Google CEO Sundar Pichai: IT Support Training Program to Expand to 100 Community Colleges

This press release was originally distributed by Google.

DALLAS, TX — During an event at El Centro College, Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, announced that the Google IT Support Professional Certificate will be available to students in 100 community colleges by the end of next year through a $3.5 million grant from Google.org to JFF, an organization dedicated to promoting the economic advancement of all. Hosted on Coursera and developed by Google, the IT Support Professional Certificate helps people prepare for entry-level jobs in IT support in less than six months, with no experience or college degree necessary. The program is part of Grow with Google, the tech company’s initiative to create economic opportunities for all.

"At Google, our goal is to make sure that the opportunities created by technology are truly available to everyone,” said Google CEO Sundar Pichai. “Grow with Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate is one way we are equipping people with the digital skills for future careers. I’m proud that we’re expanding the program to more students in community colleges across the country."

Last year, Google.org supported JFF to bring the program to U.S. community colleges through a $2.3 million grant to integrate the certificate into community colleges in California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, and Wisconsin. With today’s announcement, the program will be available in Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Virginia.

"This initiative reflects JFF and Google’s belief in the transformative—and often untapped—potential of community colleges across the nation,” said Maria Flynn, President and CEO, JFF. “It’s about building powerful connections between educators and employers—and leveraging technology in targeted ways—to build a stronger workforce."

The schools have either incorporated the program's lessons into their existing curriculum or offered it as a standalone program, and many provide college credits to students who’ve earned the certificate. Program completers are putting their new skills to work: They’re finding new jobs and internships, advancing their current careers or bolstering their resumes as they plan their next moves. 84% of certificate holders report a positive job outcome (i.e. finding a new job or getting a raise and more) within 6 months of program completion.

Over 85,000 learners have participated in the program, many with the help of their local community colleges. With more than 5.7 million students enrolled in U.S. community colleges, these schools play a vital role in creating economic opportunity for the people they serve. Moreover, IT support is one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S. with an estimated 215,000 open positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is projected to grow 10 percent between 2018 and 2028—faster than the average of all other occupations. The median salary for an IT support specialist is $53,470.

"The Google IT Support Professional Certificate has created hope and opportunities for thousands of learners by providing them with the skills needed to participate in the tech economy," said Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera. "We are really excited to work with Google to further expand the reach of this program among community colleges, where the majority of Americans come to learn and grow.

Additionally, the certificate recently secured a recommendation of 12 academic credits, the equivalent of four full courses, for associate degree-level learning from the American Council on Education’s (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT®). ACE CREDIT helps adults validate the learning for their courses completed outside a traditional degree program. These academic recommendations are integral to colleges and universities across the country as they implement policies and strategies to support adults in achieving their academic goals.

“A competitive workforce and an innovative economy need both formal postsecondary education and ‘learning by doing’ in the workplace,” said Louis Soares, ACE's Chief Learning and Innovation Officer. “ACE is thrilled to support Google in their talent development strategies by evaluating formal certificates and training.”

Google and Coursera also released the first Google IT Support Professional Certificate Impact Report detailing how the certificate:

• Makes a noticeable impact on careers: Most learners–84 percent–report a positive career impact within six months, like getting a raise, finding a new job or starting a new business. This also includes enhancing their skills for a current role or improving their ability to get a new job.
• Reaches mostly non-traditional learners: 60 percent of people enrolled identify as Black, Latino, female, and/or veteran who are using the program to prepare for entry-level roles.
• Engages learners: On average, learners earn their certificates in under six months. That breaks down to about five hours of coursework per week.

Representatives from community colleges that are interested in the IT Support Professional Certificate program can learn more here.