Google Is Sharing $100K Worth Of Courses In Design, Tech With All US Businesses
By Mikelle Leow, 03 May 2022
Photo 158861679 © Palinchak | Dreamstime.com
One complaint that lingered during the pandemic was about how employees felt stagnant at their jobs—so, as a solution, they sought growth elsewhere. Looking back, it makes sense for companies to support workers who wish to up-skill.
Google has its own self-paced online courses that anyone around the world can enroll in through the Coursera platform. The tech giant is now making up to US$100,000 worth of those resources to any US business for free, with a cap of 500 employees per company.
The courses—designed by Google itself—cover user experience (UX) design, digital marketing, data analytics, IT support, and project management; and educates participants on how to use industry-popular software. They’re so extensive that the company says job-seekers would be able to find a role in relevant fields at the end of the program.
No experience is required to enroll in the curriculums, and students who complete the programs will be awarded industry-recognized credentials.
Coinciding with this announcement, Google has introduced a new Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, which teaches users everything from setting up an online store to boosting customer loyalty and analyzing interest. They’ll also “get hands-on experience with popular digital marketing and e-commerce tools and platforms such as Canva, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, HubSpot, MailChimp, Shopify and Twitter, as well as Google Ads and Google Analytics,” says Google.
Google arrived at the US$100,000 amount for scholarships since a course would set students back about US$39 per month, and it is supporting up to 500 workers from any US business. Plus, it would take up to six months of part-time study to complete a program.
Why upskill?
It may seem counterintuitive, but employees value working at places that offer opportunities for growth.
Google says employers who recognize and support workers’ aspirations for expansion are much more likely to retain them.
Backing employees’ education will also benefit your recruitment strategy since job-seekers often indicate an “opportunity to learn” as one of the things they’re looking for in their next role.
Finally, having an overall wider skillset insures companies against growing competition. “Building these capabilities from within allows businesses to gain these skills and grow existing talent,” describes Google.
Lisa Gevelber, founder of the dedicated Grow with Google career education division, acknowledges that while students are more likely to finish courses they have personally paid for, the potential reach of the US$100,000 sponsorships and their ability to affect the American workforce outweigh that risk.
Businesses can apply for the program here.
[via Reuters and Google, cover photo 158861679 © Palinchak | Dreamstime.com]