CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Stacey was balancing multiple jobs and looking for a career shift better suited for her life when she was inspired to delve back into her interest in technology. That’s when she discovered a specialized learning program offering the Google Career Certificates through Chattanooga State Community College where she took the Google IT Support Certificate. After completing the Google Career Certificate, Stacey is now the IT manager for the City of Red Bank. As Stacey shares, “Getting my IT Certificate was the best decision I could have made.”

Expanding Opportunities Across Tennessee

To help more students like Stacey, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), which governs the state's 37 public community and technical colleges, is expanding access to Google Career Certificates and Google AI Essentials across all of its participating institutions. Google Career Certificates are online, self-paced training in fields like cybersecurity, data analytics and IT support to help provide students with the skills they need to succeed in today's job market and fill in-demand jobs. TBR students will also have access to Google AI Essentials — an online course that teaches foundational AI skills, best practices and how to use AI responsibly, with no previous experience required.

This partnership builds on the already successful programs at Chattanooga State Community College and Motlow State Community College. Chattanooga State makes skill development accessible through various partnerships that provide stipends and child care while offering Google Career Certificates. Motlow State allows students to earn credit for prior learning for aligned degree programs or as elective credit.

Students who participate in the Google Career Certificate program have access to the Google Employer Consortium of more than 150 companies — including Ford, Verizon and Google — that commit to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for relevant roles. More than 250,000 people have graduated from the Google Career Certificate program in the U.S. and 75% of graduates report positive career outcomes (new job, promotion, or raise) within six months of certificate completion. We are excited to collaborate with TBR in scaling this impactful program, empowering even more individuals across the Volunteer State to achieve their career goals.

Visit ChattState's website to learn more about Google Career Certificate offerings. Click here to learn more about bringing Google Career Certificates to your educational institution or system. 

Lead image: Rob Magliaro, Workforce Partnerships Lead of Grow with Google, and Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Flora Tidings celebrate a partnership to bring Google Career Certificates to Tennessee community colleges. Image courtesy of Google.

Author: Amanda Brophy, Director, Grow with Google