Grow with Google, which aims to provide training, tools, and expertise to Americans, has launched new certificates the company developed to connect people to employers who are hiring. Google says its Google Career Certificates offer job-ready skills to start or advance your career in high-demand fields. The courses are 100% online, and there are no in-person requirements.

The featured Google Career Certificate available now is IT Support Specialist. According to Grow with Google, 61% of learners enrolled in this course do not have a four-year degree, and the average learner completes the IT support program in three-to-six months. Click here for more information on the IT Support Certificate.

Other Google Career Certificates in the pipeline include the:

Data Analyst certificate, which helps learners use tools and platforms to process, analyze, visualize and gain insights from data

Project Manager certificate, which focuses on the foundations of traditional project management, while also offering insight into agile project management

UX Designer certificate, which teaches learners the foundations of UX design and research, building low-fidelity designs and wireframes, creating high-fidelity prototypes, and testing.

Google says courses take about six months to complete and grants and scholarships will be available. Click here for information.

Earlier this year, Microsoft launched a similar initiative to help people acquire more digital skills.

In a June 30 blog post, Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president for technology and society, announced that the initiative will  combine new and existing resources from LinkedIn, GitHub, and Microsoft.

The company aims to offer the use of data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them; free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills these positions require; low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools to help people who develop these skills pursue new jobs.

Free access to learning paths and comprehensive resources will help people develop the skills needed for in-demand jobs, such as

• Software Developer
• Sales Representative
• Project Manager
• IT administrator
• Customer Service Specialist
• Digital Marketing Specialist
• IT Support / Help Desk
• Data Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Graphic Designers

According to Smith, LinkedIn Learning paths aligned with each of these roles are available free of charge through the end of March 2021. Each learning path includes a sequence of video content designed to help job seekers develop the core skills needed for each role. Each learning path is currently available in English, French, Spanish, and German.

In addition, Microsoft and LinkedIn will continue to provide on-ramps for people from nontraditional backgrounds to successfully transition from learning skills to landing a job.

This will include the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy, or MSSA, which provides transitioning U.S. service members and veterans with technology skills.

It also includes Leap, which Microsoft launched in 2015 to recruit, develop, up skill non-traditional talent, and create a connection to jobs in the tech industry.

And it includes REACH, which is a multi-year engineering apprenticeship program at LinkedIn.

“We believe we can combine the best in technology with stronger partnerships with governments and nonprofits. Together we can better serve people, filling jobs and creating opportunities for individuals around the world. We should all aspire to turn a year that had a bleak beginning into a decade that has a bright finish. We bring a long-term determination and a commitment to do our part,” Smith wrote.