Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced its participation in the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program. The initiative helps Black college students at over 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) prepare for the workforce through digital skills training and career workshops. Through a $3 million investment in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the program will train 100,000 Black college students by 2025.
“Florida A&M University is honored to be selected as a Google HBCU Career Readiness partner. Career and Professional Development is a staple at FAMU and this opportunity for our students to become even more competitive via certifications, is a value add to the University. As students prepare for the workforce, certifications are becoming a hot topic in higher education and we are proud to partner with Google to make this a reality,” said Bill H. Means, Ed.D., director of the FAMU Career and Professional Development Center, who thanked Google for “this wonderful opportunity.”
TMCF, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, has a track record of successfully connecting HBCU students with scholarships, training and jobs as they navigate college and careers. Its long history of on-the-ground work ensures the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program is tailored to meet student needs.
“A central part of the mission of TMCF is to prepare the next generation of workforce talent. Our partnership with Google enables this mission and ensures students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are positioned to compete for meaningful careers,” said TMCF President and CEO Harry L. Williams, Ph.D.
Started in 2020, the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program provides HBCU career centers with funding and a semester-long in-person and online digital skills program. The program combines existing Grow with Google workshops with custom job seeker content for Black students, including design thinking, project management, and professional brand building. TMCF, which contributes to the program’s design, works with HBCU career centers to onboard the program.
Grow with Google is Google’s initiative to create economic opportunities for all by providing free tools and training. Since 2017, the program has trained more than eight million Americans on digital skills. The Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program builds on the company’s ongoing investments in HBCU students. Since 2013, the Google In Residence program has placed Google software engineers at HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) as faculty. The company also hosts Tech Exchange, a virtual student exchange program that teaches HBCU and HSU students applied computer science courses.
“Every student should have the opportunity to learn digital skills for today’s in-demand jobs,” said Tia McLaurin, Google Community Engagement manager. “We’re proud to work with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to bring the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program to Florida A & M University to help more students prepare for the workforce and thrive as they start their careers.”
For more information on Grow with Google’s HBCU Career Readiness program, please visit this website.
