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Authored by Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
In 2018, Google collaborated with Coursera to redesign vocational training and establish an affordable, online curriculum that equipped anyone — regardless of their background or prior experience — for a basic, sought-after job.
What initiated with a solitary IT certification has broadened to nine distinct programs that have altered the trajectories and professions of more than 1 million graduates. In the United States alone, over 350,000 individuals have acquired a certificate, with upwards of 70% indicating a favorable career advancement, such as a promotion, new employment, or salary increase.
Today, Google unveiled the Google Career Certificates Impact Report that honors the breadth, narratives, and significance on learners worldwide.
“Google has always been devoted to making the opportunities technology creates accessible to everyone,” stated Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. “We are thrilled that the Google Career Certificates program has enabled over one million individuals to acquire in-demand skills to advance their careers and employment prospects. We eagerly anticipate continuing our collaboration with partners to assist even more people in achieving their full economic potential.”
Broadening access and prospects for everyone
The most recent statistics from Google’s Impact Report* illustrate how these programs are creating opportunities for learners from diverse backgrounds:
- 1 in 4 are primary caregivers.
- 1 in 10 identifies as service members, military spouses, or veterans.
- 40% of program alumni report being unemployed or underemployed at the start of the certification program.
- 55% were employed full-time while completing the certificate.
*Based on a survey of U.S. program graduates, 2024
Popular Google Career Certificates on Coursera
With AI, big data, cybersecurity, and technological literacy being among the rapidly expanding skills, learners on Coursera are equipping themselves with these sought-after Google programs**:
**Based on global enrollment statistics from 2024
Speeding up AI learning
The U.S. employment market is swiftly evolving, propelled by the growing significance of AI. To adapt to changing workplace requirements, all Google Career Certificates incorporate field-specific AI competencies alongside a new collection of dedicated AI courses. Google AI Essentials emerged as the most sought-after course on Coursera in 2024, with 91% of global graduates expressing increased confidence in leveraging the AI skills taught in the course for workplace tasks, and 86% of global graduates affirming that the AI skills acquired will enhance their job performance.†
†Refers to global graduates and AI skills imparted in the course
To support learners in applying these skills as they navigate their next career step, all Google Career Certificates now include a new, optional course, Accelerate Your Job Search with AI.
Closing the skills gap necessitates more than exceptional content. It demands unprecedented collaboration. Google Career Certificates are utilized by over 800 U.S. colleges and 2,000 businesses — with more than 150 employers actively committed to considering the hiring of program graduates.
This achievement has ignited a movement. Currently, 25 employers offer over 90 Entry-Level Professional Certificates modeled after these programs. Collectively, we are forging a more inclusive future of work — one learner at a time.
Join the 1 million graduates acquiring career-ready skills with Google Career Certificates.
The post 1 million graduates: The real-world impact of Google Career Certificates appeared first on Coursera Blog.
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