Google has announced a new partnership with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to offer Google Career Certificates to thousands of Pennsylvanians. The goal of this partnership is to provide more direct industry-recognized training and credentials to students, giving them the skills they need to launch or advance their careers in in-demand fields such as Business Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, Project Management, and UX Design.

The Google Career Certificates are designed to be flexible and can be completed in three to six months, with no prior experience required. The program includes an employer consortium of more than 150 companies, including Pennsylvania-based companies like Bayer, SAP, Expedient, The Project Management Institute, and Google. These companies have committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for relevant job roles.

The partnership between Google and PASSHE aligns with the state’s efforts to provide access to affordable credentials and position state-owned universities as engines of economic development. Universities that are part of PASSHE, such as Millersville, Shippensburg, and Commonwealth University, will make the certificates available to undergraduates, giving them industry-relevant skills and an advantage in the job market.

PASSHE will also work with university workforce teams to extend certificates to learners who are interested in learning new skills, even if they are not enrolled students at participating universities.

The Google Career Certificate program has already seen success nationwide, with over 200,000 people graduating from the program in the U.S. Within six months of certificate completion, 75% of graduates report positive career outcomes.

This partnership is part of Google’s broader efforts to increase access to workforce training and close the skills gap. Google is working with educational institutions, workforce organizations, employers, state governments, and community organizations to provide people with the skills they need for a successful career.

Educational institutions and systems interested in bringing Google Career Certificates to their campus can find more information at grow.google/edu.

In summary, Google has partnered with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to offer Google Career Certificates to Pennsylvanians. These certificates provide industry-recognized training in high-demand fields and can be completed in a flexible timeframe. The partnership aims to provide students with important industry-relevant skills and expand access to affordable credentials. The program has a strong employer consortium, with over 150 companies committed to considering certificate graduates for relevant job roles. This partnership aligns with the state’s efforts to promote economic development and position state-owned universities as engines of growth. Google’s broader goal is to close the skills gap and provide individuals with the necessary skills for a successful career.