Austin Community College District, Google, and Pathstream announced this week a new partnership to launch Google’s first Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program. The program offers apprentices an opportunity to receive training and employment from one of the world’s major 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 learn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. They will then work for one year assisting Google’s Austin office, serving as IT Support Specialists.
“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.”
The program officially launched on August 17, 2020 and will conclude in 2021.
