Google Canada is providing a $2.5 million grant to NPower Canada to help 5,000 job seekers develop technical skills

NPower Canadaa national employment initiative that provides job training has received a CA$2.5 million grant from Google Canada to help 5,000 job seekers pursue careers in technology.

This contribution will enable NPower Canada to continue to integrate Google Career Certificates into its online development programs for job seekers.

NPower reported that 80 percent of its graduates find employment and/or enroll in further education within six months of graduation.

Founded in 2001 in New York City, NPower offers its programs free of charge to its participants and opens up new career opportunities for them. Graduates of the programs also receive ongoing support and coaching. The Canadian division was established in Ontario in 2014.

Google’s certificate programs prepare employees for challenging careers in growing technology sectors that do not require a degree or relevant experience. The company formed its partnership with NPower Canada in 2020 and has since invested a total of approximately $7 million in maintaining that partnership.

Over the past three years, NPower’s grant-based programs have incorporated Google’s IT Support Professional and UX Design certifications. Meanwhile, expanded alumni offerings include Google’s IT automation with Python, project management, and data analysis certifications.

RELATED: Google pledges $2 million to prepare young Canadian workers from underserved communities for tech careers

In 2021, Google Canada also formed a collective $600,000 Commitment to provide free digital skills training to Indigenous job seekers across Canada, including access to certificate courses offered through NPower.

According to NPower Canada, 80 percent of graduates are employed and/or enrolled in further education within six months of completing a program.

NPower is just one of several organizations in Canada working with Google to provide scholarships for their career certificates. Last year, Google also partnered with Digital High Street, Canada Learning Code, ComIT, La Maison de l’Amitié and AIM CROIT.

Featured image courtesy of NPower Canada.