Arkansas partners with Google on digital and AI skills initiative

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas is partnering with Google to help grow digital skills and increase access to workforce training resources across the state by offering no-cost scholarships to its Google AI courses and Google Career Certificates.

Arkansans 18 and up can visit the Arkansas Department of Commerce’s website and sign up for a free scholarship and enroll in eligible programs. 

Google AI courses are five-hour, self-paced courses designed to provide training on generative AI tools, responsible AI use, and prompting. 

The Google Career Certificate program provides training in multiple career fields, including data analytics, project management, cybersecurity, IT support, user experience (UX) design, and digital marketing and e-commerce.

“Google is committed to creating economic opportunities in Arkansas,” said Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. “Through our collaboration with the state to provide our Google AI Essentials and Career Certificate programs to workers at no cost, we’re equipping the state’s workforce with the skills they need to seize exciting new career opportunities today and in the years to come.”

Governor Sarah Sanders announced the partnership during the unveiling of a new data center in West Memphis. 

“Google just announced a multi-billion-dollar investment to develop an advanced data center in West Memphis — one of the largest investments in our state’s history. As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves our economy, reshapes how we live and work, and transforms industries across all sectors,” said Governor Sanders. “This partnership with Google will give Arkansans the tools they need to thrive in tomorrow’s workplace, use AI safely, and fuel growth in our state’s technology ecosystem.”

These Google programs are industry-recognized credentials, and the company reports that over 70% of Google Career Certificate Program graduates have had positive career outcomes within six months of completing it. 

No prior experience is necessary to sign up, and you can complete the certificate program in an average of three to six months.

“Across the state, there are talented Arkansans who are ready to work for great companies. The new Grow with Google partnership will equip them with digital skills that will make them invaluable to companies growing in the Natural State,” said Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. “We thank Google for working with our state to make the Grow with Google partnership possible. This is an important step for taking our workforce to the next level.”

Visit the Department of Commerce’s Grow with Google webpage here to learn more or apply.