A strong economy is dependent on a skilled workforce. Texas has one of the fastest growing economies in America and the ninth-largest economy in the world. With 1 million current job openings, Texas is uniquely positioned to develop workforce solutions that meet the needs of employers and job seekers of all backgrounds.
By 2030, more than 60% of jobs in Texas will require a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or certificate, but over half of Texans lack the skills needed to do them. This skills gap is prevalent far beyond the Lone Star state. Globally, 75% of employers report talent shortages and difficulty hiring — mainly due to skills gaps — representing a 16-year high.
Texas is taking this challenge head on. Building a Talent Strong Texas, the state’s strategic plan for higher education, focuses on boosting credential attainment and upskilling and reskilling Texas workers to meet the state’s workforce needs. The plan sets a goal to help 60% of Texans ages 25-64 earn a degree, certificate or other postsecondary credential of value by 2030.
To help meet this ambitious goal, Google is partnering with two of Texas’ largest higher education systems — the University of Texas and Texas State University Systems — to offer the Google Career Certificates with the potential to reach tens of thousands of students across the state. The certificates will be embedded into the schools’ undergraduate degree programs and academic offerings that complement existing courses, with options to receive university credit.
Google employees used their expertise to develop the Google Career Certificates to support skilling in the high-demand fields of Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, IT Automation with Python, Project Management, and UX Design. The certificates can be completed within three to six months of part-time study, with no degree or experience required. The program includes an employer consortium of more than 150 companies — including Texas-based companies such as AT&T, Dell, and of course, Google — that are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for relevant entry-level roles. More than 100,000 people have graduated from the program in the U.S and 75% of graduates report an improvement in their career within six months of certificate completion.
The Google Career Certificates will also be listed in Texas2036’s newly launched credential registry, a database for post-secondary credentials that will help Texans find and access education and workforce training programs. Anyone in Texas can search this database for post-secondary credentials — from certificates to bachelor’s degrees — to help them gain the knowledge they need for in-demand jobs.
As part of our Google Career Certificate program, we’re working with leaders across educational institutions, workforce organizations and employers, plus state and national leaders and community organizations to increase access to workforce training that can unlock economic opportunity. These partnerships will help close the skills gap and serve as a model globally for providing people the skills they need for a successful career.
To learn more about bringing Google Career Certificates to your educational institution visit grow.google/edu.
