UT System and Google announce Google Career Certificates for up to 10,000 Texas university students

AUSTIN, TEXAS –The University of Texas System and Google today hosted U.S. Senator John Cornyn and several leaders in Texas higher education and workforce development to announce the availability of Google Career Certificates to thousands of students across eight University of Texas academic institutions. The certificates equip people with job-ready skills in the fields of data analytics, e-commerce and digital marketing, IT Support, automation in python, project management and user experience (UX) design.

“Pairing a bachelor’s degree with a Google certificate leads to graduates who are both broadly educated and specifically skilled—a winning combination for students and employers,” said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. “With the Texas population expected to double by 2050 and Texas projected to have the highest net job growth of any state by 2030, UT institutions are proud to be leading efforts to meet our state’s workforce and industry demands while positioning our graduates for success and professional growth in the modern job market.”

Through Google’s largest university partnership to date and with the support of Coursera, UT institutions will embed the certificates into undergraduate degree programs and co-curricular experiences with options to receive university credit at no additional cost to students. These career certificates will serve as an important tool in retaining Texas jobs for Texas workers, so that local supply can keep up with demand, removing the incentive for industries to recruit workers from out of state. For more information on The UT System’s partnership with Google, please click here.

“Texas is known for being a leader in the global economy thanks to our diverse and competitive workforce. Today’s announcement will bolster more dynamic partnerships between industry, academia, and employers, ensuring Texans are equipped for the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future,” said U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). “I’m proud of the innovation happening here in the Lone Star State, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have for years to come.”

“Texas is the innovation capital of the United States and a global tech industry leader, and we are committed to ensuring our students are equipped with the job-ready skills to be competitive in this field,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Through the Google Career Certificates program, Texas will continue developing its tech industry talent pool into a highly-skilled workforce that is ready to grow and thrive in our booming economy. I thank Google and our Texas universities for working together to help thousands of Texas students prepare for good-paying jobs and the opportunity to succeed.”

By 2030, over 60% of jobs in Texas will require a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or certificate. Today, more than half of Texans lack the training for these jobs. The Texas Higher Education Board’s aims to close this gap, with the goal of ensuring 60% of working-age Texans receive a degree, certificate, or postsecondary credential by 2030.

“Google is proud to work with Texas universities and workforce development organizations to help more students and workers take advantage of the incredible job opportunities created by the state’s growing economy,” said Grow with Google Founder Lisa Gevelber. “Grow with Google’s mission is to expand opportunities for all, and we’re thrilled to further that effort by widening access to tech workforce training through the Google Career Certificates program.” These opportunities will help close the skills gap for thousands of Texans, better enabling them to gain access to high-growth, high-demand jobs throughout the state.

Available on Coursera, Google Career Certificates can be completed within three to six months of part-time study, with no degree or experience required. To connect people to jobs, the program includes an employer consortium of over 150 companies—including AT&T, Dell, and Google —that are committed to considering graduates for relevant entry-level roles. Over 100,000 people have graduated from the program in the U.S., and 75% of them report a positive career impact, such as a new job, higher pay, or a promotion, within six months of completion.

"Technology is creating new opportunities in the workforce, but students and workers need access to flexible, affordable, and fast-tracked career pathways to unlock their full potential in the digital economy," Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda said. "We're honored to partner with the University of Texas System and Grow with Google to launch a statewide initiative that will help thousands of students gain the skills and credentials they need to enter well-paying careers and contribute to a competitive and resilient local workforce that will help accelerate the state economy."