Google has announced the Google Career Certificates are available to students across The University of Texas and Texas State University systems, bringing with them the potential to reach tens of thousands of students across the state.
The tech giant said that Google Career Certificates equip individuals with job-ready skills in the fields of data analytics, e-commerce and digital marketing, IT Support, automation in python, project management, and user experience (UX) design.
This is Google’s largest statewide university partnership to date, and the university systems will embed the certificates into undergraduate degree programs and co-curricular experiences with options to receive university credit.
Texas 2036 also will list the Google Career Certificates in a national registry as part of its work to grow the state’s database on postsecondary credentials.
Texas 2036 is a public policy think tank founded by Dallas attorney Tom Luce.
“Texas is known for being a leader in the global economy thanks to our diverse and competitive workforce. Today’s announcement will bolster more dynamic partnerships between industry, academia, and employers, ensuring Texans are equipped for the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future,” U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a statement as part of the announcement. “I’m proud of the innovation happening here in the Lone Star State, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have for years to come.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott likewise touted the positive effect the program can have.
“Texas is the innovation capital of the United States and a global tech industry leader, and we are committed to ensuring our students are equipped with the job-ready skills to be competitive in this field,” Abbott said in a statement. “Through the Google Career Certificates program, Texas will continue developing its tech industry talent pool into a highly skilled workforce that is ready to grow and thrive in our booming economy. I thank Google and our Texas universities for working together to help thousands of Texas students prepare for good-paying jobs and the opportunity to succeed.”
By 2030, the UT System said that more than 60% of jobs in Texas will require a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or certificate, but that more than half of Texans lack the training for these jobs.
The Texas Higher Education Board wants to close that gap, with the goal of ensuring 60% of working-age Texans receive a degree, certificate, or postsecondary credential by 2030. One way The University of Texas and Texas State University systems will contribute to this effort is by offering the Google Career Certificates program, the systems said.
“Pairing a bachelor’s degree with a Google certificate leads to graduates who are both broadly educated and specifically skilled—a winning combination for students and employers,” UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said in a statement. “With the Texas population expected to double by 2050 and Texas projected to have the highest net job growth of any state by 2030, UT institutions are proud to be leading efforts to meet our state’s workforce and industry demands while positioning our graduates for success and professional growth in the modern job market.”
Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall said that graduates must be marketable to find the best jobs.
“Texas employers tell us they need graduates with marketable skills who can hit the ground running when they leave college,” McCall said in a statement. “Our seven-member institutions do a great job of developing these skills as part of their current degree programs, and we are proud to partner with Google to offer Career Certificates that evidence the skills and talents that our students develop throughout their college careers.”
Google said its employees developed the Google Career Certificates to support improving the number of those skilled in in-demand fields.
Available on Coursera, the certificates can be completed within three to six months of part-time study, with no degree or experience required, Google said. The program includes an employer consortium of over 150 companies, including Texas-based companies such as AT&T, Dell, and Google, that are committed to considering graduates for relevant entry-level roles.
More than 100,000 people have graduated from the program in the United States, and 75% of them report a positive career impact, such as a new job, higher pay, or a promotion, within six months of completion.
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