Thursday, March 21, 2019
Google launched a new workforce development initiative in 2017 called Grow with Google to deliver in-person training for job seekers, small businesses, and library staff across the country. This year, Google will visit all 50 states, including Wisconsin, to deliver these trainings. Grant funding will also be available to individual libraries as part of this initiative.
Grow with Google is a suite of free, online tools and trainings created by Google aimed at workforce development. This suite of resources is aimed at six audiences: students and teachers, small business owners, job seekers, startups, veterans, and software developers. Google staff will travel throughout the country to provide trainings on how to use these resources as a way to promote these tools and trainings. This training started last year and Google discovered that visits to library locations had the biggest impact and highest attendance. They subsequently shifted their strategy to exclusively visit libraries in 2019.
As part of their focus on libraries, Google partnered with the Public Library Association (PLA) division of ALA to better work with local libraries and state library agencies. Trainings at libraries will be full day events. The morning will be reserved for library staff and will be focused on helping libraries support their users in using Grow with Google resources. If your library isn’t selected as a training location, you can attend or send staff members to these trainings. The afternoon will be open for the general public to get training on Grow with Google resources. Registration will be available once visits in Wisconsin are scheduled and will be offered at no cost.
In addition to hands-on training, Google and PLA are offering grants to local libraries to build on workforce development activities already happening at their libraries by incorporating at least one Grow with Google resource. Applications that include outcome measurement, partnerships, and a focus on equity, diversity, or inclusion will have the best chance of receiving funding. Visit the PLA grant page for more information, eligibility requirements, and details about the application process. The grant application window will open the first day Google visits Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s Grow with Google visit hasn’t yet been scheduled. States are generally given 6-8 weeks advance notice before the visits and DPI will work with PLA and selected libraries to coordinate these activities. Keep reading the Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone blog for more details. We will share additional information and selected locations once we hear from Google and PLA.