Austin Community College To Offer Google Apprenticeship

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Community College District, Google and Pathstream on Monday 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," Dr. Richard Rhodes, Austin Community College chancellor, said in a prepared statement. "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. 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."

Austin Community College will offer the Google IT Support Professional Certificate to an initial group of 50 students through its Continuing Education division. Nine of those 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.

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,” Eleanor Cooper, CEO of Pathstream, said in a prepared statement. “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,” Marcela Nouzovska, coordinator for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, said in a prepared statement. “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 twenty two apprentices nationally who were placed in Google offices across California, Texas and New York.

The program will begin Aug. 17, and conclude in 2021.

About Austin Community College

Austin Community College is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas. ACC is focused on student success and providing affordable, flexible pathways to help students reach their education goals, learn new job skills, or advance their career. The college currently enrolls more than 70,000 students annually.

About Pathstream

Pathstream partners with leading technology companies to build branded digital skills career programs delivered through college and university partnerships. Officials said their programs are for anyone who wants to learn the digital skills needed to succeed in the modern economy. For more information: https://www.pathstream.com.