Free Online Courses by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Training Centre in 2026
Looking for free online courses to improve your professional skills in 2026? The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) offers a catalogue of free, self-guided training courses covering labour rights, project management, artificial intelligence, gender equality, occupational safety and health, sustainable development, labour migration and other important professional fields.
The courses are designed for individuals who want to develop their knowledge, strengthen their professional skills and explore new areas of expertise. Many courses are available online, allowing learners to study independently.
According to the ITCILO course catalogue, 94 free courses are listed in this collection. Course availability, language options and delivery formats vary.
Overview of the Free ILO Online Courses
- Organisation: International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO)
- Opportunity type: Free online courses and professional training
- Cost: Free for the courses marked as free
- Learning format: Self-guided, with online options available
- Fields of study: Labour law, human rights, gender equality, project management, artificial intelligence, migration, social protection and more
- Languages: Depending on the course, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and several other languages
- Location: Online for courses designated as online
- Application deadline: Check the individual course page for any applicable requirements or deadlines
About the ITCILO Free Online Training Programme
The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization provides learning opportunities related to decent work, labour standards, employment, social protection and sustainable development.
Its free course catalogue includes introductory courses, masterclasses, toolkits and massive open online courses (MOOCs). These learning resources can help professionals, students, researchers, public officials, employers and workers’ representatives develop practical knowledge in their respective fields.
Because many of the courses are self-guided, participants can work through the learning materials independently rather than attending a traditional classroom programme.
Available Free Online Courses
The following are some of the courses listed in the ITCILO catalogue.
1. International Labour Standards and Human Rights
These courses are relevant to people interested in labour law, employment rights, workplace protections and international legal frameworks.
- Introduction to International Labour Standards
- Continuing Legal Education 1 – Introduction to International Labour Standards
- Employment Policy: Self-Guided Learning on ILO Convention No. 122
- Discrimination, Violence and Harassment: Self-Guided Learning on ILO Conventions No. 111 and No. 190
- E-Learning Course on Forced Labour
- End Child Labour Masterclass
- Self-Guided Course on Reporting on Child Labour for Media
- Working Times and Teleworking
These courses may be useful for legal professionals, labour inspectors, policymakers, researchers, human rights practitioners and people working in employment-related organisations.
2. Gender Equality and Workplace Inclusion
The ITCILO catalogue includes training on equality, workplace discrimination and women’s empowerment.
Available courses include:
- Achieving Pay Equity in Your Company
- Closing Gender Pay Gaps
- Advancing Gender Equality in Trade Unions and the World of Work
- Disability in the Workplace
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the World of Work in Fragile, Conflict and Disaster Settings
- The Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer People in the World of Work
These courses can help learners understand workplace equality, inclusive employment practices and the importance of addressing discrimination.
3. Project Management and Professional Development
Professionals seeking to strengthen their project planning and implementation skills can explore the following options:
- Introduction to Project Cycle Management
- Evaluation for Resilience Masterclass
- Employment Masterclass
- Learning Analytics Fundamentals
- Digital Facilitation in Synchronous Events
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The Introduction to Project Cycle Management course is particularly relevant to people working in development projects, NGOs, public institutions and programme implementation.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Skills
The catalogue also includes training related to emerging technologies and digital transformation.
Courses include:
- Artificial Intelligence Masterclass
- Human-Centred AI for SMEs
- Transforming Enterprise Services with Digital and AI Tools
- Neurotechnologies for Capacity Development
- Quantum Readiness for the World of Work
- Microlearning Course 4-42: A Digital Inclusion Learning Journey
These courses may interest professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to understand how technology is changing workplaces, organisations and skills requirements.
5. Labour Migration and Employment
Learners interested in migration policy, recruitment practices and employment governance can explore:
- Developing and Implementing Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements
- Labour Migration Management in Southern Africa
- Labour Migration and Mobility Global Toolkit
- Employers’ Organizations Guide on Fostering Labour Migration Governance in Africa
- Training Toolkit on Labour Migration in Africa
- Training Toolkit on Establishing Fair Recruitment Processes
- Promoting Youth Employment: Challenges, Policies and Emerging Opportunities
- Transition from Informality to Formality
These courses are relevant to policymakers, researchers, development practitioners and professionals working on migration, employment and labour-market policy.
6. Sustainable Development and Responsible Business
The free catalogue contains courses addressing responsible business practices, environmental standards and sustainable economic development.
