Google has announced that it is coming to cities and towns throughout Connecticut as part of the tech company’s Grow with Google initiative to help create economic opportunity in communities across the United States. Google will kick-start this work locally by hosting free, one-day events in three libraries to help job seekers, small business owners, students, educators and entrepreneurs improve their digital skills.
The first Grow with Google event will be held on Monday, February 11, from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, at Hartford Public Library’s Albany Library, 1250 Albany Avenue, Hartford. Similar events are scheduled at the New Haven Free Public Library on February 13 and the Public Library of New London on February 15.
“We are looking forward to helping even more people in our community through the Grow with Google initiative. Ensuring that our community residents and entrepreneurs have access to the internet, and to the digital content resources they need to be successful in their education, career and life is a critical role of Hartford Public Library,” said Bridget Quinn-Carey, Hartford Public Library’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Connecticut is one of our country’s most historic centers of innovation, entrepreneurship and manufacturing. By bringing the ‘Grow with Google’ tour to the state, we are making a commitment to help develop a skilled workforce that can meet the needs of the Constitution State’s growing economy,” said Erica Swanson, Google’s Head of Community Engagement.
“Small businesses and startups are vital to the success of Hartford, and are the backbone of a strong urban core with thriving neighborhoods and a top quality of life for our residents,” said Julio A. Concepción, Executive Director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce. “Grow with Google brings an international brand to our city to work with entrepreneurs and enhance the way they do business on a daily basis while contributing to the economic development of Hartford.”
In recognition that libraries are increasingly centers for digital skills learning, Grow with Google plans visit libraries in every state, partnering with them to deliver digital skills trainings directly to job-seekers and small businesses in their community. We will also train library staff and nonprofit leaders on a range of Grow with Google’s free tools and curriculum they can use on a daily basis.
Google staff will lead hands-on workshops about online marketing for small businesses, search engine optimization, email basics and coding. Attendees can also sign up for one-on-one training with Google staff, and tour demo booths to learn more about Google’s free products for learners and small businesses. Attendees are welcome to drop in for a few sessions or stay all day.
Google is partnering with Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Hartford Public Library, New Haven Free Public Library, and Public Library of New London as well as the American Library Association to ensure that Connecticut residents across the state have ongoing access to free digital-skills, tools and resources for job-seekers, small businesses and more. Following the Grow with Google event, Google will explore ongoing partnership opportunities with area organizations to help with job training and developing digital skills.
Google launched Grow with Google in October of 2017. The American initiative draws on Google’s 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, Google aims to help everyone across America – those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow – access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.
Specifically, Grow with Google aims to help address the skills gap by preparing Americans for middle-skill jobs, positions that require some skills but not four year degrees. According to the National Middle Skills Initiative, middle skills jobs account to 49% of Connecticut’s labor force. A recent study by Burning Glass and Capital One found that more than 8 in 10 middle-skill jobs (82%) require digital skills. Overall, middle-skill jobs average $20 per hour.
In their 2017 Economic Impact Report, Google announced that 14,000 businesses in Connecticut generated $4.13 billion in economic activity by using Google’s search and advertising tools. The full report details Google’s economic impact state-by-state, and features the stories of businesses fueling that growth, creating job opportunities, and transforming their communities.
According to the American Library Association, nearly three-quarters of public libraries assist their patrons with job applications and interviewing skills, 90% help their patrons learn basic digital skills, and just under half provide access and assistance to entrepreneurs looking to start a business of their own.
To learn more about the free event and to register, visit g.co/growconnecticut . Space will be limited; so please register in advance.
