University of Nebraska and Google Launch Career Certificates Partnership This Week

Enrollment for the University of Nebraska’s new partnership offering Google Career Certificates in various fields is set to begin this week.

Starting June 19, NU students, alumni, and residents of Nebraska can initiate the application process via NU Advance for a range of self-paced, noncredit courses. Interim NU President Chris Kabourek mentioned that since the NU-Google collaboration announcement in April, over 1,000 individuals have already pre-registered, despite minimal marketing efforts.

According to Melissa Lee, NU’s chief communication officer, the total number of registrants reached 1,247 by Friday. Notably, 20% of these registrants are current NU students, while 40% are alumni, indicating a significant interest in further education among Nebraskans without ties to NU.

Regarding the initiative, Kabourek shared his thoughts with the Nebraska Examiner, stating, “I just think it solidifies what we thought, that Nebraskans are yearning for more skill sets and more education.”

In correspondence sent to pre-registrants on June 10, Ana Lopez Shalla, the lead for NU’s microcredentials, provided resources and guidance for completing the minicourses. She emphasized that registrants play a crucial role in advancing their own careers and impacting the regional workforce positively.

A total of 2,500 seats will be available for each of the three Google Career Certificates sessions scheduled for the upcoming year (starting in August, December, and April). Enrollment will remain open until July 31, with the courses in the first session commencing the following day.

Notably, NU announced a special inaugural enrollment rate of $20 in April, emphasizing the partnership’s focus on creating opportunities rather than revenue generation. The funds will primarily cover expenses and any required technological resources.

The Google Career Certificates program will include six foundational and three advanced certificates, encompassing fields such as cybersecurity, IT support, data analytics, digital marketing, project management, user experience design, IT automation with Python, advanced data analytics, and business intelligence.

Looking ahead, Kabourek, who will revert to his role as NU’s chief financial officer on July 1, emphasized the importance of reconnecting the university with Nebraskans. He aims to visit high schools in the fall to strengthen ties with the local community.

As a native of David City, a rural Nebraska town, Kabourek underscored the university’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to all Nebraskans, regardless of their family circumstances or location.

“We never want your ability to go get your education or develop your skill sets or enhance your resume to be limited by your family situation or your location,” Kabourek affirmed.