We launched Grow with Google with a mission to make sure the opportunities provided by technology are truly available to everyone. We knew that millions of people were being left behind because they didn't have a four-year college degree. In the United States, nearly 74% of job postings require a college degree, but less than 40% of people have one, leaving many good jobs out of reach for 70 million Americans. ¹ Employers were also struggling to find people with specific skills for some of their most urgent needs.

To help solve this problem and provide better access to high growth careers that pay well, we created the Google Career Certificates. Google Career Certificates are available online, taught by experts at Google, and give learners the skills and knowledge they need to enter in-demand fields like cybersecurity, data analytics and project management. The certificates program is available to everyone, regardless of their work experience or level of education.

Today, we’re proud to celebrate 1 million Google Career Certificate graduates globally. And we wanted to share a few of the stories of these graduates who have inspired us.

Ray Bryant, IT Support Certificate Grad

Ray Bryant left art school when his interests changed and he began to work in customer service. He dreamed of a career in tech but didn’t know where to start. Google's IT Support Certificate helped him land a role as a data center technician here at Google. Ray increased his annual salary by $20,000 and he says "I have more career opportunities and more time to spend with my family."

And it’s not just Google who hires graduates of the program. Over 150+ national employers including Deloitte, Verizon, Ford and Wells Fargo, have joined our Employer Consortium. These employers use the Google Career Certificates program to find candidates for their open jobs or to upskill their current employees.

James Bingham, Project Management Certificate Grad

James Bingham served for six years as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S Air Force. When he transitioned to civilian life he worked at a startup that installed maker spaces for educational organizations. While he was learning some project management skills on the job, he wanted to get more formal training. James completed the Google Project Management Certificate through Veterans Transition Support, an organization that assists veterans to successfully transition from military service to civilian life through job training, one-on-one job search mentoring, and other wrap-around services. We are especially proud that 1 out of 10 Google Career Certificate graduates in the US identify as a service member, military spouse or veteran. ² James says the certificate helped him get noticed by a recruiter and he landed a job as an IT Project Manager at Briggs and Stratton where he oversees a portfolio of over 100 IT projects. James says the Google Career Certificate helped him stand out and he is now making a six-figure salary.

Yesha Shah, UX Design Certificate Grad

Yesha Shah lives in India and previously worked as a financial advisor but felt unfulfilled in her role. She decided to explore her passions by starting several businesses. Despite her efforts, none of them succeeded. Feeling lost and searching for her purpose, she enrolled in the Google UX Design Certificate program. Just two months after earning the certificate, she landed a job as a product designer with an Australian company thanks to the portfolio she built through the program. She calls the program life-changing, enabling her to pivot to a job she now loves and to be part of a community of other inspirational UX designers.

Like Ray, James and Yesha, more than 70% of certificate graduates report a positive career outcome — like a new job, promotion or raise — within six months of completion. ² We’re grateful to the vast network of organizations — employers, nonprofits, workforce development boards, government and educational institutions — that offer the program and support learners in local communities across the world.

One million graduates is just the beginning. Together, we envision a future where everyone has the opportunity to learn the skills they need to thrive — whether they are just getting started in their career or making a career change, whether they have a high school diploma or an advanced degree. Join us as we continue to expand access to Google Career Certificates and build a future that works for everyone.

To learn more about the Google Career Certificates and enroll in one today or sign up as a partner, visit grow.google/certificates.