Norfolk State University announced recently that the historically Black college and university (HBCU) has joined Grow with Google’s HBCU Career Readiness Program. Through a $3 million investment in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the partnership plans to train 100,000 Black college students by 2025.

TMCF 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 Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Starting in 2020, the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program has provided HBCU career centers with funding and a semester-long in-person and online digital skills program. The program helps college students at over 30 HBCUs prepare for the workforce through digital skills training and career workshops.

“I’m pleased to see Norfolk State University join Google’s Career Readiness Program,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott in a statement. “This program demonstrates the power of direct employer investment in workforce training: schools gain the funding they need to scale their training programs, workers gain the skills they need for in-demand jobs, and employers get a direct pipeline of talent to fill their open positions.”

The program combines existing Grow with Google workshops with job seeker content, 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.

Norfolk State University dean and professor of interdisciplinary studies, Khadijah O. Miller, said through this partnership supported by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, NSU Spartans will increase their competitiveness in a complex digital world.

Since Grow with Google’s inception, it has helped more than eight million Americans develop new skills. Grow with Google has a network of more than 8,500 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to help people coast-to-coast.

“Every student should have the opportunity to learn digital skills for today’s in-demand jobs,” said Tia McLaurin, community engagement manager, Google. “We’re proud to work with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to bring the Grow with Google Career Readiness Program to Norfolk State University to help more students prepare for the workforce and thrive as they start their careers.”