1 million graduates: The real impact of Google’s career certificate

Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera

In 2018, Google partnered with Coursera to reimagine work training and create an affordable online program to prepare entry-level, demanding work for anyone (regardless of background or experience).

The purpose of starting with a single IT certificate has expanded to nine programs that have changed the lives and careers of one million graduates. In the United States alone, more than 350,000 people have obtained certificates and more than 70% have reported positive career outcomes such as promotions, new jobs or pay raises.

Today, Google released the Google Certificate Impact Report, a report that celebrates its scale, story and impact on learners around the world.

“Google has been committed to ensuring that everyone can create opportunities with technology,” founder Lisa Gevelber developed with Google. “We provide Google Career Certificate Program with helping over a million people learn the skills they need to improve their career and job prospects.

Expand access and opportunities for everyone

The latest data from Google Impact reports* shows how these programs unlock opportunities for learners from all walks of life:

• One quarter are primary care workers.
• One in ten is a service member, military spouse or veteran.
• 40% of graduates of courses report unemployed or underemployed when starting the certificate program.
• 55% work full-time when they get a certificate.

*Based on the US Program Graduate Student Survey, 2024

Top Google Career Certificate on Coursera

With AI and big data, cybersecurity and technical literacy among the fastest growing skills, Coursera learners are preparing for these popular Google programs**:

**Based on global learner registration data in 2024

Accelerate AI learning

The U.S. job market is changing rapidly due to the increasing importance of artificial intelligence. To meet evolving workplace needs, all Google Career Certificates bring field-specific AI skills the same as new dedicated AI courses. Google AI Essentials is the most popular course on Coursera in 2024, with 91% of global graduates more confident in using the AI ​​skills taught in the course to complete workplace tasks, while 86% of global graduates say that the AI ​​skills taught in the course will increase their work productivity.^†

^†Refers to the global graduates and AI skills taught in the course

To help learners apply these skills while relocating their next career, all Google Career Certificates now include a new optional course. Accelerate your job search with AI.

Close the skill gap requires more than just exciting content. It requires unprecedented cooperation. Google Career Certificate is used by more than 800 U.S. universities and 2,000 businesses – with more than 150 employers actively working to consider hiring graduates.

This success triggered the movement. Today, 25 employers offer over 90 entry-level professional certificates modeled on these programs. Together we have built a more inclusive future of work – one learner at a time.

Join 1 million graduates to build career-friendly skills Google Career Certificate.