COMMUNITY
SKILLS INITIATIVE
Community Skills Initiative is a free program built upon Microsoft’s Global Skills Initiative to help professionals and job seekers successfully navigate the paths to in-demand roles in a more digital economy.
ABOUT COMMUNITY SKILLS INITIATIVE.
Online Training For Job Seekers, Professionals,
and Students
Community Skills Initiative (CSI) is a free program, built upon Skills for Jobs learning pathways, to help job seekers successfully navigate the paths to in-demand roles in a more digital economy. These role-based learning paths provide opportunities for people—at any stage in their career—to reskill and upskill for in-demand roles.
Learn in-demand skills for free
Upskill at your own pace, in your own home or on the go, with Community Skills Initiative and NCW Tech Alliance. Courses are available in English and Spanish.
FREE on-demand courses with certificates
These courses don't take a lot of time to complete, and they can quickly equip you with new skills.
AI Skill-A-Thon.
Join the free AI Skill-A-Thon challenge
A free two month-long upskilling challenge with cash prizes. Take any course or pathway available from the Community Skills Initiative and earn points with certificates of completion. The more you learn, the more points you earn! Top winners in each category earn cash prizes.
Cash Prizes Available!
Everyone who earns a certificate of completion (for courses) or a Career Essentials Certificate (for entire learning pathways) could win a cash prize.
We welcome anyone with a mailing address in the following counties in Washington State to participate: Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Ferry, and Okanogan. See our FAQ page for instructions on how to sign up for a free LinkedIn account if you don't already have one.
How it works
The more you learn, the more points you earn!
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The competition runs from Aug. 11, 2025 until Sept. 30, 2025
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Must be 16+ to enter
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You must have a free LinkedIn account to earn certificates.
Earn Points
For each certificate you submit, you will receive a confirmation email that indicates the total number of courses and learning pathways you have submitted.
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Earn 1 point for each course completed
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Triple points for completing AI courses
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Earn 10 bonus points for completing an entire learning pathway
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Every AI or Cybersecurity pathway is another entry into the wildcard
Prizes:
Whoever has earned the most points in their category at the end of the month wins! Prize categories include:
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$1,000 – Team with the most total points
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$500 – Individual with the highest total points
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$500 – Wildcard drawing for anyone who completes an AI pathway
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$500 - Wildcard drawing for anyone who completes a Cybersecurity pathway
