Laurel residents could soon have an opportunity to develop new career skills, improve their employment prospects and earn professional credentials at no cost through a partnership involving the town, Google and the Delaware Department of Labor.

Town Manager Jamie Smith announced during the Oct. 19 Laurel Mayor and Council meeting that the town’s participation in the “Grow with Google” initiative has been approved, making 100 career training certificates available through the program.

Smith said the town has worked toward implementing the initiative for more than a year and is now awaiting approval of promotional materials before advertising enrollment opportunities.

The program is part of a statewide workforce development partnership announced Aug. 19 by the Delaware Department of Labor. The initiative provides Delaware residents with free access to Google Career Certificates and artificial intelligence training designed to prepare individuals for employment in occupations requiring digital and technical skills.

Laurel is among several communities and organizations designated as participating technology hubs. Other partners include Delaware Libraries, Delaware State University, Sussex Technical High School, the Polytech School District and various educational and workforce development organizations.

Through these local partnerships, the state hopes to make professional training more accessible to residents who may not have the financial resources, time or opportunity to pursue traditional college or technical education.

Google Career Certificates are online training programs developed by Google professionals to teach practical skills needed for entry-level employment in several growing career fields.

The programs do not require a college degree or previous experience in the subject being studied. Participants can complete the training at their own pace, generally within three to six months of part-time study.

Courses are offered through Coursera, an online educational platform that allows students to access instructional videos, reading materials, assignments and practical exercises using a computer or other internet-connected device.

Because the training is conducted online, participants can work toward certification around their existing employment schedules and family responsibilities without attending regularly scheduled classroom sessions.

Available career pathways include cybersecurity, data analytics, information technology support, project management, digital marketing and e-commerce, and user experience design.

Cybersecurity instruction focuses on protecting computer systems and sensitive information from unauthorized access and other digital threats. Information technology support training prepares participants to troubleshoot computer problems and assist businesses and organizations with their technology needs.

Data analytics courses teach students how to collect, organize and interpret information to help employers make business decisions, while project management instruction focuses on coordinating personnel, schedules, budgets and other resources necessary to complete projects.

Digital marketing and e-commerce training addresses online advertising, internet sales and customer engagement. User experience design teaches participants how to develop websites and digital applications that are easier and more effective for consumers to use.

The statewide initiative also includes artificial intelligence (AI) training intended to familiarize participants with emerging technologies increasingly used in business, education and other occupations.

Each certificate program consists of a series of courses that combine instruction with practical assignments. Participants who successfully complete the required coursework receive a Google professional certificate documenting their achievement.

The credential can be included on resumes and employment applications or displayed on professional networking profiles to demonstrate acquired skills to prospective employers.

Although the certificates are not equivalent to college degrees and do not guarantee employment, they are designed to help individuals qualify for entry-level positions and demonstrate professional competencies recognized by participating employers.

Google has established an employer consortium of more than 150 companies, including Walmart, Verizon and Google, that have committed to considering Career Certificate graduates for relevant employment opportunities.

The Delaware Department of Labor reports that more than one million people worldwide have completed Google Career Certificate programs since their introduction in 2018, including more than 400,000 participants in the United States.

According to the state, more than 70 percent of graduates surveyed reported a positive career impact within six months of completing their training, including obtaining a new job, receiving a promotion or earning higher wages.

Delaware Secretary of Labor LaKresha Moultrie said the state’s partnership with Google is intended to remove barriers to professional development by providing free, flexible training that residents can complete on their own schedules.

For Laurel, the initiative could be particularly beneficial to individuals seeking career changes, additional qualifications or employment opportunities beyond the immediate community.

Smith noted that some of the skills offered through the program could help residents pursue work-from-home employment, providing additional possibilities for individuals who face transportation challenges or prefer employment arrangements that allow them to work remotely.

The town’s role will include helping interested individuals gain access to the available training opportunities.

Smith explained that prospective participants will register for the program, after which town officials will receive an electronic notification requesting authorization. Once approved, the individual will be able to proceed with the training.

The 100 certificates allocated to Laurel will provide a limited number of participants with access to professional training that ordinarily requires a paid subscription when obtained independently.

The town has prepared promotional materials describing the opportunity, but those materials must receive approval through the Delaware Department of Labor and Google before they can be distributed.

Smith said the draft advertisement has been submitted for review and that approval could take several weeks.

Once authorization is received, the town plans to announce registration procedures and provide additional information about participation.

The program represents an opportunity for the town to participate in a broader economic development effort that focuses on preparing residents for employment in an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

Additional enrollment details, including eligibility requirements and registration instructions, are expected to be announced following approval of the town’s promotional materials.