USO and Google.org to provide Training and Career Guidance for IT Professional Support Certificate in Illinois
Google.org is giving a $2.5 million grant to the USO to provide training and career guidance for transitioning military personnel, military spouses, and veterans. USO will incorporate the Google IT Support Professional Certificate into their programming. On October 1st, the program will be available online with career guidance from Pathfinder Transition offices at Naval Station Great Lakes, Rock Island Arsenal, O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.
The IT Support Professional Certificate is a first-of-its kind program with highly interactive content, developed by Google, which provides a direct route for those who successfully complete the program to get their information into the hands of employers. As the majority of IT support positions do not require a college degree but do require prior experience, this certificate is designed to give learners the training and experience they need to get a job in this growing field. With 150,000 specific-IT job openings available across the United States, this program will provide an almost immediate benefit for companies seeking to fill these positions,
Learners who complete the certificate program will have the opportunity to share their information directly with more than 20 top employers who are looking to hire IT Support talent. The group of employers includes Cognizant, Bank of America, GE Digital, Hulu, Infosys, Intel, Kforce, MCPc, PNC Bank, RICOH USA, Sprint, TEKSystems, UPMC, Veterans United Home Loans, ten members of the Walmart family: Sam's Club, Shoes.com, Jet, Allswell, Bonobos, Hayneedle, Modcloth, Moosejaw, Store No 8, Vudu and of course, Google.
"There is an opportunity to re-equip service members with IT skills as they move onto their next chapter after military service and to help address the spouse unemployment/underemployment problem with highly portable careers in the IT industry," said Alan Reyes, USO Senior Vice President of Operations, Programs and Transition. "Through innovative partnerships like this, USO and Google will be able to provide the resources and programs that support the needs of transitioning service members and their families as well as help to minimize the workforce gap in the IT industry."
"The transition process is complex, and we hope Grow with Google's new tools and resources can play a part in making that easier," said Lisa Gevelber, Google's Vice President of Grow with Google. "At Google, we believe technology has the power to improve lives. With today's announcement, we look forward to working with America's transitioning service members to help them succeed in civilian life."
This announcement is part of a series of new tools and resources Google introduced to help create economic opportunity for transitioning service members and military spouses. Beginning today, service members can now search ["jobs for veterans"] on Google and then enter their military occupational specialty code (MOS, AFSC, NEC) to see relevant civilian jobs that require similar skills to those used in their military roles. Additionally, employers can implement this feature on their own career sites using Google Cloud's Talent Solution API. Fedex, Pepsi and GettingHired have already implemented the API on their job boards.
To help veteran-owned or led businesses identify themselves to potential customers, Google Maps and Search will offer a new attribute. The "Veteran-Led" designation will appear when searching for a place on Android or iOS mobile device or in Google Maps when they open a business listing and tap the two-line description of the business to see the attributes associated with that business.
The IT Support Professional Certificate is a key program in Grow with Google, the tech company's initiative to create more economic opportunities for Americans. Like other Grow with Google programs, such as Get Your Business Online and Applied Digital Skills, the certificate is intended to give more Americans access to digital skills and to find success in today's digital economy.
Already, Google has given 10,000 learners free access to the program through financial aid and Google.org scholarships to nonprofits focusing on low income learners through Year Up, Per Scholas, and Goodwill®; veterans through Student Veterans of America; and refugees through Upwardly Global.
About USO
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
About 'Grow with Google'
Grow with Google is a new initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans. The program draws on Google's 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, we aim to help everyone across America - those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow - access the best of Google's training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. For more information, please visit Google.com/Grow.