All residents of North Carolina are now able to learn essential job skills in high-growth fields thanks to a partnership between Google and NC LIVE. The Grow with Google program enables North Carolina residents to earn professional certificates in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, and project management at no cost through their local library or academic institution.
“This exciting partnership is a welcome investment in our state’s most important asset, our people, by connecting them to education and training that they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, who co-chairs both the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships and the North Carolina AI Leadership Council. “Through North Carolina’s First in Opportunity Plan, we are focused on strengthening our talent pipeline while leveraging statewide coordination and innovation to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.”
In support of the State of North Carolina AI Leadership Council’s Statewide AI Strategic Roadmap, this partnership helps to equip North Carolina workers, job seekers, and local businesses with the digital and AI skills needed to thrive in today’s changing economy. Participants in the program will have access to Google Career Certificates and AI Courses, which are designed to help learners build job-ready digital skills for the evolving workforce.
Launched in 2017, Grow with Google’s Career Certificates supports upskilling in high-demand fields, including AI, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, IT Support, Project Management, and UX Design. These online, part-time programs require no degree or prior experience. Additionally, more than 150 top companies, including Lowe’s, Wells Fargo, and Google, use these certificates for hiring or upskilling.
“At Grow with Google, we believe everyone should have flexible, accessible pathways to build great careers,” said Lisa Gevelber, Founder of Grow with Google. “Through our partnership with NC LIVE, we’re thrilled to make AI training available to all residents at no cost, empowering North Carolinians with the tools to grow their skills, careers and businesses.”
Over 92% of jobs now require digital skills, yet nearly one in three workers lacks the foundational training needed to qualify for them (Source: National Skills Coalition). To help bridge that gap, Google created the Google Career Certificates. According to Google, over 1.5 million people globally, including over 400,000 in the United States, have graduated from Google Career Certificates. Over 70% of certificate graduates report a positive career impact within six months of completion, such as a new job, higher pay, or a promotion.
”Libraries are community centers where people can connect with resources and information to achieve their goals,” said Michelle Underhill, Director of the Library of NC, a Division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Whether people want to learn new skills to obtain different jobs or careers or want to apply new skills to their current jobs, this will be a tremendous resource to support both AI-readiness and digital skills in North Carolina. By having Grow with Google available through NC LIVE, North Carolina residents will be able to engage with these programs through all public and academic libraries, as well as the Library of NC.”
“This initiative directly aligns with NC LIVE’s mission to provide equal access to high-quality online resources for all North Carolinians, including job-readiness resources,” said Claire Leverett, Executive Director of NC LIVE. “We’re thrilled to offer this program to all residents through their local library or academic institution, empowering learners to build new skills, connect with exciting opportunities, and thrive in today’s economy.”
The program will be facilitated by NC LIVE, North Carolina’s statewide library cooperative. In addition to Grow with Google, NC LIVE purchases access to premium digital resources for workforce development, continuing education, and business support for all North Carolinians through a statewide partnership between the UNC System, the NC Community College System, the NC Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), and the public libraries via the Library of North Carolina.
To learn more about the Grow with Google program and sign up, please visit: nclive.org/grow-with-google
About NC LIVE
NC LIVE is North Carolina’s statewide library cooperative, supporting 200+ public and academic libraries across North Carolina. Since its founding in 1997, NC LIVE has saved the state millions through innovation and collaborative efforts. NC LIVE is a strategic collaboration across four statewide systems: NC Community College System, UNC System, NC Independent Colleges & Universities, and all public libraries through the Library of North Carolina.
About Grow with Google
Grow with Google started in 2017 to help Americans grow their skills, careers and businesses. Since its inception, Grow with Google has helped more than 13 million Americans develop new skills through a network of more than 9,000 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce and nonprofits.