Google Career Certificates are flexible online learning programs created with the user in mind.
These programs help you to gain job-ready skills in high-growth career fields with no previous experience or degree qualifications required.
Courses such as these are helpful for professionals looking to expand upon or gain knowledge in a particular field.
Google created these courses in fields they consider to be high-growth as they found there to be a lack of skills and experience in certain fields when hiring for their own company.
Here we will review whether are google certificates worth it or not (see also ‘Are Certificates Worth It?‘).
How Does It Work?
To be able to take part in Google certifications you must have a Google account as you’ll need to sign in to access course content and assessments.
Once you’ve logged in you can search through the many courses on offer using filters to adjust your search requirements. This includes different experience levels, free certifications, and the area of study.
Google has collaborated with Coursera to supply these courses entirely online.
Course Material
Enrolling in a course is as simple as clicking a button and you can start right away.
During the course, you will watch a number of educational videos and readings. Graded quizzes and assessments are also included which will help to strengthen your learning.
A number of hands-on projects are also a course requirement, meaning you can build your own portfolio that showcases your skills to employers.
What Courses Can I Take?
You can take many different online courses with Google, including Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, Project Management, and UX Design.
On the whole, there are over 50 different certifications on offer, so there is something for everyone.
Google’s ‘Project Management is considered to be the best overall course offered on the platform.
The best free course available from the platform is thought to be the “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing”.
How Long Will It Take To Earn A Certificate?
On average, the majority of certification courses take between three to six months to complete.
Data from Google suggests that most users take about ten weeks to complete each course. However, as these courses are completed online at one’s own pace, completion times vary.
Those with more time on their hands can expect to finish their course much quicker than someone who is learning around a full-time job for example.
Are Google Certificates Useful To Get A Job?
Yes, Google Certificates are useful in getting a new job!
Once you have completed your Google certification, you can add this to your CV or LinkedIn profile to demonstrate to prospective employers that you’re skilled in a specific field or industry.
This can be especially useful if you’re breaking into a new industry or are looking for some relevant experience.
Although employers won’t hire you simply because of the certificate, it can help you to dominate the interview process with industry knowledge and will demonstrate to your employer that you’re serious about the job.
Completing one of the courses may also help with career progression as developing new skills can lead to a new role.
How Much Do Google Certificates Cost?
The prices of courses vary depending on the content. The IT Support, IT Automation, UX Design, and Project Management courses are all on Coursera for $39 a month.
This means that if you take three months to finish a course, you’ll have to pay $39 three times.
Once the course is complete you’ll have access to it forever without any additional payments.
Other courses such as Associate Android Developer Certification are completely free during the training, but you’ll have to pay a $149 fee per certification exam attempt.
Financial Aid
There are financial aid and Scholarship options available for those who cannot afford a course.
Learners that take this route will be able to access all the course content and complete the work required to earn a certificate.
Applications must be filled out to receive financial aid or a Scholarship which requires you to disclose information about your finances.
Free Trials
With certain courses such as ‘Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate’ you can receive a free 7-day trial upon subscription.
At this point, you can cancel your trial and receive your money back if you don’t think the course will be beneficial for you.
Free Courses
Google aims to be as accessible as possible by providing a number of free courses that anyone can benefit from as long as they have a Google account.
Digital Garage’s ‘Fundamentals of Digital Marketing is one of the most popular free courses that come with a certification. It includes 26 modules which take around forty hours to complete.
Are The Certifications Worth It?
Google Certifications are worth investing in as you could end up employed in a new job with a significantly higher salary, or perhaps use your new skills to negotiate a raise or even a higher position within your company altogether.
There is also a certain level of career support with the ‘Grow With Google’ plan as they have partnered with a variety of high-profile companies to create the best career opportunities for those who complete their certificates.
Companies such as Deloitte, Verizon, Bayer, and Bank of America have all committed to hiring those who have completed these certifications.
Educating yourself and developing your skills within your industry will always benefit you. Some jobs may even require you to have a Google certification in today’s market.
Closing Thoughts
As with anything you buy online, you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible and are going to benefit from your purchase.
With Google’s large number of certification programs, there is something for everyone with help and support available for those that want to upskill themselves but are finding it hard to do that financially.
Google’s certifications are worth the money and could be an excellent opportunity for learners to get themselves a new job.
