MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Connecticut officials promoted workforce development for incoming college students as Google announced a partnership that would make Connecticut the first state to offer its suite of digital skills training.
Google declared Connecticut as the first state to offer its suite of certificates in digital skills training at the state's technical high schools and community colleges.
Appearing at Middlesex Community College, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, joined by Governor Ned Lamont and others, advocated workforce development for high school students transitioning into Connecticut's Community Colleges.
"This is about meaningful employment, about Connecticut residents being educated, providing for their families, buying a home and chasing the American Dream," Cardona declared.
The Google certificates can be earned within three to six months.
“This is exactly what workforce development is all about,” Lamont said. “We have employers that are looking to hire individuals with these digital skills, and our community college system responded quickly by entering into a partnership with Google to ensure our colleges are ready to start equipping students with these skills so they can enter these in-demand careers that pay over $60,000.”
The Build Back Better Act, currently awaiting action in Washington, allocates $20 Billion for workforce development.
“We are excited about this expansion of our Grow with Google Certificates program and the opportunity to partner with academic institutions across the U.S., including community colleges, which are critical to workforce development and economic mobility,” Google executive Ruth Porat said. “We believe that to have sustainable economic growth, we must have inclusive growth and we are committed to continuing to help people develop the digital skills they need to participate in this economy.”
According to Porat, one in three small businesses said they would have failed during the pandemic if they lacked digital skills.
“Starting in early 2022, community colleges in all corners of Connecticut will offer Google’s IT Support Certificate, with other certificates rolling out throughout the spring and summer,” CSCU President Terrence Cheng said. “Our public colleges and universities offer the highest quality education and cutting-edge training opportunities. We are thrilled to be the first in the nation to offer all Google Career Certificates on a statewide basis – it is a testament to Governor Lamont’s laser focus on workforce development.”