Examples include:
- Business and Decent Work
- Climate, Environmental and Social Standards MOOC – Sustain 2
- Responsible Business – Meeting Labour Standards in Global Supply Chains
- The Labour Dimension of National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights
- Trade and Investment for Decent Work
- The 2030 Agenda, Decent Work and Social Dialogue
- The Future of Work in the Rural Economy
- Advancing Decent Work in the Culture and Creative Sector
These learning opportunities may be valuable for people working in sustainability, corporate responsibility, international development and public policy.
7. Occupational Safety and Health
The catalogue includes several courses focused on safer working environments and the prevention of workplace hazards.
Examples include:
- Essentials of Fire Safety Inspection
- Fire Safety Management
- Improving Working and Health Conditions in Agriculture
- Management of the Chemical Risk in the Agricultural Sector
- Prevention and Protection Against Biological Hazards in the Working Environment
- Collective Action for a Safe Commute
These courses may be useful to occupational health and safety practitioners, workplace managers, agricultural professionals and other interested learners.
8. Social Protection and Financial Education
Learners interested in social protection systems and financial inclusion can also explore:
- Introduction to Social Health Protection
- Social Protection Masterclass
- Social Protection Microlearning
- Self-Guided Course on ILO/Pensions
- E-Learning Financial Education: Self-Guided Course
- Responsible Digitization of Wage Payments
Course content and delivery arrangements vary, so prospective participants should consult the relevant course pages before enrolling.
Who Can Apply for These Free Courses?
The catalogue covers a wide range of professional and academic interests. Depending on the subject, the courses may be suitable for:
- University students and recent graduates
- Early-career professionals seeking additional skills
- Lawyers and human rights practitioners
- Government officials and policymakers
- NGO and international development professionals
- Project managers and monitoring and evaluation practitioners
- Human resources and labour relations professionals
- Employers, workers’ representatives and trade union officials
- Researchers and academics
- Entrepreneurs interested in digital transformation and responsible business
Important: The catalogue does not establish one universal eligibility requirement for all 94 courses. Check the individual course page for any prerequisites, registration requirements or restrictions.
How to Access the Free ITCILO Courses
Follow these steps to find a suitable course:
- Visit the official ITCILO course catalogue using the link below.
- Browse the courses marked Free.
- Use the available filters to identify subjects, languages and learning formats that match your interests.
- Select a course to review its description and any registration instructions.
- Follow the official enrolment process provided on the course page.
Some courses may have additional conditions or specific delivery arrangements. Always verify the details on the official website before registering.
How to Choose the Right Course
To get the most value from these opportunities, choose training that supports your professional goals.
- For legal and policy careers: Consider International Labour Standards, employment policy and courses on labour rights.
- For NGO and development careers: Explore Project Cycle Management, Evaluation for Resilience and sustainable development courses.
- For human resources careers: Consider pay equity, workplace inclusion and labour relations.
- For migration and governance careers: Explore Labour Migration Management in Southern Africa and the courses on labour migration governance.
- For technology-related careers: Consider the Artificial Intelligence Masterclass and Human-Centred AI for SMEs.
- For occupational safety careers: Explore fire safety, workplace hazards and occupational health courses.
Before starting, confirm whether a course provides a certificate or digital credential. Free access to training does not automatically guarantee certification for every course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ITCILO courses free?
The courses featured in this catalogue are marked as free. Check the individual listing to confirm the cost and any conditions associated with participation.
Can I study online?
Many of the listed courses offer online learning. The catalogue also identifies courses as self-guided, enabling independent study where that format is available.
Which languages are available?
Language availability varies by course. Options across the catalogue include English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic, as well as other languages for selected courses.
Do I need to be an ILO employee?
The catalogue includes courses open to learners beyond the organisation. However, eligibility and registration conditions should be checked for each course.
Will I receive a certificate?
Certification arrangements are not established as a universal feature of the entire catalogue. Review the relevant course description to determine whether a certificate or digital credential is available.
What is the application deadline?
There is no single deadline stated for the entire collection. Consult the individual course listing for any applicable registration dates.
Official Application Link
To explore the available courses and begin the registration process, visit the official International Training Centre of the ILO course catalogue.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
Review the current listings carefully, select a course aligned with your career goals, and follow the official enrolment instructions.
Disclaimer: Jobs Space shares educational and professional development opportunities for informational purposes. The International Training Centre of the ILO is the official source for course details, eligibility, registration and certification information.
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