Google Career Certificates: An affordable way to build your digital skills

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06 Sep 2020

Our tech driven era has necessitated digital skills, but upskilling in the area doesn’t have to come at an eye-watering price with Google Career Certificates. This collection of courses can help people learn job-ready skills to start or advance their career in high-demand fields.

This programme — developed entirely by Google — takes approximately six months to complete and no prior experience or degree is necessary. This makes it easier for anyone to pivot their career into high-growth job fields.

Their courses will be hosted on Coursera and cost a mere US$49 per month to access. The monthly fee provides learners access to resources that can assist with job search and interview preparation. It’s worth noting that the total cost of each course varies on how low it takes a learner to complete the course.

The course can be done online at one’s own pace. Grants and scholarships will be available to students.

An attractive option for upskilling

Some tasks will be automated in the future of work, necessitating digital skills. Source: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP

Among the other benefits of earning a Google Career Certificate, include the opportunity for candidates to connect with top national employers who are hiring for related roles. It can also help people qualify for jobs across fields with median average annual salaries of over US$50,000.

Learners can share their Google Career Certificate on their LinkedIn profile and on printed resumes, CVs and other documents to stand out to employers. In addition to this, learners will also have access to resources to facilitate their job search and interview preparation.

What courses are currently being offered by Google Career Certificates?

Learn anywhere at your own pace. Source: BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP

The following courses will be offered soon:

Data Analyst

“Data analysts make use of data to help inform important business decisions. They prepare, process, and analyse data for key insights, share their findings with stakeholders, and provide data-driven recommendations for effective action,” notes Google.

This certificate can help learners develop confidence in navigating the data lifecycle using tools and platforms to process, analyse, visualise and gain insights from data.

Project Manager

Project managers plan and oversee projects to ensure they are completed efficiently with maximum quality and with added value to the business. This course focuses on the foundations of traditional project management, while also offering insight into agile project management, notes Google.

UX Designer

“User experience (UX) designers make technology easier and more enjoyable to use. They create or refine products and interfaces to make them useful, usable, and accessible to users,” explained Google. This certificate teaches learners the foundations of UX design and research, building low-fidelity designs and wireframes, creating high-fidelity prototypes, and testing.

Making upskilling easy and convenient

As technology continues to develop and change the way we work, digital skills will continue to grow in importance. Google’s goal is to help learners develop skills and gain the experience required for entry-level jobs.

Kent Walker, SVP of Global Affairs, said in a statement that nearly two-thirds of all new jobs created since 2010 require either high-level or medium-level digital skills, thus presenting a challenge for many job seekers, as well as to America’s long-term economic security. “People need good jobs, and the broader economy needs their energy and skills to support our future growth,” he said.

While many higher education providers offer numerous courses for people to upskill in, Google’s certificate courses can be a good option for those who want a shorter and more affordable option to build their skillset in a new field. These courses may also set the foundations for further study at higher education institutions.