Build_it vs Skill.re

Build_it runs structured cohort programmes that take learners through practical skills training toward a portfolio project. Its programmes cover career skills, AI, engineering, business, data, personal branding, and freelancing, with a stated focus on African learners. Lessons unlock at 7 AM local time each day, and learners cannot self-pace or skip ahead. Live cohorts, streak tracking, milestones, and alumni groups structure the experience. A peer activity feed, absence detection, learner nudges, and an at-risk facilitator dashboard support participation; working professionals review submissions and provide feedback. Programmes are designed to finish with a portfolio deliverable. Eligible graduates can receive a publicly verifiable certificate after completing lessons and receiving approval for final work. Build_it supports Android and web, with offline lesson caching and PWA installation for phone use on patchy 4G. The Do More With AI programme is free, lasts three weeks, and includes 48 lessons across 12 modules. Paid programme purchases are described as one-time payments by card or Mobile Money, with a 48-hour refund window.

Skill.re offers work-focused courses through live cohorts, where learners join squads to encourage one another and complete courses together. Its catalog lists 246 course levels and 4,961 lessons across programs grouped by job sector. Squad members can see cohort activity, cheer others, share lessons, and maintain streaks. The free plan includes all courses and levels, live cohorts and squads, and certificates where offered, without usage limits or credits. Certificates carry a serial and public verification page; for certificates at level L3 and above, a person reviews submitted work before issuance. Individuals sign in through a verified email link, while organizations can use single sign-on, which Skill.re says is free and arranged by contacting the company. Organization accounts add private cohorts, reporting, CSV export, verified learning hours, and an audit log. Organizations can also embed the catalog on their sites. Skill.re says traffic uses HTTPS with TLS 1.2 or 1.3 and enforced HTTP Strict Transport Security. It does not have SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification, a completed third-party penetration test, or a contractual uptime SLA. Self-service data export and deletion are not yet available.