Dive Brief:
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Ivanka Trump announced plans for the "Pledge to America's Workers" initiative — dedicated to educating U.S. workers — in Dallas Thursday, reports CNBC. Trump is a co-chair of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, which "brings together members from diverse backgrounds including the private sector, educational institutions, and State and local governments."
- Google committed to 250,000 training opportunities in the technology field for a five year period. The training will aid those entering the workforce for the first time and those seeking reskilling, according to Trump.
- The White House announcement coincides with Google's expansion of its community college program, pledging to add another 100 U.S. schools by the end of 2020. The program is accessible in 30 schools now, but 84% of attendees reported positive impact, including pay raises, finding a new job or starting a business.
Dive Insight:
Big tech is offering training programs either online or through colleges to shape the future of tech talent.
Though the skills gap was potentially self-inflicted, big tech is working to remedy the stress of finding the right talent. Google is among other tech companies — Apple, Amazon, Facebook — that have partnered with two-year colleges.
Colleges leaning on big tech to essentially co-create curriculum isn't much of a concern when workforce development is the primary goal. Four-year colleges are more likely to cause controversy because the influence on curriculum, some say, could put academic liberties at risk.
College degrees, whether obtained in two years or four, aren't much of a resume requirement in the tech industry, so big tech adapted.
"Grow with Google," Google's online resources for developing online skills, has certificates available to users who complete the courses.
The courses prepare students for entry-level IT positions, including automation, security, system administration and other technology fundamentals. The online courses include hands-on labs, quizzes, soft skills training and widgets, designed by Googlers.
Certificates have proven crucial to an industry known for shunning four-year-degree-itis. The economics of today's tech industry are favorable for recent graduates and older professionals looking for a career shift.
Entry level data scientists can make more than $113,000 annually, developers earn more than $100,000 and QA analysts can earn at least $70,000.
