July 30th (UPI) – Goodwill Industries partners with Google to train 200,000 people with American artificial intelligence skills.
Helping people find jobs, Goodwill offers Google's AI Essentials courses for free, the nonprofit said in a news release.
Google debuted its course in 2024.
Goodwill has been offering Google's digital skills program since 2017, with over 400,000 Americans in paying jobs.
New courses are available to everyone, including Goodwill employees and those using Goodwill Nonprofit Career Support. There are 150 local goodwill organizations that provide support, including employment placement and vocational training.
Those under the age of 18 must be supervised adult while attending the course.
The 10-hour AI Essentials course teaches you how to effectively use generated AI in your daily tasks.
This includes practical and practical experiences, including video, reading and interactive exercises. Activities include Chat GPT, Copilot, and Gemini.
Once the course is completed, participants will obtain a certificate from Google.
“At Goodwill, we believe that providing the right skills to people opens the door to opportunities,” Steve Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, said in a statement. “AI is transforming the workplace, and thanks to support from Google.org, we are enabling individuals to gain the knowledge they need to thrive in this digital age.”
The goodwill of the news release said 86% of graduates say the AI skills taught in the course will make them more productive and/or efficient at their work. 80% say these skills improve overall job performance.
Applications are available on the Goodwill website.
“Google is proud to continue its long-standing collaboration with Goodwill and help more people access local training for paying jobs,” Google.org said. “The provision of Google's AI Essentials courses at Goodwill will allow more individuals to advance financial mobility and prepare them for today and tomorrow's work.”
The Google organization has an investment portfolio of over $150 million, aimed at increasing access to education and economic opportunities.
Goodwill is also partnering with Comcast on digital literacy and workforce development.
Founded in 1902, Goodwill sells donated items in more than 3,300 locations in the US and Canada.
Methodist minister Edgar J. Helms gathered items in the wealthier parts of Boston, trained and hired the poor, and repaired second-hand items.
The company's philosophy is “hand-up, not hand-out materials.”
