Queens College announced a partnership with Google to invest $25,000 to train Latino students in digital skills through the Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program.
The nationwide program helps students at 35 Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) prepare for the workforce through various training and career workshops. The program, which launched in January, provides semester-long, in-person and online digital skills workshops.
Lucy Pinto, marketing manager for Grow with Google, said that to drive economic equity, it’s essential to invest in accessible workforce training for Latino students.
“Google believes the opportunities created by technology must truly be available to everyone,” Pinto said. “We’re living in an increasingly digital economy. Two-thirds of all jobs will require digital skills by 2030, but the Latino community is significantly underrepresented in fields requiring these skills.”
This free program is open to any students at the school, and Queens College is free to make additional material tailored to their students’ needs.
Queens College — which has a Latino population of 28.6% — was able to bring this program to its students through a grant provided by Google. Google is investing $2 million to hopefully train 200,000 Latino students across the country by 2025.
Zavi Gunn, director of the Center for Career Engagement and Internships at Queens College, said this program will cover everything students need to know before entering the working world.
“Students will take responsibility for their own learning through the self-guided, training videos which include resume writing, interview prep, imposter syndrome, digital skills, explore career paths, networking, job search and success in a new job tips,” Gunn said. “The supplemental program with Google and HACU HSI is preparing and advancing our students professional and digital skills in a global workforce.”
The career readiness program is able to prepare students for any field they wish to enter, from engineering to psychology.
Google has dedicated over $35 million to date to expand economic opportunities for the Latino community.
