exam, you’ll earn the Apple Certified Professional digital badge.

Apple recommends 30-60 hours of exam preparation. You can practice answering the sample questions, reviewing the lessons, or familiarizing yourself with Apple devices. Make sure that you have your Apple ID and password to be able to take the exam.

Get Certified and Launch Your IT Career

Learning never stops in the ever-changing IT field. Even if you’re a fresh grad or career shifter, starting an IT career is possible. While these beginner courses aren’t free, they still beat spending thousands of dollars per academic year in college.

These courses set you up for career advancement. Some are more challenging than others, so spend a part of your day researching the IT career path you want to take. Once you zero in on your chosen field, invest in one of these courses and launch your IT career.