Standards and procedures change often in the construction industry. If you work in construction, you have to keep up.
Luckily, there are plenty of free online courses that cover various developments in the industry and ways to build more efficiently.
If you're not working in the construction industry yet, free courses can also give you a great introduction to basic building concepts.
Top Free Online Construction Courses
Keep reading for more details on the free construction courses available online from top education platforms.
1. Alison
Alison is a leading learning platform where all courses are free, including dozens of construction courses.
From Alison, you could take free courses in some of the following areas:
- construction safety and health
- rigging and lifting
- forklift operation
- traffic marshaling
- structural engineering
- construction project management
Some of these courses come with a certificate of completion. Longer courses might even offer a diploma.
Most of the courses are only a few hours long, but certificate and diploma courses are usually around 20 hours or more.
2. Coursera
Coursera is a popular learning platform with more than 1,000 construction courses available.
Most of these courses are free to audit, although you'll typically have to pay a fee if you want a certificate or diploma.
Coursera courses are provided by some of the world's top universities and are often based on courses taught on campus.
Courses available on the Coursera platform for the construction industry include:
- Construction Management
- Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control
- Construction Finance
- BIM Application for Engineers
- Sustainable Building and Green Construction
3. EdApp
EdApp is a mobile app that offers safety and other courses across many industries, including construction.
Free construction courses available through EdApp include:
- Pneumatic Tools Safety
- Radiation Safety
- Residential and Commercial Safety
- Safe Use of Machinery
- Handling Power Tools
To access the EdApp courses, you'll have to register and download the app. However, registration is completely free.
EdApp also offers paid courses that are more detailed and extensive and come with certificates of completion.
4. edX
The edX platform offers numerous free and paid construction courses from some of the world's top colleges and universities.
Courses available cover some of the following topics:
- sustainable building design
- urban rail development
- energy demand in buildings
- managing building adaptation
This platform also has courses available in other fields related to construction, such as civil engineering and structural engineering.
The free courses on edX are audit only, meaning you won't be tested on what you learned or earn a certificate of completion.
5. Swayam
Swayam is a learning platform created by the Indian Ministry of Education. The platform is dedicated to free online education.
Courses are available in a variety of areas, including construction. Most courses are delivered in English.
Topics covered include construction industry safety and principles of construction management.
It is important to note that some of these courses may cover concepts or regulations that aren't applicable outside of India.
6. Udemy
Most courses on the Udemy platform are not free. However, there are nine construction courses that are.
Most of the free courses offered cover a single topic and are between one and three hours long.
Topics covered include:
- building information modeling (BIM)
- autocad drawing
- fire and life safety
- basic bar bending schedule preparation
7. YouTube
All videos on YouTube are free and many instructors and industry experts have uploaded construction courses and training there.
One series, Building Materials and Construction, consists of 40 lectures that you can watch at your own convenience.
Characterization of Construction Materials is another basic course that includes 68 separate videos.
If you search for construction training courses, you'll find many other videos—just check to make sure the provider is reputable.
FAQs About Free Online Construction Courses
Read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about construction courses available online for free.
How Can I Learn Basic Construction Skills?
Many people who work construction learn basic skills through on-the-job training, but you can also learn through a trade school or online.
There are lots of free online construction courses that will give you a good understanding of industry basics, including safety issues.
Do Free Online Construction Courses Have Certificates?
Some free courses include a certificate of completion (or even a diploma) that you can share with current or future employers.
However, most free courses do require you to pay a fee if you want a certificate at the end of the course.
Are Free Online Courses Actually Free?
Yes, there are a lot of courses online that are 100% free to take. You just have to keep in mind that you won't get a lot of feedback.
Free courses typically don't include scored tests or quizzes or any interaction with the instructor.
Find the Right School for Construction Today
Whether you work in construction or just aspire to one day, free online courses can help you stay up to date with industry developments.
