Are your skills not aren't keeping up in today's fast-paced world? It's tough when technology, software, and working methods change rapidly. Constant learning is required, but who has the time or money? 

The good news is that there are now more high-quality and affordable online course platforms than ever. Whether you want to gain hard tech skills or soft skills like communication and leadership, online courses make skill enhancement possible on your schedule.

Why Do You Need to Enhance Your Skills?

With old skills becoming outdated and new skills in demand, lacking specific competencies can stall your career or make finding a job more challenging. Things move quickly today, and even skills you learned last year may need brushing up. 

The more abilities you develop, the more opportunities open up to you. Enhancing your skills, knowledge, and abilities pays dividends through the following:

● Increased job stability and security 

● Ability to take on more challenging, interesting assignments

● Confidence to take on leadership and strategic roles 

● Options to freelance or take on side work

● Overall career advancement and earning potential

The costs of letting skills lag can be high. Now is the time to get up to speed. 

Online Learning Makes It Possible

Previously, advancing your skills meant leaving work for long stretches to take courses or pursuing lengthy certification programs. Today's online learning options remove these barriers so you can build competencies while still working.

Top online course platforms make skill building so convenient. By offering:

● Accessible pricing: Courses cost far less than traditional education 

● Top instructors: Learn from the best teachers and working professionals

● Flexibility: Take courses anywhere at any hour that works for you

● Self-pacing: Go faster or slower as needed to absorb materials properly

● Updated content: Companies constantly refresh course content as fields evolve

Online learning finally makes continuous skills enhancement realistic.

7 Top Platforms for Valuable Courses 

Many online course marketplaces and platforms exist today. To help you skill up most effectively, here is our pick of 7 top platforms offering valuable skill enhancement courses:

1.Udemy

With over 180,000 online video courses in topics ranging from programming to management, Udemy is a leading marketplace connecting working professionals who teach with lifelong learners. 

Standout features:

● Huge course selection 

● Frequent discounts make courses very affordable

● Beginner to advanced level courses

2.LinkedIn Learning

Trusted for its quality business, technology and creative skill courses, LinkedIn Learning features highly produced video lessons from seasoned professionals.

Key advantages:

● Insights into what skills are in demand via LinkedIn's data

● Clean course interface & quality video content

● Export certificates upon course completion

3.Skillshare 

With creativity at its core, Skillshare offers endless inspiration through online classes in illustration, graphic design, photography, and much more. 

Why students love Skillshare:

● Inspiring, critique-free creative community

● Top teachers working in creative fields

● Premium classes included with affordable subscriptions 

4.Coursera

Choose from over 5,000 courses on trending topics and foundational business and tech skills on Coursera. Study at top universities and earn certificates.

Benefits:

● Huge topic variety, including coding, data science, leadership and beyond 

● Earn certificates from top schools like Yale, University of Michigan, etc.

● 7-day free trial 

5.edX

Created by Harvard and MIT, edX features university-level courses needed to advance in tech careers today, including coding, cybersecurity, game design and more. 

Why edX stands out:

● Huge selection of tech-focused courses 

● Trusted certificates from schools like MIT, Microsoft and IBM

● Many free audit options 

6.FutureLearn

On FutureLearn, you can choose short online courses lasting up to 12 weeks in tech, leadership, social media marketing, and much more from top UK and international universities.

Awesome extras:

● 10-20 hours/week of flexible study 

● Mobile app to learn on the go 

● Discuss what you learn with other students

7.Shaw Academy

Study career-focused finance, tech, health & wellness courses, and more with flexible online classes from Shaw Academy.

Key features:

● Career-oriented courses tied to in-demand jobs  

● 24/7 live student support from faculty 

● Certification upon completing courses

The opportunities to advance your skills through online learning are incredible thanks to platforms like these. No matter your career stage or aspirations, one of these sites likely offers the valuable, in-demand skill enhancement you seek. 

Start Building Your Skills Today 

Now is the ideal time to invest in yourself by developing the capabilities needed for the future. The costs of skills gaps will only grow while the incentives to build skills proactively improve daily. 

Review some of the platforms above that offer courses matching your interests. Create an account and start sampling some free lessons. Before you know it, you'll be on the way to new skills, opening new possibilities.

Continuous skills enhancement offers immense personal satisfaction, career opportunities, and other rewards. Don't wait any longer—commit now to lifelong learning and let these platforms make it easy for you.