Google Brings Economic Opportunity Initiative, ‘Grow With Google,’ To Colorado
Today, Google announced that it is coming to cities throughout Colorado as part of the tech company’s ‘Grow with Google’ initiative. The initiative aims to help create economic opportunity in communities across the United States by training Americans on free Google tools and resources designed to help them find the jobs they want, advance their careers, and grow their businesses. Google will kickstart 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.
Colorado tour dates, cities and locations include:
August 19, 2019: High Plains Library District – Farr Regional Library
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
1939 61st Ave, Greeley, CO 80634
August 21, 2019: Boulder Public Library
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
1001 Arapahoe Ave Boulder, CO
August 23, 2019: Pueblo City-County Library District, Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
100 Abriendo Ave. Pueblo, CO
“Colorado is ranked as one of the top 10 states for starting a business, and industries such as healthcare, IT and energy are growing their Colorado workforce exponentially. We’re happy to bring ‘Grow with Google’ to Colorado, one of our home states, and to continue helping to develop a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the state’s growing economy, while ensuring Colorado remains a great place for entrepreneurs,” said Lauren Lambert, Google’s Head of External Affairs for the Southwest U.S.
In recognition that libraries have become centers for digital skills learning, ‘Grow with Google’ plans to visit libraries in every state, partnering with them to deliver digital skills trainings directly to community jobseekers and small businesses. 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.
“Boulder Public Library supports adult education and digital literacy to transform lives and strengthen our community. BPL is a destination for human connection, life-long learning, civic engagement, and creative exploration. We’re pleased to partner with Grow with Google to support small businesses and job seekers with 1:1 mentor and workshop opportunities to expand online access and enhance digital skills,” said David Farnan, Library and Arts Director at Boulder Public Library.
“We are thrilled to team up with Google in bringing their world-class digital literacy expertise in-person to our community. Strong digital skills have never been more important and our local library is well poised to support Grow with Google in Pueblo. We welcome Google to Pueblo and are grateful for their help in advancing our local workforce and small businesses,” said Jon Walker, Executive Director of Pueblo City-County Library District.
“In today’s technology driven age, it is vital that everyone, from jobseekers to entrepreneurs, develop and expand upon their virtual skills. The High Plains Library District is invested in helping the Greeley community increase digital literacy,” said Executive Director, Dr. Matthew Hortt. “Partnering to bring Grow with Google to our community is an amazing opportunity to do this. We are excited to host the event and help our patrons grow their skills.”
Throughout the day Google staff will teach a variety of hands-on workshops aimed to provide local businesses and residents with tools and resources to find the jobs they want, advance their careers and grow their businesses. Local nonprofits – libraries, government agencies, educational institutions and more – will also be invited to join the ‘Grow with Google’ partner program and receive training on the initiatives, free tools and curriculum so that they can continue to share resources with their patrons and customers. Attendees are welcome to drop in for a few sessions or stay all day and, outside of the specific workshops, can sign up for one-on-one 20 minute training sessions with Google staff.
Google is partnering with community organizations to spread the word about the events. Following the Grow with Google event, Google will explore ongoing partnership opportunities with area organizations to help with job training and developing digital skills.
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 50% of the Colorado 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 2018 Economic Impact Report, Google announced that 39,000 businesses in Colorado generated
$4.77 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.
To learn more about the free event and to register, visit g.co/growcolorado. Space will be limited; so please register in advance.
About ‘Grow with Google’
‘Grow with Google’ is a new initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans. The program draws on Google’s 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, we aim 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. For more information, please visit google.com/grow.
About The High Plains Library District
The High Plains Library District connects communities to information, inspiration and entertainment for life. HPLD includes libraries in Greeley, Evans, Firestone, Erie, Kersey, Ault, Eaton, Johnstown, Platteville, Hudson, Fort Lupton and Gilcrest.
Carbon Valley Regional Library • Centennial Park Library • Eaton Public Library • Erie Community Library • Farr Regional Library • Fort Lupton Public & School Library • Glenn A. Jones, M.D. Memorial Library • Hudson Public Library • Kersey Library • Lincoln Park Library • Nantes Library • Northern Plains Public Library • Outreach • Platteville Public Library •Riverside Library and Cultural Center (Evans)
1-888-861-READ (7323) • www.MyLibrary.us