Visiting Google presenters and coaches hosted free Grow With Google workshops recently at the Martin Library, with on-site instruction provided to local jobseekers and small businesses on integral digital skills needed in today's business environment. Grow With Google, the tech company's initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans, has been touring the state delivering digital skills events.
Google worked with the York County Libraries, York County Economic Alliance, and Shippensburg Small Business Development Center to attract workshop attendees and promote the role of small businesses and digitally savvy workers in York's current and future economic success. Mayor Helfrich and Department of Education Deputy Secretary and Commissioner of Library Services Glenn Miller were on-site at the recent event in support of the digital training efforts.
Workshops focused on digital skills that help people prepare for or find a job, as well as topics like data analytics and free search listings that can help small businesses grow. One-on-one coaching sessions also took place with personal instruction on spreadsheets and other tools.
Grow With Google has been on a national tour in partnership with America's libraries. The tour is slated to host digital skills workshops in libraries in all 50 states and will aim to support libraries' digital skills offerings on an ongoing basis. Three quarters of public libraries assist patrons with job applications and interviewing skills, and 90 percent offer basic digital skills training.
To extend the reach of the tour, the Grow With Google Partner Program was launched to empower nonprofits, libraries, government agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations with a range of digital skills resources. Organizations apply to the program and once accepted can use it as a hub for training content, tools, and promotional materials. Partners can leverage customized toolkits for getting started, hosting trainings, and sharing Grow With Google programs and resources with their community.
Pennsylvania libraries are able to apply for funds to kickstart their own digital skills programming. Grow With Google has committed $1 million in micro grants to libraries across the country through the partnership with the American Library Association.
For more information, readers may visit http://www.google.com/grow.
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