The Google IT Support Professional Certificate

IT support is a dynamic, fast-growing field which is projected to grow 11% between 2016 and 2026 — faster than the average of all other occupations. And the median salary is $52,000 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

In the United States alone, there are currently 150,000 open IT support roles as more and more people use technology for some part of their work. But sometimes things go wrong — hardware breaks, networks go down, systems fail — and when they do, it’s vital to have team members who know what to do.

At Google, the challenge we faced in finding qualified candidates to join our own IT support team inspired the creation of a new training program. Now we’re using the training we implemented at Google as the basis for the IT Support Certificate. No tech experience or college degree is necessary.

In this program, you’ll engage with a dynamic mix of hands-on labs and interactive assessments, all developed by Googlers. This certificate program introduces you to troubleshooting and customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security — all the fundamentals of IT support that are critical for success in the workplace. And, throughout the program, you’ll hear directly from Googlers whose own foundation in IT support served as a jumping off point for their careers.

Completing the program and earning the certificate is an important first step, and you’ll also be supported in the next step — the job search.

Once you complete the program, you can opt in to share your information directly with top employers hiring for IT support jobs including Bank of America, Cognizant, GE Digital, H&R Block, Hulu, Infosys, Intel, Kforce, MCPc, PNC Bank, RICOH USA, Sprint, TEKSystems, UPMC, Veterans United Home Loans, Walmart and their companies: Allswell, Bonobos, Hayneedle, Jet, Modcloth, Moosejaw, Sam’s Club, Shoes.com, Store No. 8, Vudu and of course, Google.

We worked with Coursera to offer the training program at a reduced rate of $49 per month. And to ensure that more people have access to the program, we’ve provided financial support to more than 10,000 learners. As part of that commitment, Google.org is providing need-based scholarships through nonprofits that serve underrepresented communities, including a $2.5 million grant to the United Service Organizations (USO) to provide training and career guidance for transitioning military personnel, military spouses, and veterans. The grant will enable USO to incorporate the Google IT Support Professional Certificate into their programming. We’ve also provided scholarships to  Student Veterans of America. Learn more about our commitment to help service members transition into civilian jobs here.

Starting this fall, we’re bringing the certificate to more than 25 community colleges in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, California, and New York. Through a grant from Google.org, JFF, a leading workforce development nonprofit is helping community colleges integrate the Google IT Support Professional Certificate into their IT offerings, so that it aligns with the skills that employers are looking for. With these skills, students can jump start their careers in IT Support.

In addition to integrating with community colleges, completers of the IT Support Professional Certificate who are interested in pursuing advanced IT learning, can earn up to 12 credits towards an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology through Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies. This will help open up additional pathways to learners who are interested in higher education, and prepare them for jobs in the broader IT and technology field, beyond IT Support.