Workforce Readiness

U Illinois Gies College of Business Develops Microcredential Pathways with Google

• By Rhea Kelly
• 11/22/21

The University of Illinois Gies College of Business is partnering with Google to bundle certificate programs in job-ready skills and create microcredential pathways for adult learners. Learners now can complete any of the Google Career Certificates along with Gies' Professional Success Skills Certificate to receive a dual badge of completion. All courses for the certificate programs are delivered on the Coursera platform.   

The Gies Professional Success Skills Certificate comprises four asynchronous courses, designed and taught by Gies faculty:

• Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives, focused on ethical dimensions and dilemmas in organizational decision-making;
• Teamwork and Creativity, for developing creative problem-solving skills as well as the ability to succeed in a team environment;
• Organizational Concepts and Language, to enhance business communication skills; and
• Leadership, for developing the skills to both appreciate and exhibit leadership.

The Google Career Certificates offer four program options: Google Data Analytics, Google IT Support, Google Project Management and Google UX Design. Each certificate requires learners to complete four to seven courses plus a hands-on capstone project for applying their skills in real-life scenarios. The courses are designed and taught by Google employees.

"The way we work is being disrupted in every single industry," commented Brooke Elliott, associate dean at Gies, in a statement. "Today, there are new demands on continuous learning, and a constant need to upskill to ensure that you're satisfied from a career perspective and that you have the skills necessary to be able to succeed in the jobs that are coming …. This partnership will enable learners to develop real, tangible knowledge and durable, transferable skills so they can achieve their personal and professional goals."