Austin Community College issued the following announcement.
Austin Community College District (ACC) Google, and Pathstream announce a new partnership to launch Google’s first Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program. The program offers apprentices a unique opportunity to receive training and employment from one of the world’s leading tech companies. ACC is the only college in Texas selected to serve in the program’s inaugural training.
“What we do as a college to connect our students with real-world experience while they’re learning is evolving. This program offers our students an incredible opportunity to learn, work, and have a direct pathway to a high-demand career. ACC is honored to be selected by Google for this innovative partnership,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC chancellor. “This collaboration is a win for our region. Google is changing the game for IT, and our students get a front-row seat with hands-on training at one of the biggest companies in the world”
ACC will offer the Google IT Support Professional Certificate to an initial group of 50 students through its Continuing Education division. Nine of those ACC students will train with Google as apprentices. The nine students will complete two months of online coursework through ACC to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. They will then work for one year assisting Google’s Austin office, serving as IT Support Specialists.
Google’s IT apprenticeship program is part of a larger digital jobs program the company recently announced to catalyze economic recovery in the United States. The launch and implementation of the apprenticeship at ACC is supported by Pathstream, a provider of digital skills training.
“Austin Community College brings years of experience training students to meet the demands of the changing workforce,” says Eleanor Cooper, CEO of Pathstream. “Pathstream is excited to partner with the college to bring this digital skills training program to Austin and provide employment opportunities at a time when so many people need them.”
Nationally, Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship programs offer important pathways to high-quality jobs. Apprenticeships connect students with paid work experience while they’re in school. The blend of classroom instruction and on-the-job training gives students an edge in the job market. Employers have hired over 780,000 apprentices since 2017, but apprenticeship opportunities in emerging tech fields are still rare.
“ACC is honored to participate in Google’s apprenticeship program. This program will provide a pathway to high-quality IT jobs in Google’s offices during this tough economic time,” said Marcela Nouzovska, Coordinator for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. “Student success is always the first thing on our mind and we always welcome opportunities that can prepare students for a competitive workplace as fast as possible.”
The nine ACC students selected support Google’s Austin office went through a rigorous Google hiring process. They join a cohort of 22 apprentices nationally who were placed in Google offices across California, Texas, and New York.
The program will begin August 17, 2020, and conclude in 2021.
Original source can be found here.
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