If you’re studying or job-hunting in Ontario, a weekend is enough time to quietly level up a few digital skills—without spending a dollar.
This guide focuses on short, government-backed options: library-powered LinkedIn Learning playlists, Canada Learning Code workshops, a new Skills for Success resource from Renison (University of Waterloo), free modules from Pinnguaq, and Digital Main Street courses that were built for small businesses.
All of them are publicly funded or library-accessed, so if you qualify, your cost is $0.
What “government-backed” means in this guide
For this list, “government-backed” means at least one of:
- Publicly funded platforms – run or funded by Ontario or Canada (for example, provincial skills initiatives or university-led projects supported by government).
- Free access through public libraries – many Ontario public libraries give cardholders free logins for platforms like LinkedIn Learning.
- Programs subsidised by provincial/federal partners – such as Digital Main Street training for small businesses and youth-focused digital skills programs.
Most Ontario colleges also now offer “micro-credentials,” some of which are OSAP-eligible. Those are useful, but they’re often not free and usually take longer than a weekend, so they’re outside the scope here.
Five free options that fit into a weekend
1) LinkedIn Learning via your Ontario public library
Good for: fast resume boosts, software and creative tools
Typical time: 2–6 hours per course
Many Ontario public libraries give members full access to LinkedIn Learning at no cost. Once you have a card, you can sign in from home with your card number and PIN and watch thousands of courses on:
- Excel and Google Sheets
- Python basics
- Canva, Figma, and other design tools
- Project management, writing, interview prep, and more
A simple weekend playlist:
- Saturday: one 2–3 hour “essentials” course (e.g., Excel or Canva)
- Sunday: a shorter 1–2 hour course plus a small project (like a one-page resume redesign or a simple dashboard)
Most courses come with a certificate of completion you can download and add to your LinkedIn profile.
How to access
- Get or renew a local library card (student ID + proof of address usually works).
- Find “LinkedIn Learning” in the “Digital Library / Online Learning” section of your library’s site.
- Log in with your card number and PIN, create a profile, and start learning.
) Canada Learning Code workshops
Good for: live coding/design tasters with support
Typical time: 3–6 hours in one sitting
Canada Learning Code runs beginner-friendly workshops on topics like:
- Intro to HTML & CSS
- Intro to Python
- Canva for design
- WordPress and website basics.
Workshops are usually:
- Free or subsidised, especially for priority groups
- Offered online and in-person
- Designed to be finished in one block (often 3–6 hours), which makes them perfect for a Saturday.
You register for a specific date/time on their events page and join live with instructors and mentors.
3) Renison (University of Waterloo) — Skills for Success modules
Good for: workplace + digital + language skills together
Typical time: 1–3 hours per module
Renison University College at the University of Waterloo offers Skills for Success: Building Transferable Skills for the Workplace, a free, online, self-guided resource. It includes four asynchronous modules that blend:
- Essential workplace skills (communication, problem solving)
- Digital literacy
- English language support, especially for newcomers
You can do one module in an afternoon or spread them over a weekend. It’s especially helpful if:
- You’re new to Canada and want Canadian workplace examples
- You’re re-entering work after a break and want a gentle restart.
4) Pinnguaq Learning — free digital basics and creative tools
Good for: true beginners, digital safety, creative tech
Typical time: 30–90 minutes per module
Pinnguaq, an Ontario-based non-profit, creates free learning resources on:
- Computer basics and digital citizenship
- Online safety and privacy
- Creative digital tools and STEAM projects.
Many Ontario libraries link directly to Pinnguaq Learning and highlight “100+ free modules” you can work through at your own pace.
A realistic weekend:
- Saturday: 2–3 short modules on device basics + online safety
- Sunday: a creative module (e.g., simple digital art or intro to social media concepts)
5) Digital Main Street courses
Good for: side-hustles, small businesses, student clubs
Typical time: 1–3 hours per course
Digital Main Street was created by the City of Toronto and TABIA and is now supported by the Governments of Ontario and Canada and partners like Google and Shopify.
They offer free:
- Self-paced online courses on digital transformation, e-commerce, social media, SEO, and online stores.
- Webinars led by their Digital Service Squads across Ontario.
Ideal if you:
- Run a campus club store or fundraiser
- Help with a family business
- Want to show employers you understand digital marketing basics.
Weekend study examples (pick one and tweak)
These are sample plans. You don’t have to follow them perfectly; they’re just starting points.
Plan A – Office & data basics (6–8 hours)
- Saturday morning: LinkedIn Learning – Excel or Google Sheets essentials (2–3h)
- Saturday afternoon: LinkedIn Learning – data visualisation or dashboards (2h)
- Sunday: Build a one-page “skills project” (budget, simple report, or dashboard) and export it as a PDF for your portfolio (2–3h).
Plan B – Web & design starter (6–7 hours)
- Saturday: Canada Learning Code – Intro to HTML & CSS or a similar beginner workshop (3–6h)
- Sunday: LinkedIn Learning – quick Canva or Figma starter course (1–2h), then design a simple one-page personal site mockup.
Plan C – Career-ready soft + digital (5–6 hours)
- Saturday: Renison Skills for Success modules on workplace skills and digital literacy (2–3h)
- Sunday: Pinnguaq modules on online safety + digital communication (2–3h).
Quick decision helper: which one should you start with?
Ask yourself one question:
“What do I want to be able to show on my resume or to an employer next week?”
- “I need something concrete on my LinkedIn or resume.”
→ Start with LinkedIn Learning (certificates) or a Canada Learning Code workshop and list the course names. - “I’m new to Canada or returning to work.”
→ Try Skills for Success (Renison); it’s built specifically around workplace and language skills for newcomers. - “I help run a small shop or side-business.”
→ Go to Digital Main Street for e-commerce, social media, and “get your business online” courses. - “I’m honestly a beginner with computers.”
→ Start with Pinnguaq modules on basics and safety, then move to LinkedIn Learning once you’re comfortable.
You can mix and match; the main goal is to finish something small but real in a weekend, not to design a perfect plan you never start.
