Alphabet’s Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat announced an expansion of the Google Career Certificates program, including added partnerships with community colleges, translating Google Career Certificates into college credit and partnering with four-year universities to prepare students for in-demand jobs.
1. Providing community colleges with free access to Google Career Certificates
Community colleges are critical to workforce development and economic mobility, providing accessible education options for millions of Americans and opening doors to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. With 44% of American undergraduates attending community colleges, and as the primary institutions serving students from underrepresented groups, there is no doubt they play an invaluable role across the U.S.
The Google Career Certificate program is now free for all community colleges and career and technical education (CTE) high schools to add to their curriculum. The company will also be partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges, the primary advocacy group for U.S. community colleges and their 12 million students. All of these schools will now be able to onboard this curriculum for free.
2. Translating Google Career Certificates into college credit
All Google Career Certificates are now recommended by the American Council on Education for up to 12 college credits (the equivalent to four college courses). For the more than 36 million Americans who have some post-secondary education but no college degree, Google Career Certificates can help provide an affordable on-ramp back to earning their diploma.
3. Partnering with four-year universities to prepare students for in-demand jobs
Google is also partnering with four-year universities that are accepting credit for the Google Career Certificates, including Northeastern, Purdue Global, Arizona State University and SUNY, to help increase earning potential and provide students with direct pathways to jobs. For example, a psychology major who acquires data analysis skills can unlock more than 100,000 additional entry-level jobs paying on average $60,000, versus $39,000 for psychology majors overall.
